OMAN — EXCITING TRAVEL GEM IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Muscat shines as a safe luxury vacation spot in the Middle East. As turmoil in Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon make them unappealing to holiday travelers, other countries such as Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Jordan see their tourism numbers increasing, especially from Europe and the U.K.

What brings people to Oman? With a history that dates back to 3000 BC, Oman began its modern day transformation in 1970 when Sultan Qaboos bin Said took over the country from his father. Endowed with beautiful, unspoiled beaches, scenic mountain ranges, and majestic desert vistas, Oman offers many opportunities for unique travel experiences. Its many five star luxury resorts offer visitors a range of choices.

Luxury adventure enthusiasts can look forward to customized desert safaris at luxury camps which include 4X4 land cruiser touring, camel rides, dune buggies, mosque and castle visits, dolphin watching, diving, snorkeling, and Green Back Turtle sightings. It is also possible to take a sunset champagne hot air balloon ride over the desert.

In addition to a large sprawling souk in Muscat, a dazzling gold souk is also located nearby. Both are major attractions.

For me, the most beautiful and inspiring building in Muscat is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque that opened in May 2001. As you approach it, the structure is an imposing 40,000 square meters (over 430,000 square feet) on a site measuring 416,000 square meters. Unique for most mosques, the Grand Mosque is open to non-Muslims from 8 am to 11 am daily except Fridays. Clothing for all entering must be modest, and women are required to cover their heads.

The atmosphere was very welcoming for our group, and there was a feeling of genuine hospitality in sharing an educational experience. It was an openness meant to foster an understanding of their culture and religion.

It was impossible not to react to the enormous size of the main hall, where over 6000 people can worship at once. The beauty of the interior was also immediately apparent.

On the floor is a one-piece, hand woven Persian rug that weighs 21 tons and took four years to make. From a ceiling of intricate wood panels hangs a massive Swarovski chandelier that is 46 feet tall and was the largest in the world until 2010. The metalwork on the chandelier is plated in 24 carat gold.

The whole interior is in marble with cut tile work, and gilded mural panels line the walls with ceramic floral and geometric patterns. Stained glass windows echo the patterns of the murals. The effect is stunning, but not always easy to capture in a photo.

For a chance to visit this beautiful mosque and enjoy all the other delights of Oman, the best time to visit is from October through April to avoid the hottest weather.

Do you like to travel to exotic locations that most people have not discovered yet?