Oman

Oman is most of the times overshadowed from its loud and opulent neighbour, Dubai, or surpassed from the popularity of Morocco or Tel Aviv. However, in this large country on the south tip of the Arabian Peninsula, with Yemen and Saudi Arabia as its neighbours and a very small population, hides a beautiful paradise. 

It has the reminiscence of Old Arabia, with its traditional villages, local architecture and friendly people walking the streets with their local dress, and resists on expanding urbanisation, thus skyscrapers and mega-luxurious malls. At the same Sultan Qaboos, who has been ruling for many many years, has managed to transform Oman to a modernised state, without losing its local colour. It is following the opposite direction from Dubai. 

Oman welcomes tourists and is very safe. When I arrived, I was incredibly happy to discover such hospitality and friendliness from its people, as well as a very clean city and also very safe. Of course, you must follow local custom of respect, in behaviour and dress, as it is a Muslim country. Nevertheless, women don’t need to cover up their head, except in mosques and official events. 

As it is such a large country there are different regions, all very different and unique. There is an abundance of attractions and history and there are so many things to see and do. You have a huge dessert, high mountains, beaches and oasis cities with lush green scenery. The most historic towns and forts, as well as the high peaks of the Jabal Akhdar mountain region, are near the capital of Muscat, the dessert is towards the middle-east of Oman and in the south, in the region of Salalah, known as the land of frankincense and banana plantations, you will find a cooler climate.

What to visit:

Ø Nizwa: Must see the historic fortreconstructed as it used to be in 1668 when built by the local Imam, go up a small climb to the top to see the view stretching all around the surrounding areas. The view is worth the climb, for those thinking about it with the heat. See also around the town and the souk; just outside the entrance of the main gate to the fort and town. In the souk, you can buy local dates, halva and coffee or tea. Nizwa used to be an old capital of Oman.

Ø Ancient forts outside Muscat: someone can admire different forts built by the local Imams, who where rulers of the local areas. Some can be visited inside and some are not and most of them are UNESCO world Heritage sites. You can research more before visiting (which you can enter and what are the opening times). 

The famous forts are Bahla Fort(UNESCO, until recently closed for renovations), Jabrin Fort(the Imam’s tomb can be seen inside the castle) and Nakhl Fortand its surrounding oasis city.

Ø Jabal Akhdar mountain villages: Also called “Green Mountains” because of the “hanging” gardens in the mountain villages, embracing the cliffs. These gardens are mostly used to grow roses for the famous local rose water and other local fruits and vegetables. The villages are very pretty, filled with old houses and hidden green or water spots. The view all around the mountain peaks is enticing. There is the option to walk from one village to the other, but for more details either go with a local guide or get some detailed information from the local tourist office. We saw the villages of Saiqand Wadi Bani Habib. 

Ø Oasis villages: Get the opportunity to pass through or see from a hill the oasis villages all around Jabal Akhdar base area, not far from Nizwa. We passed the wonderful date plantations and water streams (local irrigation system) of Birkat Al Mauz and admired the pretty village. 

Ø Old Muscat and Al Alam Palace: Before you enter the town, you can see from the road a panoramic view of the old city and its gates and the old, one main entrance. You can visit the surroundings of the main Palace, recently built by the Sultan, admire the views and old housesand visit the National Museum. 

Now the city is spread out all around the Muscat area and quite modernised. The Sultan himself leaves in different palaces and forts in the country. You can also see the two forts surrounding the old city and built by the Portuguese. 

Ø Muscat Grand Mosque: closed on Fridays. It is one of the largest mosques of Arabia, with intricate and lush decoratings, Persian carpets and Austrian chandeliers. It is better to visit early in the morning. 

Ø Muscat Old port attractions: In Muttrah districtlies the ancient Port of Muscat, where you still can see few of the old houses and architecture. Visit the new Fish Market, where you can admire the local fish and nearby the local fruits. Also, wander around the Muttrah Soukand if you have time bargain for some great finds. 

