The day begins at the Royal Opera House Muscat, the leading centre for music and the arts in Oman, built to bring the world's culture to the country.
Next comes the busy fish market in Barka, then drive inland to Nakhal Fort, once held by the imams of the Bani Kharous and the Ya'aruba dynasty. Restored and furnished with traditional furniture, crafts and old objects, it has finely carved ceilings, doors and windows, and the roof looks out over the whole valley. Below the fort, the old village leads to the warm springs of Ayn Al Thowarah at the end of the oasis, where you can sit by the shallow water among date palms under steep peaks. Spend some time there, then drive back to Muscat.
Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
