Luxury Oman Holidays

Brush up on bartering techniques, as you’ll need them on holiday in Oman. Haggle for a bargain on aromatic spices, luxurious silks, and traditional souvenirs at one of the country’s many jubilantly chaotic souks. An explosion of colour, Mutrah Souq is Oman’s oldest souk. Wend your way around the maze of tiny shops selling everything from daggers to shoes to famous Omani sweets. Let your nose follow the tantalising scents of frankincense before stopping just outside for a refreshing juice.

Omani desert dunes can rise to over 100 metres and slope at an angle over 45 degrees. For an exhilarating adventure, get behind the wheel of a 4x4 and safari dune bash alongside a Bedouin who knows each speck of sand intimately. Lengthen your stay and live like your Bedouin guides by spending the night in the desert beside your herd of camels, watching the glowing sunset and gazing up at the dazzling starry sky.

Oman is home to numerous ancient forts; stepping through the jewel-shaped archways you’ll be transported back in time. Bahla Fort is not only one of the oldest and biggest forts in the country, but it’s the only Omani fort on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built as early as 500 BC, it comprises numerous wells, towers, and mosques to explore. Allow a good couple of hours to investigate each room in detail.

Lasting for a month from around the end of January, Muscat Festival is a highlight of the capital’s year, featuring nightly fireworks, a ‘living’ replica of an Omani village with sweet-making and craft displays, exhibitions from regional countries, and events such as laser shows and traditional dancing.

Oman is known for its jaw-dropping greenery and oasis in the monsoon season – referred to as khareef. The khareef causes the lands to become covered in green and the hills are often surrounded by white fog. During this season there is a light rain/drizzle almost 24 hours a day.

Omani Shuwa is the national dish of Oman. This dish consists of slow cooked lamb, marinated with spices and usually served over deliciously aromatic basmati rice.

Halwa is considered Oman’s national dessert and is hugely popular wherever you choose to eat. Omani halwa is made with almonds and farina (creamed, milled wheat), caramelized sugar, rose water, saffron, butter and cardamon.

Um ali is a dessert that combines the creaminess of bread pudding and the cinnamon nut stuffing of baklava. This is a wonderful treat whether it is warm out of the oven or cold out of the fridge, and not to be missed during your Oman holidays.