Cultural Muscat

 
Muscat city, a thriving & strategically located port of the Arabian Peninsula in ancient times, is the capital of modern Oman and the hub of its political, economic and commercial affairs. Its medieval appearance with 2 Old Portuguese forts flanking the rocky cove around which the city is built makes it a unique and unusually exotic place.

We first visit the Grand Mosque, a most beautiful architectural piece of work. The Mosque was built over a period of 6 years from 1995 to 2001. The main chandelier is made of pure Swarovski crystal and the carpet adorning the large prayer hall was woven by experts, made out of pure Persian silk. From the Mosque, we will drive through the Embassy road (please note that it is forbidden to take photographs).
 

 
Our next stop is the Muttrah souk, a traditional and integral part of Omani life for centuries. The souk provides an excellent hunting ground for souvenirs such typical Omani souvenirs like Frankincense, perhaps the most known fragrance in the world, the Khanjar (a curved Dagger worn by Omani men on ceremonial & cultural occasions), beautiful silver Ornaments & handicrafts.  We then move on to the Bait Al Zubair Museum situated in Old Muscat, this place gives amazing glimpses of the lifestyle and traditions of ancient and modern Muscat.  From here we shall proceed to see the Sultan’s Palace (video filming is prohibited) surrounded by the 2 Forts of Mirani and Jalali built by the Portuguese in the 16^th century.
 

The final destination is at the Al Bustan Palace hotel where we will halt for a photo-stop. This hotel was especially built for the 15^th National day to accommodate the entire world’s leaders and delegates who came to attend the function and is therefore one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.