Travel, life, loves and laughs.
The day is crystal clear as we approach Mykonos old town on our hired moped. We find a park and walk into the vehicle free Old Port area from the North along Polykandrioti (a street named after Thanasis Polykandriotis, a Greek musician). … Read the rest
I’m in Mykonos exploring the main town, old port of Chora and of course, the Windmills of Kato Mili. I have been walking for a while discovering the cobbled streets and sparkling town with its overflow of shops, churches, charm and style.… Read the rest
The incredible Renaissance castle, Castello Odescalchi, sits in the heart of Bracciano and has borne witness to centuries of change. As we arrive in Bracciano on the first leg of our Summer Holidays, it greets us, presiding over the piazza as we unload our bags, the boys too tired to notice, me bewitched and speechless at the sight. … Read the rest
Wadi Aday and Yiti, the nearest town, is an off the beaten track, yet comfortable 1 hour drive, south of Muscat. So the day hasn’t exactly gone to plan so far. Not that I can complain – I spent the morning at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque while my husband ran the kids around in 40+ degrees Celsius at the nearest park and then got picked up and taken to lunch. … Read the rest
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a truly inspiring place both architecturally and spiritually.
It was a very quiet Monday morning when I visited due to Eid and the public holiday. I approached from a side entrance near the car park and was redirected to enter from the main entrance at the front.… Read the rest
Wow! The Royal Opera House is a spectacular sight and I think we caught it at its best light with the pink hues of sunset reflecting off the sparkling new marble. It’s new, with construction only completed in 2011. It’s also grand, and while the main concert hall has capacity for 1100, there is also an auditorium, an art centre, retail and restaurants contained in the complex all set in beautiful formal landscaped gardens.… Read the rest
We were keen to go snorkeling whilst visiting Muscat and had heard excellent reports of the experience. After some research, Bandar Khayran was top of the list of destinations and I proceeded to book an 8 hour Bandar Khayran snorkeling tour with a local company through our hotel (the Coral Muscat Hotel). … Read the rest
The walk from the watchtower near Riyan Park to Al Alam Royal Palace is about 2.5km. It’s a really pleasant walk (even in the heat), along a bay through the old city Gate (also a museum) and down through the old town.… Read the rest
There are many watchtowers in Muscat. Just take a drive and see how many you can spot, perched up on rocky outcrops surveying the surrounds.
This particular watchtower (restored Portuguese) isn’t particularly large or exciting, containing all of two cannons and nothing else, but the steep climb is worth the spectacular views both back towards Mutrah and out across the next bay towards Old Muscat.… Read the rest
Mutrah Souq is a delight to the senses, a chaotic mix of sights, sounds and smells. Enter from the Corniche, near the traffic lights where pedestrians can safely cross over and make your way up the main covered corridor. Be sure to look up as there are a couple of spectacular colored ceilings, both glass and wood.… Read the rest