Under $100: Muscat, Oman

Oman is a growing destination in the Middle East for both business and pleasure. Muscat is the capital city set right on the Arabian Sea, an intoxicating mixture of old and new, traditional and luxurious.

Begin your day with breakfast at D’Arcy’s Kitchen, a British café that caters to Muscat’s extremely large British expat population. Try the pancakes for $5 — they’re served alongside banana fritters, cream and syrup. Great food aside, the restaurant is also an excellent location to begin your day thanks to its central location.

© Imrandr | Dreamstime

Visit Mutrah Souq, a traditional Arab marketplace where you’ll find plenty to look at among all of the people, shops and wares. From spices and sweets to gold and priceless antiques, you’ll find a little bit of everything among the chaos.

Grab lunch at Al Angham, an authentic Omani restaurant, from the architecture to the cuisine to the patterns on the silverware. While some offerings on the menu may not be very budget-conscious, you can easily walk away with a more affordable $20 lunch.

Muscat Gate © Typhoonski | Dreamstime

The Muscat Gate Museum details Oman’s and, more specifically, Muscat’s history, touching on Omani architecture, relics and the Falaj irrigation system. Admission is free.

For an atmospheric dinner, try The Beach Restaurant located on The Chedi Muscat’s private beach on the Gulf of Oman. The menu focuses on local seafood cuisine, and prices begin at $22 for entrees such as the lobster with rosemary whipped cream and the tuna tataki with spicy goat cheese spring rolls.