AS an enormous Asian elephant marches past my safari Jeep, I can't help but feel like I'm in Jurassic Park.

It peacefully shakes a small tree with its trunk at the same time as sheltering its baby, who is staying firmly underneath Mum.

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I'm at Udawalawe National Park — one of Sri Lanka's top eco-tourism attractions, spread across 30,000 hectares with hundreds of these beautiful animals.

No sooner have I seen the mum and ridiculously cute baby than we pass peacocks gliding through the air, water buffalo wallowing in a pond and crocodiles lurking in the shallows.

It's almost too much to take in when some mischievous monkeys try to hitch a ride with us.

With priceless moments such as this, it's not hard to see why Sri Lanka has become such a hot holiday destination. And while there is plenty of wildlife to keep me entertained, this country has far more to offer than just its animals.

Sri Lanka really is a hotchpotch of cultures, having been controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British right up until 1948 when it was granted independence.

Tourism has boomed here since 2009, when the country's civil war ended, and it is swiftly becoming one of the most in-demand holiday locations for year-round warm weather with plenty to see and do. I landed in the commercial capital, Colombo, thanks to Thomson's new direct route which has just launched from Gatwick.

On the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, it's a smooth flight of just under 11 hours and my Thomson guide was there to greet me as soon as I landed.

I headed straight out of the hustle and bustle to the oldest kingdom of Kandy, which certainly had some sweet treats in store.

The next day, after a stroll around the numerous stalls of "designer" clothes in the city centre, I made my way to the Temple of the Tooth — widely regarded as one of the most sacred places in the Buddhist world.

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The ornately decorated temple with a golden roof is said to house one of Buddha's teeth but you'll be disappointed if you're hoping to see it sitting there in a jar of formaldehyde.

Barefoot, as is customary, I entered the room containing the tooth where, for a short period three times a day, doors open to reveal an elaborate gold box which the tooth is said to be housed in. While the box containing possible human remains is a bit of an anti-climax, the temple itself is a must-see.

Back outside, I took a walk around the Royal Botanical Gardens, with its huge selection of orchids and unusual plants. Adding an air of menace, enormous bats with a wingspan of more than 4ft flew overhead at dusk ... I was told they wouldn't bite.

Of course, no trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without sampling some of the tea it is so famous for.

Despite having an area smaller than Scotland, it's the third largest exporter of tea in the world and you would be hard-pressed not to end up drinking it at every possible opportunity.

One of the best places to try it is up in the hills at the Loolecondera Tea Factory, where the industry here was kick-started in the 19th century.

Scottish tea-obsessive James Taylor started production here in 1867 and the factory is still going strong today.

I was able to explore the fields and watch the tea leaves being processed in the factory. But tea isn't the only attraction, as the view from the fields high up in the hills is simply breathtaking, across a deep valley packed full of lush jungle.

On the way back down, I decided it was about time I hopped in a tuktuk to sample the country's favourite mode of transport for myself.

These miniature cars, which are basically motorbikes with a roof and a back seat, are perfect for navigating the narrow and uneven roads, and with English widely spoken all over the country, I had no problem getting around.

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I took one back down the hills, but while it's the perfect way to see the incredible scenery and whiz around hairpin bends, the bumpy terrain can make it a slightly painful experience.

Back in the heart of Kandy, I was eager to try out some of the local food, and what better place than the Empire Cafe, set within a grand old English colonial building.

I quickly learned that Sri Lankans really love their spice — and that's to put it mildly.

But the Empire Cafe also offers dishes more suited to Western tastes if the curries begin to repeat.

Back on the road, I made my way to the coast and visited the town of Galle — a Unesco world Heritage Site bursting with culture and Dutch-colonial architecture.

It's the perfect place to enjoy a slightly slower pace after Kandy, where you can stroll around the ancient Galle Fort or take a boat ride through the mangroves to see huge water monitor lizards on the Madu Ganga river.

The coast in Galle gives you the perfect photo opportunity to snap the stilt fisherman, who climb poles and cast off in a fishing method unique to Sri Lanka.

But after a jam-packed few days, I decided to check out the brand new Riu resort, which opened just four months ago on nearby Ahungalla beach.

Right on the beachfront, it has a choice of three pools — complete with a swim-up bar in the centrepiece infinity pool — and stunning views across the ocean from every room.

It also has its own outdoor theatre, shops, spa, nightclub, five restaurants and incredibly attentive staff.

And with an endless sandy beach and crystal clear waters within walking distance from my door, it was the perfect place to lie back, let loose and relax in the lap of luxury.

Sri Lanka really is an exhilarating, diverse and utterly beautiful country with superb hospitality, fantastic food and so much to explore.

Whether it's mingling with the locals in a busy town centre, exploring the wilderness on safari or just kicking back by the pool with a good cocktail, there really is something for everyone.

If India was the jewel in the crown of the British empire, Sri Lanka must be its smaller, more perfectly formed little brother.