By Cele & Lynn Seldon
The Persian Gulf and its many Arab international locations stay a cultural enigma to many. However, Windstar’s Sparkling Sands & Cities of the Persian Gulf—one of many line’s a number of Select Sailings—brings this unique area of historic locations and fashionable marvels to life.
Exploring forts and castles from the 16th and 17th centuries, marveling at luxe mosques and castles, visiting Bedouin villages and architectural wonders, buying at genuine souks and fashionable malls, or just stress-free on miles of sentimental sand seashores, the international locations of Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar are a examine in Middle Eastern tradition.
Appealing to historians, tradition buffs, outside adventurers, and buyers, this itinerary actually has one thing for everybody. Here are some can’t-miss highlights:
Muscat, Oman
Before crusing out of Oman’s port capital, arrive early to discover this metropolis of antiquity and modernity. For historical past buffs, don’t miss the majestic 16th century Al Jalali Portuguese fort overlooking the harbor or the Bait Al Zubair Museum for insights into Omani tradition and artifacts.
For a peek into the world of Islam, the fashionable Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with its large dome, 5 minarets, marble partitions and Persian carpet that covers the 45,000-square-foot ground and consists of over 1,700 million knots is a exceptional sight. It can also be the one mosque in Oman open to non-Muslims. Be certain to take a head masking and gown appropriately.
Wandering the streets previous full of life fish markets, exploring conventional Omani artifacts on the Mutrah Souk, window buying at fashionable malls, or wandering the seashores are different nice methods to start out your Persian trip.
Khasab, Oman
The first cease on Windstar’s magical Middle East carpet experience is Khasab, Oman, on the tip of the Musandam Peninsula. A trip vacation spot for Omanis and residents of the United Arab Emirates, Khasab is usually thought of the Norway of Arabia, with its white limestone cliffs and breathtaking fjords. A cruise aboard a standard Omani dhow—a one- or two-lateen-masted crusing vessel—is the proper approach to discover this space’s distinctive geography, with its slim channels, shoreline surroundings, and dolphin encounters.
For a scenic overview of the world, head to Khawr Najd, an impressive viewpoint overlooking the turquoise-blue lagoon the place the mountains meet the ocean.
For different land-based actions, discover the various stone turrets and towers on the 17th century Khasab Fort—together with a museum on native life, in addition to an ethnographic museum, or head to Bassa Beach for sand, surf, and water actions.
Ras Al Khaima, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The most northernly of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, Ras Al Khaima (or RAK City to these within the know) options virtually 40 miles of dazzling shoreline, from pristine seashores to mangroves, creeks, and lagoons surrounded by terra cotta dunes, desert sand, and the mighty Hajar Mountains because the backdrop.
If a day on the seashore doesn’t enchantment, maybe pearling does. An essential buying and selling publish recognized for its magnificent pearls, RAK City has a unprecedented pearl fishing historical past that dates again over seven millennia. Head to Al Jazirah Al Hamra, the one remaining historic pearling village within the Persian Gulf and discover the ghost city remnants of this as soon as vibrant village of over 500 houses, faculties, a mosque, and marketplaces. More pearling historical past—and different archeological and ethnographic artifacts—may be discovered on the National Museum.
For the adventurous, soar down the world’s longest zipline at Jebel Jais.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The capital metropolis (and second most populous) of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is a metropolis wealthy in oil, architectural wonders, magnificent mosques, and one of many world’s highest per capita incomes. The metropolis is an ideal mix of conventional tradition and fashionable facilities and is usually known as the Manhattan of Arabia, with all its large glass skyscrapers.
Don’t miss the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the most important mosque within the nation, masking an space of over 30 acres with room for greater than 40,000 worshippers. Architectural wonders embrace: a floral-designed courtyard that covers roughly 180,000 sq. toes and is taken into account to be the most important piece of mosaic marble on the earth; a large 60,000-square-foot carpet that took two years to finish by greater than 1,200 carpet knotters; and 96 columns in the primary prayer corridor lined with 20,000-plus marble panels inlaid with mom of pearl. Don’t overlook to respect the tradition and gown appropriately.
