Our staff explore this amazing region of Oman

Salalah is Oman’s second city after its capital Muscat. It’s located in the South of Oman in the region of Dhofar and I was immediately struck by the verdant, tropical nature of Salalah. Greenery is not what you envisage when you think of a country in the Middle East. I loved the tropical, viridescent scenery in this part of Oman. When we landed in Salalah we had a quick stop at a shop to sample the local fruit and produce. There was a vast array of exotic fruits to choose from, and I’m not really a fan of coconut, however after the flights it was a refreshing and tasty treat!

Our first hotel stop was at the stunning Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. It is located between a private beach and a freshwater lagoon and is the first and only pool villa resort in Salalah. My favourite aspect of this hotel was its beautiful beach.  There are a wide range of activities at the resort for guests to choose from. There are a range of water sports, yoga, tennis, cookery, and mixology cooking classes. There is also a kids club and teens club. The property is home to Salalah’s first hammam. Alas, we didn’t get to sample the treatments at the spa. Perhaps an activity for next time!

Our final stop in Salalah was Alila Hinu Bay, which is situated on the southwest coast with a scenic rocky terrain backdrop. It is set over 45 hectares of untouched beachfront opening onto the Arabian Sea. My favourite aspect of this resort, aside from the beautiful setting, is the range of activities that you can enjoy. On our first morning we had an early 8am start down at the lagoon to embark on a kayaking experience. I must admit that I was a bit nervous about this, but after settling into the kayak, my fears were allayed as I sat back to enjoy the spectacular scenery and watch the day unfold. The instructor was brilliant, patient and determined for us to see flamingos that were bobbing on the horizon, against an unsullied sky. We probably spent a good hour on the water. It was an exhilarating and magical way to start the day.

No rest for the wicked, up next was mountain biking. I like to consider myself a hardy soul and this next experience was not for the faint hearted. We set off on our bikes and did a little trek on and off road, enjoying the beautiful scenery, jagged rocks and undulating hills that adorned the surrounding area. I was so taken in by the whole experience that I was unaware that my helmet was wonky.

After our hearty morning, we finished off with a mixology class! Who’d have thought that camel milk would be so delicious, and very good for you. It was thoroughly enjoyable watching everyone chose their ingredients and have a go with the shaker to make their drink. Sampling the fruits of our labour was great too.

My short stay in Salalah was magical, and I can recommend this beautiful region as an add-on to anyone doing a tour of Oman as it gives you a great perspective of this enchanting country.