Step into one of the world’s best-preserved colonial fortified towns on this day tour to Galle Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Portuguese in 1588 and fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century, the fort is a living town where boutique hotels, art galleries, artisan workshops, spice traders and cafes occupy buildings that have stood for over 300 years. The scenic coastal drive south from Colombo along Sri Lanka’s famous Marine Drive passes through the beach resorts of Bentota, the turtle hatcheries of Kosgoda and the coral reef at Hikkaduwa, each offering a glimpse of the island’s spectacular southern coastline. Within the fort itself, your guide leads you along the coral-stone ramparts overlooking the Indian Ocean, through the cobblestone streets lined with Dutch-era gabled houses, past the Old Dutch Hospital, the National Maritime Museum and the iconic Galle Lighthouse.