The 4 Famous Ancient Cities Of Sri Lanka That Are Worth Visiting!

Sri Lanka is a cultural heartland of the Asia. The sacred Buddhist sites, crumbling temples and lost cities are the reason why people from all across the world head up to this country. The ancient Sinhalese dynasties set up their first foot on the central plains and supported gigantic artistic and architectural wonders. Eventually all the kingdoms fell on their feet, slowly to be consumed by the forest and jungles.
Visit to this amazing country will let you experience everything, so stat planning by applying for online Sri Lanka visa. From beaches to museums, historical sites to modern pubs, one can indulge in everything. Apart from the sand beaches and ornamented temples, the country is enriched with various ancient cities, most of which are declared as World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. Here is a list of all the cities that will still amaze you with their silent legendary tales:

1. SIGIRIYA ANCIENT CITY- Also known as the Lion`s Rock, Sigiriya is a rock fortress and a palace which is located in the Matale district of Sri Lanka. The ruin is surrounded by ponds, gardens and other relevant structures. Built by King Kasyapa, it is declared as a World Heritage site.
2. POLONNARUWA ANCIENT CITY- This is the Island`s 2<sup>nd</sup> largest kingdom. Polonnaruwa city is one of the best planned Archaeological relic sites in the country. Its smart planning and synchronized construction signifies the greatness and discipline of the Kingdom`s first rulers. This is also one of the declared World Heritage Sits by UNESCO. The Lankathilaka temple and a colossal statue of the Buddha made from stone is located here.
3. ANURADHAPURA ANCIENT CITY: This city is the oldest and largest ancient city of the country. It is renowned for its ruins that display the early Sri Lankan civilization. In ancient times, it was once the capital city of the country and the residence of all the ruling monarchs. The city is also famous among Buddhists pilgrims.
4. KANDY ANCIENT CITY- Kandy is the second largest city of the country and is also the capital of the Central Province. Located amidst the hills, it is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka. It is a perfect amalgamation of religious as well as administrative city. It is frequently visited by Buddhists especially of the Theravada School. Also it is a home to the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic ; Dalada Maligawa ), The Botanical Gardens ( Located in Peradeniya) which makes it a hot tourist destination.

So wait no more! Plan a perfect trip to Sri Lanka along with your family and friends to have a gala time here in this country. Apply for online Sri Lanka visa today by visiting our website sri-lankaeta.com.

4 Coolest Neighborhoods In Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo is a city which is rapidly growing. With tourism majorly contributing to the growing economy, the locals out there are making the most of the opportunities to start their own business.  From hip cafes to upmarket restaurants, clothing boutiques to antique shops, the commercialization of the city will offer you plenty of activities to do. The neighborhoods are always bustling with tourists and shops showcasing their best products.

The different neighborhoods in Colombo have been given numbers from Colombo 1 to 15. Every single neighborhood has several hot spots inside them. If you have a day or two you must check out these local neighboring areas that are popping up with chic hang out places every now and then.

CINNAMON GARDENS- This all-time coolest neighborhood in Colombo is given number 7. Lots of authors have written about this place and its huge area once covered with cinnamon trees. Now the place is adorned with plenty of boutique hotels and cafes. You can also stay connected with entire world as there is a great connectivity with Wi-Fi.
PARK STREET & SLAVE ISLAND- One of Colombo`s upcoming neighborhoods, the Park Street and Slave Island is given number 2. The area is in close proximity of Gangaramaya Temple visited by every tourist. But the Park Street doesn’t have to do anything with the temples but upscale restaurants, nightclubs and cafes. A perfect fusion of pleasure, business and condos, it is only few blocks away from the Beira Lake. Slave Island is a large area which is surrounded by Beira Lake and a great place to have long walks.
THIMBIRIGASYAYA & HAVELOCK- Being number 5, the Colombo 5 is one of and largest neighborhoods in Colombo but the coolest area is around Thimbirigasyaya & Havelock. Few years back, the roads of Thimbirigasyaya was skinny but now it’s a bustling entrance to the city with condos, cafes and businesses perfectly aligned.  From fancy coffee shops to chic cafes, it’s a great place for expats to live in. Havelock road is the other large road that crosses paths with Thimbirigasyaya and has plenty of places as well.
BAMBALAPITIYA- Known as Colombo 4, Bambalapitiya is an area that extent to Galle Road and to Marine Drive. The place is located in center and more often than not is busy. It has some famous restaurants and eating joints like Barefoot Garden Café and Banana Leaf Curry House. The place has its own charm with roads always busy with crowd, tuk-tuk and cars. Though it has less vegetation as compared to other places, it`s still as mesmerizing as it neighboring alleys.                                        
Spend some time with the locals as Sri Lanka is famous for its friendly locals. What are you waiting for? Apply for your Sri Lanka online visa by visiting our website sri-lankaeta.com.

