SALALAH
Famous for its summer monsoon season (known locally as the 'khareef'), the lush green oasis of Salalah is one of the most distinctive destinations in the Middle East. The capital of the Dhofar region, which stretches from the borders of Yemen to the sands of the Empty Quarter, Salalah is a hugely popular destination among GCC residents looking to escape the summer heat. Despite this, the cooler and drier winter months remain the busiest period for international tourists visiting the area.
What’s there
Khareef Festival: Staged from mid-July to the end of August, the festival showcases local arts and culture and is a major attrac- tion for visitors travelling to the area during the summer months.
Archaeological digs: Salalah's rich history and pristine environment makes it a haven for archaeological sites. There are three main excavation sites located in nearby Al Mughsil, each offering an insight into the region's ancient past, with mosques, tombs and city walls all being uncovered.
Hotel snapshot
The five-star Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah is located close to the beach and features 153 guestrooms, a restaurant, a poolside bar, and a bar/lounge. Recreational amenities include a golf course, outdoor pool, a chil- dren's pool, a health club, and a sauna. The property also features extensive meet- ings space, consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, and a ballroom. Salalah's other five-star property is the Salalah Hilton. The hotel includes a busi- ness centre, retail area, as well as extensive leisure facilities, including of a state-of-the- art gym and outdoor pool.
The Salalah Marriott Resort is set on the white sandy beaches of Mirbat Cove and at the foot of Jebel Samhan, 80 kilometres from Salalah International Airport. The resort features 170 rooms, 67 suites and 51 luxurious beach chalets. There is 595 square metres of meeting space comprising three meeting rooms. The largest meeting room is the Mirbat Ballroom covering 335 square metres and offering a maximum seating capacity of 350. There are seven F&B outlets in total plus an Executive Lounge for guests staying in the suites. Additional key facilities include a 2,000 square metre pool – the largest in Oman, spa, fitness centre, sports and water sports.
SOHAR
The ancient capital of Oman and a long-time maritime stronghold, Sohar, is named after Noah's great-grandson and famed for being the home of Sinbad the Sailor. Sohar was once a powerful trading hub and was known as the Gate to China because of its role as a jumping-off point for Asian trade. The original city was destroyed in the 10th century and never regained its former pre- eminence, but has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years as a vital commercial centre with the construction of a new industrial and container port.
What’s there
The Sohar Fort: Built around the 1st cen- tury AD, the fort is one of the city's major landmarks. Built on a hilltop, it has five imposing towers and is the only Omani fort that is whitewashed.
Wadi Heebi: Located around 60 kilome- tres from the city, Wadi Heebi is a great place for a picnic. The village of Heebi features a collection of ancient dwellings.
The neighbouring village of Al Ghudafary has an old falaj (irrigation system) supplying gardens that yield dates and papayas.
Hotel snapshot
The Sohar Beach by Swiss-Belhotel is a four- star, 45 guestroom property features a busi- ness centre and extensive conference facilities. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool, a children's pool and a health club. The five-star luxury Crowne Plaza Sohar is 9km from Sohar's Special Economic Zone in the Port of Sohar and around two hours' drive from both Muscat International Airport and Dubai International Airport. The property features 126 guestrooms and nine suites, as well as extensive conference facilities including a ballroom capable of accommodating up to 350 guests. The brand new Millennium Resort Mus- sanah is located between Barka and Sohar. It is being pitched as a business and meet- ings resort and features 234 rooms and 74 apartments, extensive meeting space and facilities, and its own private marina.
The ancient capital of Oman, Sohar is named after Noah’s great-grandson and famed for being the home of Sinbad the Sailor
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