You don’t have to be a classical music lover to be blown away by the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman. Set within landscaped gardens beneath soaring arches, the gleaming white complex houses an auditorium, a concert theater, luxury restaurants and retail shops. Commissioned by the royal decree of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, a classical music fan, it embodies traditional Arabic motifs along with a ceiling of Burmese teak, Italian marble, lights from Austria and the world’s first installation of the Radio Marconi multimedia interactive seatback display system. Completed in 2011, the hall opened with a production of Turandot conducted by Plácido Domingo. Appearances by Andrea Bocelli, Renée Fleming, Yo Yo Ma, the London Philharmonic, American Ballet Theater and Wynton Marsalis followed.

With its website proclaiming this is “where the extraordinary happens,” recent performances have included an evening of popular and classic Arabic songs, the Cuban ballet performing Don Quixote and a program dedicated to Omani women. Tickets cost far less than at other world-class venues and can be purchased online. Daily tours for visitors commence at 8:30 a.m.

The 50 shops in the Opera Galleria feature goods from Patek Philippe and Lalique as well as local handicrafts. Among food outlets on the premises, you’ll find a Fauchon café and the Al Angham restaurant serving authentic cuisine in traditional décor.