There is something magical about traveling with family – especially when you have little ones in tow. When we – my husband Siddharth, our infant Sara, and I decided to explore Oman and UAE with our cousins Nirav, Nilisha, and their toddler Amaaya, we knew we were in for an adventure. Let me take you through our 11-day journey filled with mountain mists, turtle encounters, and modern marvels.
Our adventure began on September 29th, boarding an Etihad Airways flight from Ahmedabad. After a quick 3-hour layover in Abu Dhabi, we landed in Muscat. Our private ride was ready to take us to Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort. But the real adventure started with our drive to Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort. Picture this – winding mountain roads leading up to one of the most fascinating regions of Oman – Jebel Akhdar. As we drove up into the Al Hajar Mountains, the scenery completely changed. The flat, sandy plains turned into breathtaking mountain views, and the temperature dropped as we climbed 2,000 meters above sea level. It felt like entering a whole new place. Now – Jebel Akhdar is like a hill station – completely contradictory to our image of Middle Eastern countries. So, we were in awe of this place.
When we checked in our Premier Canyon View Room at Anantara, the view was awesome —terraced farms, small villages, and even the holiday home of Qatar King far off in the distance. That evening, nature had a surprise for us. While we were having dinner at the hotel, something surprising happened—it started to rain! What seemed normal to us was special here. Other diners rushed to take photos, and we realized how rare rain is in Oman. We were tired but happy as we headed to our rooms, excited to see more the next day.
The next morning, we woke up to an incredible sight—thick fog rolling through the valleys, with clouds floating just outside our window. It felt like we were above the clouds, adding a magical touch to the peaceful mountain views. The breakfast was amazing—fresh dates, local dry fruits, and plenty of tasty veg options. We also enjoyed the Middle Eastern dips and spreads, which were a great find, especially for us vegetarians.
This day, we had to go on the three-village hiking tour, though, with our little ones, we decided to explore just one village. Sara stayed cosy in her baby carrier, while Amaaya eagerly took the lead on our little adventure. Our guide told us interesting stories about the ancient Falaj irrigation system that has helped these mountain communities for many years. The afternoon was spent exploring nearby scenic points before returning to the hotel for a relaxing dinner.
After breakfast, we headed towards Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, making our first stop at the historic city of Nizwa.
The 17th-century Nizwa Fort is a great example of Omani engineering and architecture. Its large central tower gives stunning views of the Hajar Mountains and the date palm plantations. Our next stop was the popular Nizwa Souq. It is a treasure trove of Omani culture – we picked up traditional souvenirs, premium dates, and the famous Omani Frankincense and attars. Now – Frankincense is a scented resin from trees used for thousands of years in perfumes, incense, and medicine. It’s famous in Oman for its cultural importance and production.
Our drive continued through the coastal city of Sur, known for its traditional dhow shipbuilding yards and rich maritime heritage. It was a perfect pit stop before reaching our final destination for the day. By evening, we reached Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve. The turtle reserve experience deserves a chapter of its own. Staying in luxury eco-tents overlooking the beach was magical enough, but the real show began at night. Now, this place is popular not just for turtles but also for spectacular star gazing. Thanks to the remoteness of this reserve + zero light pollution – we witnessed a sky filled with zillion stars.
After soaking in this experience – our guide led us to the nesting sites using only red lights to avoid disturbing the turtles. He explained to us the incredible process. We were fortunate to witness a turtle laying her eggs. Else visitors would have to wait for hours to watch this natural wonder. It was fascinating to learn how these magnificent creatures return to their birthplace to nest, digging deep holes in the beach to protect their eggs. Back at our luxury eco-tent, the sound of waves and the knowledge that we were part of something so special made for an unforgettable night.
The next morning, en route to Muscat, we couldn’t resist stopping at the Bimmah Sinkhole. It is a natural swimming pool formed by limestone erosion. The crystal-clear turquoise waters against the rocky walls created a mesmerizing sight, and we couldn’t resist a refreshing dip before continuing our journey.
Our next stop was the W Muscat, a beautiful beachfront hotel that perfectly blends Omani culture with modern luxury. We checked in and decided to have the much-needed rest. In the evening we explored and enjoyed the many amenities at the hotel. The massive 24/7 pool of the hotel became our evening retreat. Just a short walk from our hotel was the famous Royal Opera House Muscat. We did not get a chance to watch a show but exploring this architectural masterpiece with its elegant arches, marble corridors, intricate Islamic patterns, and beautiful landscaped gardens make it a cultural landmark worth visiting.
