Oman is situated on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula and has a coastline that extends from the straits of Hormuz in the north to the borders of Yemen in the south. It overlooks 3 seas, The Arabian Gulf, The Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Due to its strategic position, Oman has had a rich, powerful and varied history.

First to take advantage of this were the Portuguese who occupied Muscat for 143 years between 1507 and 1650. Additionally they controlled Mombasa, Zanzibar and other coastal regions north of Mozambique.

Omani's started to push for control in the 1690's, eventually succeeding in 1979 when the Al Said dynasty came to power. They continue to rule to this day.

Zanzibar remained a very valuable property as the centre of the slave market during this time. So much so that by the mid 19th Century the then Imam of Muscat, Sai'id ibn Sultan built impressive palaces and gardens there. Rivalry between the Sultan's two sons lead the British to intervene, eventually resulting in one son inheriting Zanzibar and the other son inheriting Muscat and Oman.

Oman as we know it now was still a divided territory. The coastal regions including the capital Muscat and the interior (known as Oman) that include the Al Hajar mountains and Jebel Akhdar. The Treaty of Seeb signed in 1920 finally brought the country together.

Between 1932 and 1970 the country went through a period of isolation and internally worked a system that can be characterised as feudal. This remained the status quo until a bloodless coup saw Qaboos bin Said depose his father Sultan Said bin Taimur. Following the coup Sultan Qaboos opened up Oman and embarked on a series of reforms and a programme of modernisation. 1970 also saw slavery finally outlawed.

Today Oman is rich in oil with their economy still dependent on oil exports. Tourism is growing fast and it is hoped that it will become one of the largest industries in the country.

Oman offers the visitor a stunning contrast of deserts, mountains, beaches and all the comforts of a bustling modern metropolis.

There is a wide array of opportunities for exploration and discovery due to its diverse natural beauty and its colourful heritage. Musandam in the north offers majestic Fjords while the south offers sandy beaches, magnificent desert and rugged mountains and lush vegetation.

Below are a few ideas that might tempt you away from the beach for the day:

Explore the Dunes
Take a drive out of Muscat to Wadi Bani Khalid where you will see large pools of water and caves. From here travel on to the Wahiba Sands and enjoy time '4x4 bashing' across the dunes.

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
No trip to Oman would be complete without a visit to this amazing building.

Wakan Village
Take a drive to Barka to see the Fish Souq in full swing. From here travel on to the warm waters of the Thowara Spring. Finally, head to Wakan Village, one of the most spectacular mountain villages complete with breathtaking scenery.

Nizwa
About an 1 1/2 hours by car from Muscat is the ancient city of Nizwa. The city, surrounded by mountains and palm plantations is dominated by a Fort that was built in the 17th Century to defend the city's position as a major trade route.

Jabal Shams
Take a 4x4 trip to the Jabal Shams, the highest peak of the Hajar mountain range and part of the Oman's Grand Canyon.

Dhow Cruise in Musandam
Pick up your traditional Omani Dhow in Khasab and take to the clear blue waters of Musandam. See traditional fishing villages scattered along the shore and stop for a chance to snorkel and swim.

Historical Dhofar
Start your tour in Salalah and travel to the old fishing village of Taqah and visit Taqah Castle the formal official residence of the Wali (Governor). Continue to Sumharam the eastern most outpost on the ancient incense route. Mirbat, the ancient capital of Dhofar is your next stop and the beginning of the Frankincense trail. Your final stop is the natural spring of Ayan Razat.

Qara Mountains and the Tomb of the Prophet Job
Take the steep and windy roads up the Qara mountains, and visit the tomb of the Prophet Job located in the green mountains of the Salalah Plains. Head back to sea level and the beach of Mughsail where you can enjoy the waters at high tide burst through the natural titanic Blow Holes.

Muscat and the Musandam peninsula have similar temperatures throughout the year. Salalah in the south west of the country offers the traveller a different experience as it has a monsoon season (Khareef) through the summer months making the temperature cooler than the soaring summer temperatures experienced in the rest of the country.

January and February - temperatures are cooler during these months and you can expect the occasional rain shower.

March, April and May - temperatures are starting to rise up to the lower 30 degrees. But humidity levels remain low.

June - August - temperatures in Muscat and the Musandam peninsula are very hot and humid, regularly tipping over 35 degrees. In Salalah, with the khareef in full flow, the temperature is cooler, probably around 30 degrees, but the humidity levels remain high.

September - temperatures are still very hot in Muscat and the Musandam peninsula but remain cooler in Salalah.

October, November and December - temperatures start to fall in October, returning to around 30 degrees. December is probably the coolest month to be in Oman with the temperature in the low 20's and the nights even cooler.

Oman Air is the national carrier of Oman. London Heathrow operates daily flights to Muscat with a flight time of around 7 hrs.

The area of Musandam (Khasab) in the North of Oman is a short flight from Muscat (about 1 hr). But is also easily accessible by car from Dubai.

The flight from Muscat to Salalah takes about 1 1/2 hours. There are also direct flights from some of the other Gulf countries.

Entry Requirements
Visas are required for entry into Oman. With effect from 21 March 2018 it is no longer possible to obtain a visa on arrival. Instead, visitors to Oman will need to apply for a visa in advance of travel.

Visas can be obtained via the new E-Visa processing system https://evisa.rop.gov.om/home.

In addition, your passport must have at least 6 months validity from your date of entry into Oman.

Medication
Please note, some prescriptions and over the counter medication are banned substances in Oman. Please contact your doctor or health professional well before travel for further advice. Oman's Ministry of Health can also be a source of advice.

If travelling with any medication, please ensure you carry a copy of your prescription.

Currency
The currency in Oman is the Omani Rial (OMR). And there are 1,000 Baisas in each Omani Rial.

1 OMR is approximately £1.80.

Dress Code
It is recommended that travellers to Oman should cover their shoulders and knees at all times when outside the confines of the resort.
If you decide to visit a mosque, you will be required to cover up completely.

Language and Religion
Arabic is the official language in Oman. English is also widely spoken. You can expect to see signs in both Arabic and English especially in and around tourist sites.

Oman is an Islamic country with most following the Ibadi school of Isalm


Please note - it is against the law to share the same hotel room with someone of the opposite sex to whom you are not married or closely related. Homosexuality is also illegal in Oman.