7 Things To Never Leave Without When Flying Abroad

Travelling to your favorite destination can be really exciting. But all the dirty work behind it requires lot of planning and careful attention to even the smallest thing. Whether you are a regular traveler or someone who is travelling abroad for the first time, packing things can be a tedious task. It can give you many sleepless nights, making you recollect about all the stuff you might need.
Going through your checklist multiple times may help you to remember the things, but it will only remind you about the stuff you have added in the list. Here is a list of things that you certainly require to carry with you before leaving for the airport:

1. Passport- Living in your own country does not require any identification proof, but once in a foreign land, your passport will be your identity during the course of your stay. Recheck the passport date and go through all the details once. Make sure that the validity of your passport is within the time frame required to apply for a visa for a specific country. Until you don`t come back to your motherland, guard it with your life.
2. Flight Tickets- Book flight tickets in advance. If you are not sure about the processing time of your Visa, then book dummy tickets if the option is available online. However there are countries which require confirmed ticket bookings, so dummy tickets won`t work in such cases. Keep in mind that your return ticket should be within the visa validity or you might land into trouble.
3. Accommodation- Staying at a hotel? Airbnb? Or at a relative`s place? Whatever is your choice of stay, figure out the accommodation that suits your requirements as well as of your visa. Some countries do not accept Airbnb bookings while applying for Visa.
4. Visa- The visa application process can be troublesome for those who have no clue how to go about it. But once you have confirmed your bookings and hotel reservations, your visa is just a step away. Keep your documents handy and read all the documents required when filing of visa.
5. Travel Insurance- Always get your travel insurance done especially when travelling abroad before hopping on to your flight. If your baggage goes missing in the transit, you won`t be stranded without any hopes. Getting travel insurance can always help you claim for your baggage.
6. Forex- Making a budget is easy, but sticking to it is a hard deal. Once you have decided the amount of cash you can carry, check the currency rate and get your forex card before leaving.
7. Sim Card- The world is connected through internet. It is considered no more a luxury. It can help you to stay connected with your family and loved ones. Thus choose a global connection plan that according that will keep you connected throughout your stay abroad.

These are the few things that can help you when your trips go downhill.               As they say “better safe, than sorry”, do not forget to keep the above mentioned things in mind when you decide your next travel destination. For more information, log on to www.sri-lankaeta.com .

Everything You Must Know Before Applying For Visa!

One thing that is essentially required by anyone who seeks to travel foreign country is a valid visa for that country. A visa is a permit that allows you to visit the country, lawfully. There are many types of visas; a foreign national may apply for as per the requirements. Either temporarily or permanently, a valid visa is required to be lawfully admitted to any country.

The visas are divided according to the requirements and the purpose of travelling. As an applicant you must meet all the requirements to receive the category of visa which you wish to apply. After submitting the application for visa, a consular officer will determine whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, under which category.

Visas are mainly divided into two categories- Immigrant Visa (IV) and non-immigrant Visa (NIV). Let’s talk about these two types of visas in detail:

IMMIGRANT VISA

People who wish to make a permanent residence in a foreign country can apply for immigrant visa. This type of visa is specifically designed for them. This type of visa not only allows the applicant to visit the country but also to seek employment and avail citizenship in the respective country. Although there are multiple subcategories of immigrant visas, they are limited in numbers. If there is no visa cap available, you may be placed on a waiting list until a visa slot becomes available for you. Most of the popular countries like USA, UK, Canada, and Australia etc. have been the most popular destination since few decades. But the trend is changing now and other countries are emerging as favorite destinations for immigration.

NON-IMMIGRANT VISA

Non-immigrant visas are the conventional visas and include everything ranging from tourist activities to business visits. NIV is issued to a person who wishes to visit another country on a temporary basis for recreational activity, medical treatment, business, short term course, conference or any other temporary work. NIV are much easier and cheaper to obtain and usually do not involve waiting list.
However these visas have certain limitations and usually do not allow you to live permanently, work in other country for more than specified time. These visas are designed to allow people to travel other countries for specific purpose, for a short period of time.

Therefore whatever your visiting purpose is, it is very essential to choose the correct type of visa. Applying for the wrong visa can delay your application or further can lead to rejection. Thus, always reach out to expert if you are not clear about which one to apply for in order to avoid rejection. For more information you can visit www.sri-lankaeta.com .