We started this day with a refreshing morning stroll along the Shatti Al Qurum Beach, watching the calm waters of the Gulf of Oman lap against the shores. The cool ocean breeze and sound of the waves created a serene ambiance, setting the perfect mood for our Muscat city tour.
Our Muscat city tour began with the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Its stunning architecture features striking white marble, a large dome, and elaborate details. The mosque can hold up to 20,000 worshippers and has a stunning chandelier – the second largest in the world – that adds to its beauty. You can explore the mosque and learn about Omani culture and traditions. After this architectural masterpiece, we explore other popular landmarks in the city like the Mutrah Corniche, Mutrah Souq, and Al Alam Palace. After a long day of exploring, we headed back to W Muscat to unwind for the evening.
Next up – Dubai! The next day, we left our hotel and drove to the airport for our flight to Dubai.
After checking into the InterContinental Dubai Marina, we took a break to refresh. After relaxing for some time, we took an evening stroll along Dubai Marina Beach. It’s perfect for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the stunning views of the city skyline and the marina. We were amazed to see a Chipotle restaurant that had just opened two days ago. We had our dinner at Chipotle and savouring this familiar taste in Dubai was quite exciting.
The next day in Dubai was packed with excitement. Our first stop was the Museum of the Future. Here, we explored what the future might look like with fun exhibits that showed new technology and innovations. We visited the Green Planet, an indoor rainforest that fascinated both kids and adults with its diverse wildlife. You can see a variety of plants and animals, like colourful birds and sloths, all in a lush, tropical environment. It’s a great place to learn about biodiversity and experience the beauty of nature up close.
In the evening, we ascended to the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa, where the panoramic views of Dubai left us speechless. The Dubai Fountain show that followed was spectacular – a symphony of water, light, and music against the backdrop of downtown Dubai.
This day we decided to explore the Palm Jumeirah area. We were eager to explore the metro in Dubai and thus decided to take a metro ride to reach Palm Jumeirah.
It gave us a different perspective of Dubai. The Palm’s architectural marvel impressed us – seeing this man-made island with its fronds housing luxury resorts and residences was remarkable. We spent the afternoon exploring the open spaces and taking in the coastal views. As the sun set over Palm Jumeirah, shining a golden light on the clear water, we ended our day with a peaceful family dinner at a restaurant by the water. We watched as the city lights started to twinkle like stars coming down to the earth.
The next morning, we said goodbye to Dubai and set off for Abu Dhabi.
We checked into the beautiful Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, where modern style meets warm Arabian hospitality. October 7th, Siddharth’s birthday, began with excitement as we headed to Warner Bros. World. It is an immersive indoor theme park where our children’s faces lit up at the sight of their favourite cartoon characters coming to life. From the vibrant streets of Cartoon Junction to the action-packed thrills of Gotham City, every corner of this climate-controlled wonderland offers a new adventure.
The day culminated with a romantic dinner at Cipriani. It has beautiful views of the city skyline, making it a great place to dine. The restaurant serves delicious Italian dishes, like homemade pasta and carpaccio, made with fresh ingredients. Its lively atmosphere and elegant decor make it perfect for special occasions or a nice night out.
The following day brought more excitement as we visited SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.
SeaWorld offers an exciting mix of thrilling rides and amazing marine life exhibits. You can enjoy shows featuring sea lions and dolphins, making it a fun experience for the whole family. Sara was thrilled by the dolphin shows, and Amaaya was fully absorbed in the marine biology sessions. The girls were delighted by the cute penguins waddling around, adding an extra touch of magic to the day. We adults also loved the exhibits and rides. As the day drew to a close, we shared our favourite moments of the trip while watching the sunset paint the Abu Dhabi skyline in hues of pink and orange. The gentle sea breeze carried with it the promise of more adventures to come, as we prepared for our next destination on this unforgettable family holiday.
As our flight took off from Abu Dhabi to Ahmedabad on October 9th, I couldn’t help but reflect on our incredible journey.
From the misty mountains of Oman to the futuristic cities of UAE, we have created memories that would last a lifetime. Travelling with family, especially with little ones, added magic to every moment.
This trip taught us that the best adventures are those that we share with our loved ones. Whether it is about watching turtles nest under starlit skies or seeing your children’s eyes light up at their first theme park visit, these moments become precious family stories to be shared for years to come.
Hi, This is Mukti Solia (Social Media Head-Flamingo Travels) I can say I am a lawyer turned travel curator. I completed my BBA in Finance and Marketing from HL college, Ahmedabad University. Later on, I moved to Mumbai to pursue Law. Currently, I work as Social Media Head at Flamingo group of companies as I believe that the Travel and tourism industry is no exception to digital transformation. Social media platforms give travel operators the chance to improve the customer experience.