Ø Green turtles in Ras Al Jinz: someone can visit the protected beach, where the endangered green turtles lay their eggs. Due to the rarity of this species and the time it takes them to mature enough to lay eggs, plus the fact they travel thousands of kilometres to return to their birthplace to lay them, it makes this place very special and fragile. Only 100 tourists each night can visit them.

Ø Wahiba Sands: this dessert covers an area of 120km north to south and 80km west to east, where still today Bedouins live in small local houses with camels and sheep. You can decide to spend the night in the desert and observe the Bedouin dessert life for a while. If you have never visited the sand dunes before it is an unforgettable experience; the sounds of the sand, the feel of it on your feet, the ride on the camel and the view of the stars on the sky. 

Ø Salalah region: plenty to see here as well, as it is an ancient maritime and trade port in the southern and west point of Oman. It is the land of Frankincense-you can visit the Frankincense Land Museum-and of the banana plantations. It also offers beaches and plenty of sea life. There is also part of the dessert here, which transforms to a green terrain during the monsoons.  

Local products, dishes and rituals:

·      Frankincense (aroma oil perfuming the rooms)

·      Rose water (used in the local cuisine and to add flavour to tea or coffee)

·      Local fish like lobster, prawns, tuna, kingfish, hammour, cuttlefish, horse mackerel and crabs. 

·      Dates (they are small and harder than other Arabic country dates, but still very tasty)

·      Halwa (a local dessert made with tahini)

·      Local coffee 

·      Local costume (you will notice men are wearing the traditional dishdasha and kumma in their everyday lives or a bit different local dress for special occasions or positions)

·      Omani silver products

·      Khanjar (dagger for self-defence, also worn for a special occasion with a “belt” on the waist)

·      Traditional coffee silver pots

·      Burners for frankincense 

·      Local fruits (bananas, Mangos, pomegranates, oranges, papaya, watermelons)

·      Amouage perfume (expensive, intense aromas and much celebrated, do buy a bottle if you can-you can find it in the airport too)

·      Local spices

·      Washing hands with water perfumed with rose is a local tradition in the homes when a guest arrives

Muscat must try restaurants:

Ø Bait Al Luban: a traditional restaurant worth trying in the Muttrah area, near the new Fish Market, with views of the Old Port from its balcony and a traditional décor. Here you will find delicious, local cuisine, with something extra (like the coffee in the end of the meal with dates and the traditional rose water hand washing when you are leaving) and the famous local hospitality.

Al Mina Street, Muttrah Corniche, Muscat

 Ø Kargeen restaurant: another Omani traditional restaurant, also popular, especially with tourists, offers local cuisine and local hospitality in a very nice and homey environment. It also has a terrace and is located in the Madinat as Sultan Qaboos. 

Al Bashair Street, Muscat

 Ø Al Angham Oman: local and worthwhile cuisine in a formal setting inside the Royal Opera House of Muscat. Expect lavish and traditional Omani décor. Why not combine music and dinner? 

Royal Opera House, Muscat

 Ø The Beach Restaurant in The Chedi: here you can expect fish and seafood full of flavours, in a more formal and romantic setting, just on the beach in The Chedi Hotel, overlooking the sea and listening to the waves. 

The Chedi Hotel, North Ghubra 232, Way 3215, Street 46 Oman, Muscat

For the best hotels in Muscateither choose The Chedi, with a clean cut, modern design and subtle luxury, or the newly renovated Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton hotel, full of glamour and opulence, with a six senses spa inside (re-opens September 2018); both are on the beach and in good locations. 

For the best hotels in other areas of Omanchoose from the Dessert Nights Camp in Al Wasil, to spend a night in the dessert in a traditional and indulgent way, the Alila Jabal Akhdar, in the Al Hajar Mountains, a luxury retreat on the famous Jabal Akhdar mountain region, with spectacular views and the Six Senses Zighy Bay,in the north of Oman, in the Musandam Peninsula, for some five-star vacation days.