Finding Shangri-La

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A RESORT WITH a VIEW Starting clockwise left: the stunning Al Husn pool, the relaxing and tranquil private beach and the view from courtyard make the Shangri-Las Bar Al Jissah resort the ideal place to unwind and watch the world go by

Art director, T enjoy s the private VIP beia, ach

Feeling the effects of pre-Christmas stress already? Inner peace and tranquility are only an hours flight away, says Tia Seifert

s our diaries fill up with a steady stream of activity thanks to the holiday season, it may be wise to restore the soul with a short getaway to Omans capital, Muscat. From its mountainous backdrop to its dazzling white-walled streets, everything about Muscat screams sanctuary a cultured escape from our hectic lives. As soon as we arrive in Muscat we experience its warm

hospitality as we are greeted at the airport by a local driver, a friendly handshake and an Audi (thank you Shangri-La). The 45-minute drive to the hotel highlights the jaw-dropping contrasts between Muscat, with its butter-coloured mountains and low-rise developments, and the UAE. Indeed, the Sultan of Oman banned the building of skyscrapers, which means residents and tourists

alike get to enjoy the natural landscape virtually uninterrupted.

What to do
If youre hungry for culture, then there is no better place to get your fix than the Royal Opera House. Opened in 2011, this stunning venue holds its own with some of the worlds most prestigious theatres and includes programmes such as classical ballet, arabesque (Arabian music

and dance) performances, musical theatre, jazz and, of course, opera. Last years impressive opening season included the likes of Plcido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, Yo Yo Man and Wynton Marsalis. For the opening weekend of the current season, the London Philharmonic Orchestra performed a selection of Broadway and off-Broadway hits from Gershwin to Webber to, ahem, Abba. The Royal Opera House has a

list of house policies that are worth perusing before you visit. The dress code, for instance, requires dinner jackets for men and belowthe-knee dresses for ladies; we saw two separate groups refused entrance for not following the rules. For schedule information and to book your tickets visit www.rohmuscat.org.om. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a beautiful structure, which non-Muslims are allowed
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to explore as long as you are dressed appropriately (body and hair covered). Fans of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi will enjoy this Omani tribute to the religion. Dont forget to ask your hotels concierge about an organised wadi trip. Drive up into the mountains before stopping off and taking a gentle hike through the weaving rock faces. During the right seasons you can dive into the wadis crystal clear waters, swim into caves and bob about beneath waterfalls. Magical. belly dancing and live musical performances, it leaves guests both spellbound and eager to participate. There are 11 restaurants in total at Barr Al Jissah and it would take several visits to really get a sense of the wide variety of culinary choice available, but on our next visit well be sure to check out the popular Bait Al Bahr, a restaurant that serves locally caught seafood in a romantic, quiet setting directly on the beach.

Where to stay
Several luxury resorts have cropped up in Muscat in recent years to take advantage of guests hankering after the capitals peace and splendour. We were lucky enough to get a room at the Shangri-Las Barr Al Jissah, a resort with some prime real estate on the Arabian Sea. With its own sparkling bay and home to three different hotels with different price tags, the Shangri-La resort is a venue itching to be explored. The largest of the hotels, Al Waha, is a family-friendly hotel that offers kids a variety of playgrounds and aquatic adventures, including a lazy river that carries guests between all three hotels. Al Bandar, the central hotel, is built to resemble a traditional town and contains most of the resorts mid-priced restaurants and a good selection of bars. We found ourselves in the Piano Lounge after a late arrival on our first night and were delighted to discover a themed Martini night that merits praise for its perfectly poured nightcaps. Both hotels offer enough to keep even the most demanding guests occupied with luxury and leisure. The final hotel, Al Husn, our home for the duration of our stay, is designed to look like a royal Arabian Palace and they treat their guests accordingly. We tuck into complimentary afternoon tea served with a variety of pastries and sandwiches and take advantage of pre-dinner drinks served at sunset out on the terrace. With private beach access exclusive to Al Husn guests, this accommodating hotel is the perfect place to achieve that much sought-after renewal.

Time to relax
Tucked away from the hotels, the resorts spa is a short walk and even shorter golf cart ride down a tree-lined path into a peaceful sanctuary. Chi the Spa offers traditional Asian practices and therapies, as well as Omani rituals such as the hammam, and body wraps that use traditional ingredients, such as frankincense and rose. After soaking up some steam, I enjoy a 90-minute aroma vitality massage that brings together Swedish, shiatsu and reflexology methods for a full body energy boost. With an attentive masseur and a perfectly blissful music compilation by Ila playing in the background, I feel all my knots, aches and pains dissolve.

Where to eat
We begin each morning with a hearty breakfast at Sultanah restaurant. While sipping a delicious fresh fruit blend known as the morning booster, guests have a choice of ordering la carte or helping themselves to a wide array of buffet options, including healthy, low-fat dishes. The evenings see plenty of dining options, but Sultanah also doubles up as one of the Shangri-Las signature restaurants and the terrace overlooking the sea is too good to pass up, so we had our first dinner right back where we started. Were glad we did, too, as it serves remarkably good Modern European cuisine, with the menu featuring melt-in-themouth Wagu tenderloin and the Austrian kaiserschmarrn dessert. The intimate and starryeyed experience of Sultanah is wonderfully complemented the following night by the bustling atmosphere of Fairouz. A Lebanese restaurant serving traditional food alongside

A taste of Muscat

WaTER BaBY Al Waha, the family-friendly hotel, offers children a variety of playgrounds and aquatic adventures, including a lazy river that carries guests between hotels. Right: The beach-side terrace at Sultanah

Getting there
If youre up for the scenic route and time is on your side, make a road trip out of your holiday and drive to Muscat from Dubai in less than five hours by crossing the border in Hatta. Make sure to call ahead to ensure you have car insurance for Oman, or you can purchase slightly pricier temporary coverage at the Omani border. There are many airlines that operate out of the various emirates that will take you direct to Oman in around an hour, but flydubai operates three flights a day from Dubai from as little as Dhs619 for a return fare. For more information or to book visit www.flydubai.com

Pablo soup
SERVES: 5

INGREDIENTS
 50ml olive oil 100g onion, chopped  100g garlic, crushed  100g potatoes, cubed  100g green pepper, cubed 100g tomatoes, chopped  10g turmeric powder  10g red chilli powder  1lt fish stock

METHOD 1. Heat the pot with olive oil. Add the chopped onion and garlic and saute over a low heat. 2.  Add potato cubes, green

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WORDS: TiA SEifERT. IMAGES: SUPPLiED, TiA SEifERT

 250g cooked tuna chunks  50ml lemon juice  Salt and pepper to taste

pepper and chopped tomato into the mix, then add turmeric and chilli powder. 3.  Add fish stock and bring to the boil. Leave to simmer for 20 minutes. 4.  Finally, add the tuna chunks and lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with warm rolls for dunking.

Top five must-dos

Enjoy a show at the Royal Opera House................ Dive into clear wadi waters on an organised tour................................................................... Drive along the waterfront and stop for a look at the Sultans Palace........................................... Visit Sultan Qaboos Mosque.................................... Snorkel in the Arabian Sea and try to spot a turtle.....................................................................
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