THE UNEXPECTED OMAN - AL BALEED RESORT SALALAH CELEBRATES KHAREEF WITH STUNNING IMAGERY AND SPECIAL OFFERS -

Recently declared the 'Arab Summer Resorts Capital for 2019’ by the Arab Tourism Organisation, Salalah has officially entered khareef season. Every year from July through September, the Dhofar Province in Oman undergoes an amazing transformation known locally as “khareef.” A colloquial term meaning ‘autumn’ in Arabic, khareef refers to a fascinating weather pattern in which the area experiences a run-in with the Indian Ocean’s monsoon season. Regular drizzling and rain along with mist and fog change the landscape into something one would never expect to witness in the Middle East.

While neighbouring countries experience extreme heat, Southern Oman comes to life with thick green vegetation, cooler climes and waterfalls cascading from the mountains. This unusual and magnificent phenomenon has become famous throughout the Middle East and beyond so this year, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara has partnered with the Salalah Photographers Club to capture some of the most spectacular – and unexpected – sights of khareef including:

• Shaat – Cascading clouds and rolling green cliffs dotted with wildflowers in Shaat make one feel like they are in the Scottish Highlands. With vistas at an impressive height of 95 metres above sea level. Shaat has the most dramatic and beautiful cliffs in all of Oman.
• Ayn Athoum – Featuring a 15-metre limestone waterfall wrapped by a dense forest of trees, Ayn Athoum is a local favourite spot during the khareef season. Making the drive on the winding road amidst the beautiful greenery is half the fun.
• Al Mughsail Beach – Popular all year round, this beach partly surrounded by mountains is even more dramatic during khareef with enormous crashing waves and explosive 'blow holes' reaching 30 metres high.
• Wadi Darbat – This peaceful nature park with free-roaming camels and other wildlife is a great place for hiking to find waterfalls and hidden swimming holes. Visitors enjoy picturesque boat rides around the lake and picnicking along the shore.

In celebration of the season, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara has introduced its ‘Let it Rain Khareef Special’ offering 25 percent savings on private pool villas and spa treatments along with complimentary daily breakfast and dinner. In addition, starting 1 July the resort is bringing back its ‘Let it Rain’ Instagram photo competition to urge the spread of breath-taking imagery and unique khareef moments. Generating nearly 1,000 entries last year, the competition is expected to be even more popular with the grand prize of a two-night stay in a One Bedroom Garden View Pool Villa with breakfast for two.

The first and only five-star resort in Southern Oman with private pool villas, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara provides the perfect retreat after a day of outdoor adventure. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the resort sits on a long scenic beach and boasts three superb dining options, including the award-winning Mekong Asian specialty restaurant. Guests can unwind in between nature-filled excursions in the privacy of their pool villa or at the world-famous Anantara Spa featuring the region’s only luxury hammam. Daytime outings can be booked through the hotel and accompanied by a gourmet picnic prepared by the talented resort chefs, allowing guests the chance to dine in some of Salalah’s most spectacular spots.

For more information on visit https://www.anantara.com/al-baleed-salalah/ or visit @anantarasalalah on Instagram.

About Anantara:
Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travellers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travellers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 35 stunning hotel and properties located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Portugal, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Indian Ocean, Middle East, Africa and South America. The brand’s premier vacation ownership programme, Anantara Vacation Club, extends the opportunity to own a share in the Anantara experience with a portfolio of 8 luxurious Club Resorts as well as travel privileges at partner resorts and hotels worldwide.

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Anantara is a member of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands.

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