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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
Pakistan
The 23 Palm is a beachfront villa, set outside the fishing village of Talpe near Galle, in southern Sri Lanka. Designed along the lines of a Dutch period bungalow with high roofs, arched doorways, columns and verandas, it is steps from an almost private beach where fishermen on stilts anticipate their daily catch. Owned by the operators of nearby Why House and beautifully maintained by a full-time 4-member staff, it’s a perfect holiday home for the exclusive use by families or small groups.
Inside the Dutch colonial-era 23 Palm house are two master bedrooms, a junior suite and a lavish living area with a soaring ceiling and a cascading chandelier. The long front veranda with slow whirring fans, looks across an expansive lush garden and a large swimming pool with a dining pavilion. The villa has its own kitchen with a dedicated chef or you can choose to eat in one of the fine dining restaurants within the Galle Fort including Amangalla, Galle Fort Hotel or Fort Printers.
Step outside the 23 Palm house and you have uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean where during October and April, swimming and surfing is possible. Activities on offer include sailing, fishing, coastal cruises, river trips, sea kayaking, snorkelling, whale watching and boating. Unawatuna is a little bay with white sandy beaches and a coral reef off the shore where you can do some scuba diving. One day explore the 17th-century Galle Dutch forts and its walled city.
Amenities
Bar/PubConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableFamily RoomGardenOutdoor PoolPrivate BeachRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesWi-Fi AvailableStay 23 Palm features just three guest rooms. Set within the main house are two Master bedrooms with four poster beds, air-conditioning and impressive internal water features. To the rear of the villa, there is a smaller third bedroom that interconnects to one of the suites. It is suitable for a single adult or 2 small children with a guest toilet and shower. All are spacious with high beamed ceilings, furnished with period style furniture and quirky artwork.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at 23 Palm Villa but there are no specific facilities for children. Baby cots can be easy placed within the rooms and can be arranged, upon request.
Dine The 23 Palm Villa is completely private and comes with a fully equipped kitchen, however an experienced chef proficient in Sri Lankan, Western and Asian cuisine is available (at a small fee) to prepare all meals. Guests can also dine at 23 Palm's nearby sister property, Why House, which is a villa hotel situated inland. Alternatively, there is a number of restaurants on the nearby beaches and in the Galle Fort.
Relax The main body of this stunning 23 Palm house is a large living room that runs the length of the villa with a long veranda overlooking, the 2-acre garden and wide ocean frontage, perfect place to relax. There is a large swimming pool with sun loungers and a cabana, perfect setting to enjoy a serene sunset dinners and cocktails. There is a team of four staff to look after guests, including security, the housekeeper and two chefs.
Experience You can do as much as little as you want in 23 Palm house. Visit the historic 17th-century Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and walk along its narrow streets, lined with Dutch and British colonial era buildings and explore local galleries and boutiques. Activity enthusiasts can visit the beaches of Unawatuna and Mirissa for water sports including sailing, fishing, coastal cruises, river trips, sea kayaking, snorkelling, whale watching and boating.
Location 23 Palm is set on a two-acre of prime Galle beachfront with mesmerizing views of the Indian Ocean, in the fishing village of Talpe, just 15-minutes from the historic city of Galle.
Getting there Fly to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. It takes about 3 hours to drive from the airport to 23 Palm.
When to go Sri Lanka is a year-round destination with consistently warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. There are two monsoon seasons but they only bring rain to the west and south-west coasts from May to September; and the east coast and northern region between October and February. The rest of the year is sunny and dry but the months of December to April are probably the best time to visit. Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have an average temperature of 27°C.
Destination
West & South, Sri Lanka
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May 04 - 19, May 19, 2025
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