Pick up from the hotel is at 9.00 am. A sightseeing tour around Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a great chance to inbreathe the Arabic atmosphere and explore the city where the ancient architecture and monuments are intertwined with the modern life.
The first sight on the tour is Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque which is truly a masterpiece of the world architecture. The construction of the mosque took 6 years and it was successfully opened in 2001. The mosque is a traditional building of Islamic architecture made from sandstone and marble. It has got 5 minarets – one main and four side minarets which create a special distinctive look. The internal design of the mosque is rich in authentic mosaic, huge Persian carpets and chandeliers decorated with Swarovski crystals.
Our next stop is the Royal Opera House – the pearl of Oman musical and stage art.
The third sight we can’t miss visiting is Muttrah Souq – the traditional Arabic market located right ashore the Gulf of Oman. That’s an ideal place if you want to have a glimpse of quotidian life of Oman. Just wander along the rows, look at the items of interest, indulge in bargaining and have fun as here you can find everything from spices to traditional rugs, vases or just cute souvenirs. Having seen the market we should also drop in to the Muttrah Fort. The Fort stretches back its history to 1580s when the Portuguese built it. It used to serve as a military defense from the enemies in the past, but today it’s open for tourists.
We continue our journey of Muscat visiting a beautiful Al Alam Palace – the residence of the Sultan. It is guarded by twin forts from both sides so you are likely to enjoy the magnificent scenery. Located in the center of the old city, it always attracts a lot of visitors and, although, people are not allowed to go inside, they can peacefully stroll around and take stunning photos.