Incredible Oman - October 2023 - Hostess Round Up - Hayley Morris

Oh My Oman, you delivered in terms of fabulous sightseeing and spectacular scenery.  From the beautiful beaches of Salalah in southern Oman to the magnificent mountainous region of Khasab in the north, our itinerary offered a fantastic range of sights including swimming in the beautiful waters of Al Fazayah beach in Dhofar province, the beautiful village of Taqah with it's gorgeous seaside coastline, a visit to the impressive Royal Opera House in Muscat, the vibrant Muttrah Souq and Amouage perfumery. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat was impressive showcasing the world's largest one-piece hand-stitched Persian carpet.  A traditional dhow sunset cruise in Muscat with views of the Sultan's palace was also enjoyed.  We visited many forts (mostly Portuguese) along our journey including the beautifully restored Nakhal fort and the 17th-century fort in Nizwa (the best town we visited in my opinion - great vibe and reminiscent of a set from the Aladdin movie).  A visit to the local cattle markets in Nizwa showed us an insight into the daily life of an Omani farmer and this event proved to be a family affair with kids intermingled within the crowd all just as curious as we were.  Our overnight stay in the Wahiba Sands desert was made all the more enjoyable with sunset and sunrise views and our visit to the Grand Canyon of Oman, Jebel Akhdar with friendly goats encouraging us to admire the magnificent views was a funny affair!  One of the highlights for our group was visiting the house of our guide Toobi and enjoying a traditional Omani lunch.  This was so special and will be remembered always. Our 3-night stopover in Dubai had us staying in the district of Al Seeb and what a perfect place for a Sister to spend our last 3 days shopping the Al Seeb souk which was literally at our doorstep.  We enjoyed a heritage safari excursion, enjoying a visit to the Empty Quarter Desert, a fantastic traditional dinner in a Berber camp, and a stargazing experience which was amazing.  Our last night in Dubai was enjoyed celebrating in style with a dinner at the perfectly located Maison du Curry front and centre of the famous Dubai fountain with the Burj Khalifa in the background.