Oman

Situated on the Arabian Peninsula, with a long coastline, it encompasses the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Further inland, visitors will find large expanses of arid desert and small pockets of lush green vegetation, offering a varied landscape. Its capital, Muscat, is a harbour city that hosts numerous impressive buildings, including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. It is medium-sized with a population of around 4.4 million.

It has a hot desert climate with little rain and lots of sun and is particularly hot in the summer (June-September), when average temperatures regularly reach 35 degrees and daily maximums can go as high as 40 degrees, perfect for anyone looking for a beach holiday. Spring and Autumn are also warm with temperatures averaging between 25 degrees and 35 degrees, making it an excellent all-year-round beach destination. It gets most of its rain during winter, which comes in the form of sudden and very heavy showers.

The country is the oldest independent state in the Middle East and shows evidence of human habitation dating back 100,000 years. This is borne out by the city of Al Wattih, which is at least 10,000 years old and was ruled at various times by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians, who all used it as a strategic trading post. Oman was one of the few countries to enter the Islamic World freely, joining early in the 7th-century revolution that shook most of the Arab world. It came to be dominated by the Nabhani Dynasty during this time who ruled from the middle of the 12th century until the late 15th. It was then semi-conquered by the Portuguese, who dominated the area around Muscat between 1507 and 1650, before the same region was conquered by the Ottomans, who ruled from 1581 to 1888. These considerable imperial powers were only interested in the strategic importance of Muscat’s harbour and thus did not bother to conquer the rest of the country. The country then came under the control of the Al Said dynasty, who drove the Persians back to Pakistan and still rule to this day. The country became a British protectorate in 1798 and remained under British rule until 1951, when it gained complete independence. Because of Portuguese rule in 1507, Oman’s architecture is now a diverse mix of colonial, traditional, and ultra-modern styles. One minute you could be strolling along the colonial streets of Muscat, and the next you could have the country’s tallest skyscrapers towering over you as you shop. It was the Portuguese who transformed Oman’s future, giving the country significant leverage in the spice trade. This profitable industry led to the country’s massive success in attracting European interest. Among the Portuguese colonial evidence, you will also find elements of British and Dutch influence from when Oman entered into a contract with the British and some Dutch investors to guarantee trading rights in Oman. This was not only an industrial move, but a political move to regain power from Portugal. By 1650, Imam Sultan Bin Saif had expelled the Portuguese from the capital city of Muscat. Oman’s culture is heavily influenced by religion, and the Omani people practice their own branch of Islam, known as Ibadism. Visitors are expected to adhere to the country’s strict rules and etiquette at all times; although strict, tourists will be met with a deep warmth and superb hospitality that will make an indelible mark on them.

Its prominent location on the old spice road means it has a plethora of flavours and influences, more varied than in many other Middle Eastern Countries. Rice and bread are the traditional staples of the Omani diet, with dishes such as madrouba, a soft rice dish infused with spices and chicken, especially popular. They also enjoy complex biryanis, whose intricate spicing gives them a unique and delicious flavour. Omani bread is also excellent, usually unleavened or flat, and can be eaten with hunks of grilled meat or fried with egg and cheese. Tea is the most popular drink in the country, and locals tend to drink spiced milk tea that all visitors should try during their stay.

An excellent place for families to visit, it is a very safe country and has a plethora of fantastic family activities that visitors are sure to enjoy. Foremost of these are the sapphire waters that surround it, where visitors swim or relax on the beach. Many boat trips will allow you to see the many incredible species that call the waters home, including whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Another excellent option for children is the chance to ride a camel, which can usually be found along the seafront in most major tourist destinations.

The waters around Oman are clean, and the weather is hot, making it ideal for a traditional beach holiday. Visitors can relax in the cool waters or go on a boat trip to see some of the amazing creatures that call them home. Within the cities themselves, there are plenty of great activities, and a visit to Muscat’s Muttrah Souk is a must, as is one to the vast Sultan Qaboos Mosque, which holds up to 40,000 worshipers and is one of the largest in the Arab World.

As a fairly strict Islamic country, the vast majority of the locals tend not to drink. This means alcohol is more likely to be found in hotel bars than in cafes or clubs. The best place to go is Muscat, which has more than double the licensed pubs, bars and restaurants of anywhere else. These tend to be divided into luxury bars at luxury hotels, English-style pubs in mid-range hotels, and live-music bars that host either Indian or Arabian stage shows. If you are seeking a more traditional Omani experience, then a coffee or tea on the seafront, accompanied by a shisha pipe, is what the locals tend to prefer.

The best place to have an authentic shopping experience in Oman is the Muttrah Souk, where thousands of small shops are concentrated in one place, selling Omani jewellery, wooden handicrafts, gold, frankincense, pottery, Arabian perfumes, silver and much, much more. There are also various modern shopping malls, especially in the capital, Muscat, and in other Souks situated in the Corniches of other cities.