Other Abu Dhabi websites that shouldn’t be missed are the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Museum; a stroll alongside The Corniche, -5-mile-long promenade with play areas, biking and strolling paths, eating places, cafés and the stainless Corniche Beach; buying on the 370 shops and 60 eating places in Yas Mall; or in search of cultural handicrafts and genuine Arabian souvenirs at one in all a half-dozen conventional souks.
Manama, Bahrain
Bahrain’s capital and largest metropolis, Manama is the financial epicenter of Bahrain, with many commerce, monetary and industrial establishments all through town. However, since Manama is one in all few Islamic international locations the place alcohol is authorized, town has turn into recognized for its thriving nightlife.
As with most cities within the Persian Gulf, Bahrain has a number of forts to discover, together with the Bahrain Fort, the place occupation of the 180,000- square-foot fort has been recorded from 2300 BC to the 16th century. 6,000 years of Bahrain’s historical past additionally comes alive within the Bahrain National Museum.
For a real Bahrain expertise, head to Bab Al Bahrain and the Manama Souk. Filled with textiles, spices, incense, perfumes, handicrafts and souvenirs alongside its slim alleyways—in addition to fashionable merchandise from the world over and conventional cafés, Manama Souk conjures up an genuine historic souk.
Doha, Qatar
Qatar’s capital metropolis and residential to greater than 80 p.c of this rich nation’s inhabitants, Doha is a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis with large skyscrapers, gleaming buying malls, arts and tradition in all places you flip, and an up-and-coming culinary scene.
For a glimpse into cultural artwork, head to the Museum of Islamic Art. Housing one of the crucial spectacular and complete collections of Islamic artwork on the earth, the I.M. Pei-designed constructing is a murals itself. Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art additionally includes a world-class assortment of recent Arab artwork.
Just exterior the Museum of Islamic Art lies the four-mile Corniche, a pedestrian promenade that follows alongside the Doha Bay shoreline and passes lots of Doha’s landmarks. It’s the proper spot for sundown viewing.
Go buying on the Souk Waqif for conventional Arab finds or Villaggio Mall, which options all types of luxe retailers, specialty shops, an ice-skating rink, and indoor canals full with gondolas.
Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates
A go to to San Bani Yas, an island off the coast of UAE and midway between Abu Dhabi and Doha, Qatar, is extra about wildlife, archaeological and geological websites, and historic spiritual constructions than the extra fashionable world of the Gulf area.
Making up greater than half of the island is the Arabian Wildlife Park, house to greater than 17,000 free-roaming animals—lots of that are indigenous to the area, together with Arabian oryx, gazelles, giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, and greater than 100 wild chicken species. Other methods to discover the pure atmosphere of the island is thru 4×4 and journey safaris, kayaking, climbing and mountain biking.
The crest of a salt dome created hundreds of thousands of years in the past by pure geological forces, dozens of archaeological websites and remnants from the Bronze Age and Late Stone Age are scattered throughout the island. There’s additionally a pre-Islamic Christian monastery which was thought to have been constructed round 600AD, deserted in 750AD, and rediscovered throughout excavations in 1992.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The most populous metropolis within the UAE and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, essentially the most populous of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, Dubai is the third-richest nation on the earth and is understood for its fashionable skyscraping structure, über-luxury buying, sports activities and, in fact, Arab arts and tradition.
Plan to increase your journey with a couple of days on this cosmopolitan grownup playground. Highlights embrace: Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest constructing—at 2,772 toes—with the best commentary tower on the earth on the 124th ground for magnificent metropolis views that stretch all the way in which to the Persian Gulf; an academic and guided go to to the Jumeirah Mosque; strolling the cafés, tea homes and artwork galleries of Bastakiya Quarter, town’s historic district; and buying at greater than 1,300 shops on the Dubai Mall (additionally they have an ice skating rink, movie show, aquarium, and a nightly gentle present on the exterior Dubai Fountain), the Gold Souk (one of the crucial famend gold buying and selling facilities on the earth) or the Spice Souk, with flavors from across the globe that make the proper memento of your Persian Gulf trip.