From the forts of Nizwa Fort to the turquoise pools of Wadi Bani Khalid and the breezy corniche of Muttrah Sea Road, Oman reveals itself not in a single moment but in layers — of land, culture and quiet grace.
For the Collodel sisters — Graziella, Nathalie and Cristina — a long-awaited reunion in the Sultanate of Oman became more than a family visit; it turned into a shared journey through a country that seemed to move at its own gentle rhythm.
Cristina Collodel, who has been living in Salalah for several years, had long planned the trip for her elder sisters. “I wanted them to see the Oman I have come to love — its landscapes, but also its people”, she says. Timing the visit during Ramadhan meant fewer crowds and a deeper immersion into everyday life.
They were warmly received by Cristina, whose kindness and generosity set the tone for their visit, as she, along with her colleague and Polish friend Marta, personally welcomed them at the airport and set out to begin their tour.
“It’s a beautiful city, full of everything, yet you can move around so easily”, recalls Nathalie, who lives in Italy’s Veneto northeastern region. “I loved the flowers, the calmness and above all, the people”.
Their journey unfolded across shifting terrains — bustling souqs, silent deserts, coastal villages and mountain roads. In Muttrah, they wandered through narrow alleys lined with spices, incense and textiles, while evenings brought unhurried moments along the waterfront.
Further inland, Nizwa left a lasting impression. “I will always carry Nizwa in my heart”, Nathalie says. “Its sand-coloured walls, the fort, the atmosphere — it felt like stepping into another time”. Staying in a traditional house in the old quarter only deepened that sense of immersion. “Those days felt like living inside a film”, she adds.
For Graziella, the journey’s emotional core lay in its human encounters. In a Bedouin home along the coast, the sisters were welcomed for iftar during Ramadhan. “We sat together on the floor, sharing food and stories”, she recalls. “It was simple, but unforgettable”.
That warmth extended beyond planned stops. Strangers offered guidance, invitations and quiet acts of kindness that surprised the visitors. “In Italy, at least where I live, such openness is rare”, Nathalie reflects. “Here, people help you without hesitation”.
Nature, too, played its part in shaping their experience. At Wadi Bani Khalid, the sisters swam in clear, blue pools carved into pale rock. “The water was perfect and there was no one around”, Nathalie says. “It felt untouched”.
As they travelled south towards Salalah, the landscape shifted once more — from rugged coastlines to wide, almost deserted beaches. “Salalah has a timeless quality”, says Graziella. “There’s an old-world charm, especially in its quieter corners, while the coastline offers a kind of peace you rarely find”.
Despite their varied experiences — city walks, mountain drives, village stays — the Collodel sisters found a common thread. Oman, they say, is defined not just by its scenery, but by a sense of balance: between past and present, solitude and connection, tradition and openness.
“I would relive every moment”, Nathalie says. “From the wadis to the cities, everything felt meaningful”.
For Cristina, the journey was a fulfilment of a long-held wish. “Seeing Oman through their eyes reminded me why I fell in love with this place”, she says.
Together, the sisters leave with a shared memory — of a land where beauty is not loud, but deeply felt.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
