In most books about Kandy the Old Empire Hotel is described as a must see place, whenever a true look at Sri Lanka is desired.

Renting a room is certainly an experience of it`s own with prices of around 400 Rupees ($4) and dinners at pretty much the same rate.

Getting there from Colombo Airport is a 3-4 hours taxi ride, usually priced between 2 and 3.000 Rupees ($25), which also provides a first intense first impression of the country with the so called Colombo road experience resulting in burning eyes, a sour throat and even some dizziness as a result of highly toxic acid exhaust fumes.