OMAN: WHERE SEA VIEWS AND GOLDEN SANDS TAKE A STARRING ROLE

YOU WILL NEVER RUN OUT OF OPTIONS FOR BESPOKE EXPERIENCES IN OMAN. FROM SAILING IN LUXURY, WHIFFING ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE PERFUME BRANDS IN THE WORLD TO STAYING AT THE HIGHEST LUXURY RESORT IN THE MIDDLE EAST (AMONG THE HIGHEST ANYWHERE) AND SWIMMING IN A STUNNING SINKHOLE, THIS SULTANATE, THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, HAS ENOUGH TO KEEP YOU OCCUPIED DURING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY

- Khursheed Dinshaw

SAILING IN THE GULF OF OMAN

THE luxurious speed boats docked at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha in Muscat are a welcome sight but none of them are your sailing vessel. You do things with panache and hire a private yacht to set sail on the Gulf of Oman to spot dolphins. The best time to sight them is early morning and the best months to explore Oman’s diverse marine life are between April and July.

The warm waters of the Gulf attract these mammals who migrate here making it a memorable half-day outing. Even if you don’t sight dolphins, let your personal staffpamper you with a picnic or a beach barbeque. You can dive, snorkel or try your hand at angling. The Gulf is home to lobsters, prawns, squids, tuna and barracudas. Four species of turtles — green, loggerhead, olive ridley and hawksbill — make their nests on Oman’s beaches.

While you are living the good life on your yacht with the Hazar Mountains in the backdrop, you look out and the Al Alam Palace becomes visible. This is the ceremonial palace which stands out with its blue and gold facade in contrast to the other white and off-white structures of Muscat. It derives its name from the flagpole on its roof which is the tallest in Muscat. Al Alam is the venue of official events and is used to welcome VIPs and dignitaries.

Let your gaze shift to the Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts which are located on either side of the Palace. These forts were constructed in the 16th century and during the rule of the Portuguese, this area was the primary harbour from where all trade was carried out.

AMOUAGE PERFUMES