Muscat: 20 Mar 2008 to 23 Mar 2008

Oman’s capital enchants visitors in a way that no other city in the Gulf can begin to match. Maybe because Muscat doesn’t have that slightly artificial feel which typifies so much of the rest of the region. The capital’s core districts are named Muscat, Mutrah and Ruwi.

Surrounded by city walls and with very few shops, Muscat, the old port area, is the site of the sultan’s main palace and a fascinatin place to wander around. Northwest of the port is the residential area of Mutrah, home to an excellent souk (market). The modern commercial district of Ruwi rounds out the capital’s layout.

Public gardens and parks are everywhere with Qurum Natural Park, Riam and Kalbouh being the most popular. Try to capture a sunset under a light sea breeze on one of the city’s excellent beaches, and you will find it hard to think of modern Muscat as a desert city.

Excursions:
MYSTICAL MUSCAT

AL HOOTA CAVES AND BAHLA FORT (UNESCO)

OVERLAND TO RAS AL HADD

GRAND MOSQUE AND BAIT AL BARANDA MUSEUM