Bandarawela is a colourful market town surrounded by tea estates and agricultural plots characteristic of the picturesque and bountiful region of Uva. Despite Bandarawela’s colonial origins, there are few reminders of the days when the British were in town, although the train station, the red brick post office, the Bandarawela Hotel and the well-stocked Cargils Supermarket do lend a touch of nostalgia. The pretty church of St Anthony is also worth a visit. Bandarawela stands at 1,230m above sea level and its verdant hills (popular with walkers) are much more captivating than the town itself. During colonial times, Bandarawela was hailed as having one of the healthiest climates in the world, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 27 degrees Celsius, and indeed little has changed today. Days are often bright and sunny, though between November and February you might wake up to misty mornings as the nights can get quite cool. Bandarawela’s restaurants are few, however it’s well-placed to visit villages and towns such as Ella, Badulla and Haputale – all less than an hour away.