£4K voucher to spend – Where to go for warmth and culture – Oman?

[Notmyrealname]

As above
60’s couple looking for 10-14 day trip using a BA voucher.

Been Looking at Mexico, but now maybe try Oman?

Self drive option would be our choice, not sure if prices at the moment are good value though?

Thoughts?

[aseftel]

Reposting an old reply. Should fit your brief and budget. I would consider padding the itinerary with an extra day at Jabal al Akhdar, Desert and Muscat. Alternatively you could spend a few nights at a beach resort e.g. Shangri-la.

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Here’s a rough itinerary for a week, focused on history/culture/natural sights, and assuming you have hired a car (SUV), based on a trip I did in 2018:

Day 1: Muscat: Al Mirani Fort, Riyam Park, Corniche, Mutrah Souq
Day 2: Drive to a Jabal al Akhdar mountain resort (e.g. Anantara/Alila) for a combination of relaxation/hiking, stay the night
Day 3: Drive down in the afternoon to one of the desert camps near Bidiyah (e.g. Desert Nights). Take in the desert sunset etc.
Day 4: Drive back to Muscat along the coast, exploring some of the wadis along the coastal route (e.g. Wadi Shab, Wadi Tiwi) and Bimmah Sinkhole. Arrive late, leave early.
Day 5: Visit Nakhal fort and Rustaq fort. Take the Wadi Sahtan Rd pass through the mountains (this was not for the faint hearted but very rewarding – essentially off road in places), stay the night at Misfah Old House
Day 6: Explore Al Hamra old town, side trip to Jibreen Castle and Bahla fort if you liked the forts the previous day, explore Wadi Ghul, stay the night at a Jabal Shams resort
Day 7: Spend the day hiking Jabal Shams, back to Muscat in the evening (perhaps somewhere more luxurious/beachy, you’ve earned it)
Day 8: Muscat: Grand Mosque/Opera House

[SamG]

BA doesn’t fly to Oman anymore and fares on Qatar have been quite high recently so it may not be the best use of a BA voucher

[Notmyrealname]

Thanks to both