Damaniyat Islands: Snorkeling, Turtles and Whale Sharks

Welcome to this very special destination edition of The Travel Diaries, where today we’re heading off on a sensory journey to one of the Middle East’s best-kept secrets, the spellbinding Sultanate of Oman. A land of striking contrasts, where golden deserts meet dramatic mountains and turquoise seas, and where a deep-rooted culture of warmth, hospitality and heritage leaves a lasting impression on all who visit.

And who better to take us by the hand and guide us through Oman’s many wonders than my guest today, Dina Macki. Dina is a rising star of the culinary world - you may know her from the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen - and she’s a chef and food writer whose work is a vibrant celebration of Omani cuisine and culture. British-born with Omani heritage, Dina divides her time between the UK and Oman, giving her a rare and intimate perspective on the country, not just through its flavours, but through its landscapes, its people, and its soul. She’s experienced Oman from coast to canyon, from ancient souks to sleek modern resorts, making her the perfect person to lead us through her Omani travel diaries.

In this episode, Dina whisks us from the misty, monsoon-swept hills of Salalah in the far south, where coconut palms line the shore and the air is thick with frankincense, to the rugged peaks of Jebel Akhdar, the Green Mountain, with its rose gardens, deep wadis and sky-high plateaus. Along the way, she shares her favourite hotels, from cliffside hideaways to city sanctuaries; her go-to local restaurants, hidden gems and insider tips that only someone who calls Oman home could reveal.

Whether you’re a foodie, an adventurer, a nature lover, or simply dreaming of a winter sun getaway or an off-the-beaten-track summer escape, Oman promises something unforgettable for everyone.

Destination Recap:

• Salalah
• Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, Salalah
• Alila Hinu Bay, Mirbat 
• Hawana Salalah 
• Mandarin Oriental Muscat 
• Jumeirah Muscat Bay, Muscat
• Nizwa
• Jebel Akhdar 
• Alila Jebel Akhdar
• Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Jebel Akhdar
• DusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar, in Oman
• Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa by IHG
• Daymaniyat Islands
• Al Mandoos Restaurant, Muscat 
• Rozna Restaurant, Muscat 
• Al-Ahli Restaurant, Old Muscat
• Ali Thani Restaurant, Old Muscat 
• The Chedi Hotel, Muscat 
• Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Muscat
• Wadi Mibam, Al Sharqiyah 
• Khasab, Musandam 
• Six Senses Zighy Bay, Musandam 
• Wahiba Desert Sands
• Bar al Hickman

To start planning your journey, head to experienceoman.om.

Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week’s episode come and follow me on Instagram I’m @hollyrubenstein, and you’ll also find me on TikTok - I’d love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there’s the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy.

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