MUSCAT : Pause, rewind, reset: the much-awaited 9-day Eid break is here. Make time to press the pause button on your everyday hectic schedules, contemplate on the half-year that has gone by and rejuvenate for the next six months.

And, amidst all that, give in to the fun quotient that the holidays usher; spend time with friends/family and satiate the foodie in you. 

So, are you ready to take up our nine-day itinerary?

We have a checklist of tried-and-tested things to do and places to visit to help you breeze through these holidays – of course, with some rest, relaxation and recreation. 

Day 1: Go on, indulge your sleep. It is just the first day and you need all the rest to unwind from the week-long work you scraped through, and gear up for the next few days of bliss. Check out the restaurants and food outlets around you for a lazy brunch or get your favourite breakfast delivered to you through the app. Brunch does sound fun with several hotels in Muscat offering entertainment to go along.

Add some shopping also to the day to make it a complete package. If your Eid shopping is incomplete, venture out to malls or visit local souqs to experience the busyness of festive shoppers.  

Remember, the idea is not to pack all the days with activities; you need some snooze time, a lot of festive celebrations, a large dose of fun and some alone time too.

 Day 2: How about a trip to the mountains? With temperatures several degrees lesser than that in Muscat and surrounding areas, your best bet to chill out would be a trip to the Jabal Shams or Jabal Akhdhar. While day trip is possible if you get an early start, a more relaxing overnight one would be ideal to enjoy the weather and the scenic splendors of the majestic mountains. There are affordable and quaint rest houses and even camps at the destination to cater to holidaymakers. You could even find your own camping spot for an outdoor adventure. 

Day 3: With Eid just a day away, all eyes would be focused on decorating the house and prepping up for the festive meal. Non-Muslims too could find several avenues to experience the essence of the feast and the accompanying traditions. Even a drive around the city and its inner roads can fill you with the festive notes that are floating in the air. Hotels and restaurants in the capital will have their share of festive spread to add to the mood. As for home décor, there are a whole lot of DIY guides online to transform your house into a celebratory one, all ready for the Eid.

Day 4: June 17 marks the first day of Eid; the festive mood is bound to be palpable in the air, with Eid Mubarak greetings flooding your mobiles and your homes. Indulge in the celebrations; partake in the festive food with family and friends. Dedicate this divine day to strengthen your bonds with all those who matter to you. Invite your family/friends for a meal or even tea to share the joys that this beautiful day ushers in. 

Enjoy the magic of Eid!

Day 5: How about a city tour? As the weather is not conducive for a visit to the beach or a stroll along the Mutrah Corniche, you could soak in the vibrant ambience of the Mutrah Souq and enjoy some traditional shopping. Take a drive along the highways and bylanes of the city to savor the holiday mood that is rife everywhere. But come evening, you could brave the reduced humidity and heat levels at one of the beaches in town to watch the setting sun and join in the general camaraderie that sets the pace of holidays. 

Day 6: Staycation! Does the idea sound exciting? Give one of the hotels in the city a try; make a booking for a day to simply relax and get pampered. With several options to cater to folks from different strata of society, you could easily find a budget-friendly one or a 5-star facility – or anyone in between. Alternately, host a sleepover at your house for friends, with movies and games to make it an exciting venture for all.

Day 7: With the Khareef season set to start from June 20, Dhofar is one destination you might want to add to your holiday itinerary. However, it is best to initiate plans earlier, more so if you intend to drive down. Even flying would require advance planning with demand for tickets expected to rise during the upcoming monsoon season. Once there, you will be spoilt for choice with its abundant scenic locales, archaeological sites and pristine beaches. 

But if Dhofar is not on your agenda and your outdoors thirst is not quenched, opt for a desert trip. Although the temperatures are not very welcoming, Sharqiya Sands (Wahiba Sands) could well prove to be another alternative with several holiday resorts and luxurious camps lined up to make the stay pleasant.

Day 8: Summers and picnics may not go together in this part of the world, but there are a few spots in and around the capital that have their share of shade. If not, pack a picnic lunch/brunch or evening snack and head to one of the parks in your neighbourhood. Let the laidback setting fill you with calmness and a renewed sense of wonder. 

Day 9: This is a do-nothing-day. Just laze around and let the pleasantness of the week gone by fill you with renewed energy.  

Eid Mubarak and happy holidays!