This appealing city is a one-hour flight southeast of Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The modern metropolis has a population of approximately 1.6 million and is a sprawl of mostly white low-rise buildings, which are spread across a coastal plain extending from the northern flank of the Al Hajar Mountains to the Gulf of Oman. Old Muscat, the historic port district of Muttrah and its scenic corniche lie in the coastal hills just to the east. A stay of two or three nights allows time to relax at one’s resort as well as explore the fish market (worth the effort of arising early), Muttrah’s atmospheric souk, Muttrah Fort (for the views), the exterior of the rather futuristic royal palace and a museum or two. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, completed in 2001 and open to non-Muslims, is also well worth a visit.

“Nowhere in Muscat do you see the forests of towers that define the city skylines in the United Arab Emirates."