Oman The surprising destination of the Persian Gulf that you should know now
Oman Desert Luxury Glamping Adventure - The Experience You Must Live Once
It is considered
the Switzerland of the Middle East
due to its status as a calm, neutral and discreet island in a sometimes hectic region where the largest in the style of Dubai still floods everything.
That is not to say that Oman has a low profile.
Quite the contrary: whoever sets foot in this (still) unknown country of the
Arabian Peninsula
will find a surprise full of beaches with turquoise waters, vertiginous mountains,
movie oasis
and one of the most virgin deserts on the planet.
This is Oman, the Arab state of
4.6 million people
the size of Italy.
We must add curious records such as being
one of the cleanest and safest countries
.
Starting with its capital,
Muscat.
It is normal that the sidewalks almost shine, the taxis could not be better perfumed and be careful, because they fine whoever dares to throw a piece of paper on the ground.
For this reason, this city with 1.3 million
souls
has been
the repeat winner of the competition for the most pristine Arab cities
(that exists), as well as being one of the most beautiful in Asia.
Mutrah souk stalls.
The cleanliness is noticeable even in
Mutrah's covered souk
, where you can buy
pashminas,
spices, rugs, silver necklaces, lamps, handicrafts and figures of
Sinbad the Sailor,
who was said to have been born here.
Although there are several versions, the natives assure that he was born here and that his boats departed from here for his emblematic voyages.
A few meters away are the Corniche (promenade) and the fish market, where the price of
gigantic tuna
, sharks (yes, you read that right), lobsters, rays and 75 other varieties are discussed, accompanied by a very hot tea.
Muscat beach with turquoise waters.
Muscat, sandwiched
between the sea and the mountains,
is today a fascinating city that wants to take on the world, but it was literally closed ("the doors of its wall could not be opened," says the guide Qasim Alashiyyani while showing one of those entrances ) until 50 years ago, when the
previous sultan, Qaboos
(died 2020), overthrew his father.
Hence, Oman lived through much of the 20th century as if it were still in the Middle Ages.
Now, on the other hand, it has modern roads and technological and electrical infrastructures,
60% of university students are women
, and the cultural scene is growing day by day.
Examples: the Bait Al Zubair history museum and
the Opera opened in 2012
by Plácido Domingo in the image of the one in Paris.
“They also do concerts,
performances
, theater...”, says Ranya Khodr, belonging to the Oman Tourist Office in Paris.
View of the city between the mountains and the sea.
Another of the city's landmarks is the Great Mosque, with an 8.5-ton
Swarovski crystal
chandelier and the world's largest Persian rug (4,000 square meters and hand-woven for 24 years), until it was that of Abu Dhabi, current number one.
The icons continue with
the Corniche viewpoint in the
form of an incense dispenser.
Everyone has one at home, by the way, since it is one of the symbols of the country.
Not surprisingly, he is the number one producer in the world.
Facade of the Great Mosque.
The route through the city continues in the
multicolored palace of the sultan
(or rather, one of them, since he does not live in it, but uses it for receptions).
Nor should we forget that here are some of the most spectacular luxury hotels in the Persian Gulf.
From
The Chedi Hotel,
a refuge of traditional Arab and Indian influence that recreates the aesthetics of Bedouin tents in its gardens, to
Al Bustan Palace
, a palace of the thousand and one nights built by the sultan to accommodate the regional emirs for a summit.
It is among the best five stars internationally.
Infinity pool at the Al Bustan hotel.
Both are located at the foot of the beach, that
beach of white sand and turquoise waters
that characterizes the country's coast, with 3,165 kilometers.
It is not only perfect for lying in the sun in the middle of December, but also for experiencing all kinds of aquatic adventures:
diving, surfing, kayaking ... And
dhow
rides ,
the boat that allows you to
snorkel
and watch dolphins while enjoying an Omani coffee with a
halwa,
typical saffron sweet.
The ship has its own name,
Majan 1
, and "has traveled through
Zanzibar, Mombasa and Yemen
carrying lemons, dates or mangoes," recalls Waqoob Al Habsi, owner of the Explore Muscat tourism company, on board.
Lobby of the five star The Chedi Hotel.
The outskirts of Muscat hide another secret: the
Amouage factory,
the most expensive perfume in the world.
With a Franco-Arabic name, it is made up of 120 ingredients, including frankincense (of course) and myrrh.
"The containers, made of gold, replicate
traditional elements such
as the handle of the Omani dagger (
janyar
), in the case of some masculine fragrances, or the domes of the mosques, in the feminine ones", points out Alexandre Helmani, head of
History of Amouage,
during the presentation of its latest
offspring, Rose Aqor
and
Oud Ulya
, inspired by the rose of the mountains and the homonymous oasis.
He also reveals the four bodily points
where a perfume should be applied:
"The wrist, below the neck, on the inside of the elbow and behind the knee, since crossing the legs will spread the smell".
Factory of the high perfumery firm Amouage.
PRACTICAL GUIDE
HOW TO GET.
Oman Air
,
Qatar Airways
or
Emirates
fly to Muscat with a stopover from €500.
WHERE TO SLEEP AND EAT.
Hormuz Grand Muscat
.
Ideal as a base of operations in the capital.
To the Bustan Palace.
Luxury and sumptuousness in the style of the thousand and one nights.
The Chedi Muscat.
Muscat's most exclusive hideaway.
It is on the beach.
Magic Camp Wahiba.
Five-star 'glamping' in the desert.
Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
Five stars from Minor Hotels (NH Group) on the mountain with a viewpoint, infinity pool, spa and restaurants.
MORE INFORMATION.
On the website of the
Oman Tourist Office
: www.experienceoman.com
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