Senior Travel in Muscat

Senior Travel in Muscat
An old-fashioned Gulf country seeped in traditional, natural beauty, Oman is mostly uncontaminated by tourism, skyscrapers and money. Ruled by a kind Sultan, Quaboos, Oman is the ideal place for senior travelers wanting a little peace and quiet while visiting some of the world’s majestic mountains, stunning beaches, gorgeous sun-dapple deserts and open-minded locals. Here are the top World 66 activities for seniors:

Qurum National Park

Covering more than a million square meters, Qurum National Park features an array of activities for the traveler willing to spend a few hours exploring its hidden treasures. Besides the obvious, such as the large lake, the gorgeous, ornately carved fountain and a fragrant rose garden, you can also find species of rare birds and shrubs. Just take a stroll on one of the park’s marked trails to see the birds, local flora and maybe even wild monkey.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Did you know the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the third largest in the world? And it’s open to non-Muslim visitors, a rare occurrence. Hours for non-Muslims are from 8am to 11am daily, except on Fridays. Women are advised to keep their ankles, feet and heads covered with a shawl or scarf. In this gorgeous mosque, you can admire the ancient crystal, Persian carpets and clay and marble walls covered in fine carvings.

Mutrah Souk

Souk means 'marketplace,' and in Oman these shops are as popular as in other Middle Eastern countries. The souks in Muscat vary, but the best one to attend is in the city centre. Here you will find plenty of colorful souvenirs to send back home, from Omani crafts and baskets to clothing, old books and jewelry. You can also enjoy freshly cooked fish and vegetables at one of the many souk stands. A few of these shops take credit cards.

Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace

Situated on the edge of a sparkling blue lake and bordered by the Mirani and Jelali buildings, the Qasr Al Alam Royal Palace is the workplace of Oman’s ruler, Sultan Qaboos. The beautiful architecture and majestic attitude of the buildings is definitely worth a photograph or two.

Bait Muzna Gallery, Muscat

Muscat’s most famous art gallery, Bait Muzna traditionally displays Omani artwork, paintings and sculptures by local and international artists. Like the world’s best museums, here you can find a variety of exhibitions catering to the diverse tastes of every artist out there. In January 2010, Bait will be showing the collective work of artists Hassan Meer (Oman), Camille Zakharia (Lebanon) and Budoor Al Riyami (Oman), among others. The title of photography piece is called, “Kan Ya Ma Kan”, which means “Once Upon a Time”.