This could have been one of the major city's of the region because of its huge natural harbour, yet it became a quite town - for Asian norms that is - of the beaten track. Although war sometimes beats the track, so check with the locals if it's safe to go there.

Things I remember most: the strong smell of curry, filling whole streets. Wild monkeys on the road south, following the sea. Some of the best beaches of the country (so the Footprints say) to the north. Some authentic little fishing villages to the north that have never thought of the possibility that a passing tourist may think they're authentic little fishing villages. In Trincomalee itself some temples, cliffs, strange deer.

Colombo
Dambulla
Galle
Kandy
Kurunegala
Negombo
Nugegoda
Sigiriya
Trincomalee
Unawatuna
Unawatune
Wattla