Nilaveli Beach Hotel is nostalgia; it occupies the best stretch of beach in Trincomalee and there’s something old-worldly and familiar about this place. With staff who have worked for decades at this family-owned property, you experience Sri Lankan hospitality at its best. Next door is Pigeon Island—a protected island off the coast that snorkel fans must visit. On the weekends, Nilaveli extends a famous Crab Curry buffet, which us locals now just expect. When you want to try something different, venture out to Memo’s, a little Italian beach club/restaurant nearby. Yala is our famous wildlife destination in many ways. I travel with an experience-focus and I love Leopard Safaris by…