Luisa Picard
Travel Designer
The diversity of Oman fascinated me from the very first minute. I know the country and our camps from personal experience and was able to experience unforgettable moments there myself, from desert evenings by the campfire to sunrises among the dunes. I want to share these personal impressions and accompany you on your trip to Oman with genuine enthusiasm and many personal experiences.
You stand in the middle of this endless expanse, hear nothing but silence – and suddenly, everything within you becomes very calm too. For me, this is Canvas Club.
On my bucket list
Salalah during monsoon season
At the top of my list is Salalah during the monsoon season, the Khareef. When the rain transforms the south into a green paradise with waterfalls and oases, you feel more like you are in the tropics than in the Middle East. I have this image in my head of standing by a small oasis and watching camels leisurely wandering through the water. And this is exactly what makes Salalah so special, as you encounter camels everywhere there – by the sea, on the road, and in the midst of everyday life.
Discover SalalahMy next trip
Desert expedition
Next, I am going back to Oman, this time for the desert expedition. I am looking forward to the thrill, the endless sandy landscapes, and this special feeling of freedom. And of course, I look forward to Abdullah, the possibly friendliest and funniest guide in Oman, who makes every journey even more special with his knowledge and demeanor.
To the Oman expeditionAbout Luisa – How Oman won my heart
On my first trip to Oman, I honestly had hardly any expectations, maybe that was exactly the reason why the country surprised me so much. This incredible diversity in such a small space captivated me immediately. One day you are standing in the endless desert in the morning, swimming in a green wadi at noon, and in the evening looking over the deep gorges from Jabal Akhdar.
Two experiences particularly stick in my mind. The night in the desert was simply magical. In the middle of nowhere, food is cooked over the fire. Afterwards, you sit under the starry sky and see so many shooting stars that you hardly want to go to sleep. A shower under the open sky and yoga at sunrise between the dunes felt almost unreal.
And then there's Wadi Hawer. Suddenly standing in front of this emerald green water after the dry desert, swimming through the pools, climbing over rocks, and eventually jumping off the cliffs into the water was an experience I will never forget. Something I never thought I would do, and to this day, it remains one of my favorite memories of Oman.
Places that particularly inspire me
Wahiba Desert
The nights in the Wahiba Desert are always something very special. Already the journey to the camp is an experience: The sun is a bit lower, and you ride camels through the sea of dunes until the camp appears before you. Then begins what makes this place so special: dinner by the fire, the sky full of shooting stars, the shower under the open sky, and the sunrise with yoga between the dunes. It is this combination of the wilderness of the desert, true luxury, and people who make every moment special with so much warmth. For me, it doesn't feel like just an overnight stay but rather a little return to oneself.
Wadi Hawer
Wadi Hawer is the perfect contrast to the desert. After the dry sand, you suddenly stand in front of these emerald green pools and don’t know where to look first. You swim through the pools, climb over the rocks, and enjoy this incredible scenery. Cliff jumping and sliding down the waterfall were a real adventure for me, especially because I never thought I would dare to do that.
Jabal Akhdar
Jabal Akhdar feels like a completely different world again. Up here, it is cooler, the atmosphere is completely different, and you feel like you have arrived at a whole new place. This is exactly what makes the region so special: You can enjoy the peace and the impressive view or dive into adventure with the Via Ferrata. This mix of relaxation and action is rarely found.
Nizwa
Nizwa is for me exactly that Arabic world you imagine from 1001 Nights. I love strolling through the alleys of the souk, discovering handmade ceramics and spices, or enjoying the sunset on a rooftop terrace with a Karak Chai. The evenings during Ramadan stayed particularly in my memory. While breaking fast together with my guide, I experienced this special hospitality. Everyone was so open, warm-hearted, and immediately included me. It is these moments that make Nizwa so special for me.
See where I've traveled
Canvas Club Camp
The nights in the Canvas Club are among the moments I hold deeply in my heart. This special tranquility, the vastness of the desert, and the feeling of finally arriving at oneself for a moment make this place so unique for me. A little time out from everything – a place where one can simply be.
Alila Jabal Akhdar
At Alila Jabal Akhdar, I love this mix of tranquility and adventure. When the sun sets behind the mountains, the peaks can only be seen as silhouettes, and later the clear starry sky is above you, it is simply a special moment. And then the Via Ferrata with adrenaline, height, and this incredible view over the mountains.
Wadi Hawer
Wadi Hawer is the place where I grew beyond myself: cliff jumping, waterfall sliding, things I never thought I had the courage to do. And all of this in front of this backdrop of green pools in the middle of dry rocks – hard to believe until you stand in it yourself.