Savour cricket in Sri Lanka with Experience Travel Group

With England heading to this cricket-loving part of the world, make sure you take advantage of everything Sri Lanka has to offer

Cricket fans are known for travelling to all parts of the globe to watch their beloved sport. The dedication and loyalty they show is seldom seen in other walks of life, with many people scheduling their lives around when and where they will next watch England play abroad.

That's a commendable commitment. But sport can be cruel. England have just been defeated by an innings at the hands of New Zealand, as well as losing the series. You can't predict sport, but with Experience Travel Group one thing is certain – you will have the trip of a lifetime.

"We are all about the experience," says Sam Clark, co-founder of Experience Travel Group. "Cricket is the reason for us to go to Sri Lanka, and we build the rest of the holiday around that. The country offers so much more. This will be our third cricket tour to Sri Lanka so we like to think we know how to get under the skin of the place and cricket is an amazing way to engage with this cricket-crazy country.

"At Galle you can explore the entire ground with no restrictions. You will see children playing cricket on one side and then you may bump into players and commentators on the other. This is all in a lovely and hot setting where the seafront and historic fort transports you away from the bustling city. Lunch is provided for all our guests in a nearby hotel and we are always on hand to bring you drinks throughout the day." 

Each guest is assigned a chauffeur guide who makes the whole experience hassle-free, taking you to and from the cricket and anywhere else you would like to go. These drivers add an authentic element to the trip as they are locals who know the island inside out. They are a consistent point of contact and a friendly face every day. By stopping in the right place for lunch, at a hidden gem or even a place owned by a friend, your holiday can be improved to another level.

Another aspect of Sri Lanka that makes it so unique is the incredible wildlife. "Yala is amazing and Wilpattu, Udawalawe and the elephants of Gal Oya are unmissable. Tea country is situated in the middle of the island and has beautiful scenery unlike anywhere in the world. It's a great way to get out of the noise and the heat of the city.

"The cultural and historical sites are stunning, yet not too well-known and not packed with tourists. Sigiriya and Anuradhapura are places I would strongly recommend and are totally unique to Sri Lanka." 

Of course, a hugely important part of any holiday is the accommodation, and Experience Travel Group don't take half-measures. "All of our hotels are stylish yet affordable. We don't just block-book basic hotels, we make sure all our boutique hotels are friendly and comfortable." And if you are part of a group there are even a selection of villas available to hire.

"We're not trying to compete with major sports tour operators. Our tours are for cricket fans who also love travel and are curious to discover more about Sri Lanka. We organise lots of social events, including evening drinks, and we find that our guests have so much in common, not just because they are cricket fans, but because they are keen travellers who have experienced parts of the world and want to listen to each other's stories." 

The memorable extras don't stop at drinks, though.

When England last toured in 2018 Experience Travel Group arranged a cricket match against a local side. "We got absolutely whacked but it was great fun!" 

England's tour of Sri Lanka promises much, with many players fighting for their place in the side. But with Experience Travel Group, the cricket is just the beginning.

For more information visit www.experiencetravelgroup.com or call 0203 993 9730