OK! TRAVEL OMAN
WHY GO THERE?
One of the Middle East’s undiscovered gems, the Sultanate of Oman boasts over 1,000 miles of coastline, endless desert delights, rugged mountains dotted with historic forts and bustling bazaars – the perfect place to buy souvenirs. The former Portuguese colony celebrates its National Day on November 18 with a public holiday, when you’ll see colourful parades, fireworks, camel races, an equestrian show, a marine festival and much more in the capital Muscat. Head there in December, however, and you may be brushing shoulders with royalty as the Duke of Cambridge is due to visit Oman and nearby Kuwait.
MUST-DO ACTIVITIES?
Unlike its neighbour Dubai, Oman is not all about skyscrapers and commercialism, but low-rise whitewashed buildings, traditional villages, local heritage and handicrafts. A lovely way to view this is by hiking in the mountains, passing through villages and terraced hillsides or exploring steep-sided wadis (the Arabic term for valley). You can also admire the ancient trees brimming with apricots, dates, olives, walnuts and pomegranates as you go.
Quad biking and dune bashing across the miles of empty desert is a popular visitor recreation. However, OK! couldn’t resist a more adrenalinpumping activity – abseiling! It was a really exhilarating, albeit nerve-tingling, experience, as we abseiled from a 75-foot cliff and we were very happy to reach the ground intact! We also enjoyed a more leisurely pursuit when we were driven to a remote mountain spot where a delicious picnic was laid out on a handcrafted Omani carpet. OK! had some unexpected visitors, too – mountain goats!
Be sure to visit the waterfront Muttrah Souq, the famous marketplace in Muscat with views of the Oman Royal Yacht Squadron. This is HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said’s private collection of boats ranging from super-sleek yachts to traditional wooden sailing vessels. At the market, you’ll experience a visual and sensory overload. The colourful stalls overflow with barrels of spices (saffron and turmeric), traditional carpets and handwoven textiles, silver and gold jewellery, pottery and Omani sweets (Halwa).
IF ADVENTURE IS WHAT YOU’RE AFTER, THE SULTANATE OF OMAN WON’T DISAPPOINT WITH ITS PANORAMIC VIEWS AND BREATHTAKING, NATURAL BEAUTY
WHERE TO STAY?
Perched 6,575 feet above sea level in the majestic Jabal Al Hajar Mountains is Sahab Resort and Spa. OK!’S two-hour drive in a 4x4 Jeep from Muscat airport was spectacularly scenic as we made the steep ascent to reach the luxury new 27-room hotel that commands jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains. The four-star boutique retreat had been designed to blend seamlessly into the rugged terrain with its rocky exterior walls using local limestone packed with ancient fossils. As we walked into the lobby, a wonderful aroma of roses (the hotel makes its own rose water) greeted us. After being offered a traditional cup of Omani coffee and dates, we were shown to our elegant room featuring Arabic lights, striped carpets and stone floors with a terrace offering more stunning views. Enjoy further panoramic vistas from the hotel pool – the perfect place to sit and enjoy a cocktail as the sun sets. After a long day exploring, OK! enjoyed a perfect indulgent massage in the hotel’s URU Spa, where the calming scents, candles and music all aided relaxation.
WHERE TO DINE AND BE SEEN?
What was truly special about the hotel’s Warda restaurant is that OK! literally dined under the stars on the outside canopied terrace surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains. The restaurant has an open-air grill (as well as a pizza oven) and the menu features both Omani and Western dishes. OK!’S favourite was the succulent lamb chops, hamour fish spiced with Omani masala and umm ali for desert, a heavenly Arabic sweet pastry.