Book excerpt: A new first-edition DK Eyewitness Travel Guide A wealth of history, culture, and natural beauty awaits in Sri Lanka, an island nation located just off India's southern coast. This new first-edition DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sri Lanka delivers the full DK Eyewitness Travel Guides treatment--including the famous cutaway illustrations of major architectural and historic sights, museum floor plans, and maps. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sri Lanka includes everything a traveler needs to know to experience the best Sri Lanka has to offer. Photography, illustrations, and maps show the sights of Sri Lanka in full color throughout, while themed itineraries help travelers plan trips by length of stay and by interest. Hotels and restaurant listings include DK Choice special recommendations and an array of options for all budget levels. The guidebook is organized with maps and historical overviews for each region, and neighborhood walking maps include restaurant locations by area, as well as key sights not to miss. Expert travel writers explain the stories the behind the sights and include overviews of the nation's history and culture so you always discover more about the places you visit. From spectacular national parks to manicured tea plantations, beautiful beaches, and the bustling capital city of Colombo, this country offers vacation options for all types of travelers. And, with hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Sri Lanka truly shows you this destination as no one else can.