HIT THE ROAD

TAKING THE scenic route

If you’ve ever considered a road trip through Oman, now is the perfect time

Jabal Villa Master Bedroom

Dense fog, lush greenery, vast waterfalls, wild waves, seemingly endless desert, rolling dunes, winding wadis, Mars-like mountainscape, abandoned towns, bustling cities, countless camels, baby goats and a few donkeys – these are just a handful of things you will see in Oman when you experience it on four wheels. Exploring Oman’s natural wonders by car allows you to witness many of the country’s most underrated assets. So, armed with a full tank of fuel, our favourite snacks and essential road trip tunes, we hit the road from Dubai. sea level, we imagine every room has a mountain

The journey begins with a six-hour drive view. To reach the hotel you’ll need a 4x4, and our to Alila Jabal Akhdar, where we check transport of choice is a Mini Cooper Countryman. into a mountain view room, although The small but mighty vehicle is the perfect size, with realistically, as we’re 2,000 metres above plenty of space for luggage (and snacks) and has more than enough power and agility to get us across the diverse types of terrain we come across throughout the road trip. The resort is totally remote, and the stark silence is a welcome change from city life as we sip coffee on our balcony in the morning. With a breathtaking infinity pool that stretches into the mountainous view, the hotel’s location and facilities sell themselves. However, the superb dining options and faultless service are an additional bonus.

Alila Jabal Akhdar Pool

Alila Hinu Bay Pool Villa below you. You can get a decent view throughout the morning (weather dependent), but the best time to arrive is at sunrise. Wadi Durbat is a popular spot to visit, with cascading waterfalls and boat rides around the lake, but unless you enjoy sharing your experience with hundreds of other tourists, we’d give this one a miss. Instead, drive to Dolphins Beach, given its name due to the high probability of watching wild dolphins happily bounce along the horizon. Even if you don’t manage to see them, you’ll enjoy a secluded patch of sand and calm waves, set beneath a picturesque mountain – many of Salalah’s beaches are rocky and overgrown, so this one is worth the trip. The drive along the coast road alone is truly magical, with natural beauty around each winding bend. On our final day, we make our way up the eastern coastline towards Muscat. While it’s not the most efficient route home, it’s certainly the most beautiful. The varying landscapes we come across are somewhat mindblowing, and unlike the busy one-lane drive down to Salalah, on the way back we rarely encounter other cars, giving us free reign to enjoy the mountains, desert and beachside roads to ourselves. We pass through many small towns throughout the journey, which show the reality of how many people in Oman live, built with all the necessities needed for a simple life. Villages next to the sea are stacked up

When it’s time for the next leg of our trip, a 7am departure with fishing boats, while many of the towns further into the is required. We’re headed to Alila’s second Oman-based resort, desert have been abandoned, likely due to extreme weather found close to Salalah in Hinu Bay. The ‘quick route’ cuts right conditions and lack of infrastructure. through the middle of the country and takes us across almost Seeing an alternative side to Oman, away from luxe resorts 1,000km of completely untouched land. Empty desert fades and tourist attractions, gives us a new perspective of the country into harsh dusty conditions, before slowly turning greener as and a deeper understanding of its culture. While the view of we approach the coast. Oman’s annual monsoon season, called mountains and beaches can be enjoyed from a hotel room, it’s Khareef, runs until September, meaning for three months, thick venturing into the unknown and soaking up the surroundings cloud envelops the huge mountain that blocks the desert from the that will imprint the experience in your memory forever. beach. As we approach it, we find our thermostat dropping from For more information on the hotels visit alilahotels.com. 45° Celsius to 25° Celsius in less than half an hour, and soon we’re To find out more about Mini visit mini-dubai.com passing through dense fog and mist with minimal visibility. The surroundings we can see, however, offer lush greenery and thick forest, clearly benefitting from the intense moisture. When we reach the coast, conditions are still overcast, and the ocean waves are thrashing aggressively against the beach rocks.

After eight-and-a-half hours, we make it to Alila Hinu Bay and are welcomed with a refreshing hibiscus tea. The boutique property features both rooms and villas, and ours has a private pool, beach view and outdoor seating area. The interiors are gorgeous, featuring a modern, beachy design with chic furnishings and a part-alfresco bathroom.

The hotel offers excursions, but we’re here for a solo adventure so we hop back in our trusty Countryman and head to Jabal Samhan. During Khareef season the clouds lay low, meaning when you’re on top of the mountain, the fluffy white pillows sit

Jabal Samhan

TOP TIPS FOR THE ROAD

■ Give yourself plenty of time at the border and make sure you have all your documents ready (including Oman car insurance) ■ Police check points may also be along your route so keep your ID, documents, insurance and car registration to hand ■ Keep your eyes peeled for speed cameras – Oman has a 10kph buffer (unlike 20kph in most of the UAE) ■ Watch out for speed bumps, especially in small towns where they tend to blend into the road and are not always sign-posted

Dolphins Beach

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FOUR TICKETS TO SEE FONTANA, A NEW AQUATIC CIRCUS IN DUBAI

Fontana, the first travelling water circus in the Middle East is heading to Dubai at the end of September. Produced by Cirque Du Liban, the whole family will love this circus performance which takes place under a tailor-made aqua theatre. There are dancers, aerialists and more incredible circus thrills that will leave you on the edge of your seat. And if that wasn’t enough, the action is paired with a musical dancing fountain.

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BRUNCH FOR FOUR AT CÉ LA VI DUBAI

Spend a Saturday afternoon with loved ones at Brunch on 54, Cé La Vi Dubai. You and three friends will be able to indulge in a set menu while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Dubai Skylines. Set against the picturesque view of the Burj Khalifa, this spectacular brunch is filled with groovy and alluring beats and live entertainment making it an excellent source of fun. Guests enjoy delectable food curated by Chef Howard Ko and unlimited house beverages.

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