Oman

Situated at the mouth of the Arabian Gulf, Oman has, to date, been left relatively untouched by Western tourism. It is without doubt one of the most interesting and beautiful countries in the region, with some of the most spectacular landscapes imaginable and steeped in Bedu tradition unchanged by the sands of time.

The capital, Muscat, is the natural starting point for any visit to Oman. The city is an unusual blend of past and present, where old Muscat, the ancient port of Muttrah and Portuguese colonial buildings sit alongside iconic 21st century landmarks.

To the east lies the city of Sur, which still has shipyards, once famous throughout the ancient world, building traditional dhows. At Ras Al Jinz, the country’s easternmost point where the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea meet, the beach is a protected turtle-nesting site where green sea turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs.

Following the coastline to the far south, the city of Salalah lies in the ruggedly beautiful Dhofar region. Known as the ‘perfume capital of Arabia’ for its links to the ancient frankincense trade, the city also has the natural attractions of the Qara Mountains, dramatic coastal scenery and long deserted sandy beaches.

Behind the Gulf coastline lie the stunningly beautiful Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) and Jebel Shams, the highest mountain on the Arabian peninsula. Isolated settlements eke out an existence here on terraces craved from the hillsides.

At the foot of the mountains on the edge of the desert lie lush wadis, Bedu trading outposts, historic frontier fortresses and Nizwa, birthplace of Islam in Oman and one of the oldest cities in the Sultanate. It has a wealth of ancient landmarks, most prominent being its fortress which is surrounded by ancient traditional souqs.

The heart of the country is dominated by spectacular desert landscape. The vast dunes of the Wahiba Sands, which stretch from the eastern Hajar Mountains to the Arabian Sea, are a photographers dream with their magnificent colours and dramatic sunrises and sunsets. To the south, the Empty Quarter is one of the most forbidding environments on earth, with dunes taller than the Eiffel Tower and summer temperatures rising to 55° celsius. Both are a challenge to the adventurous traveller.

Last, but not least, in the far north west and separated from the rest of Oman by a part of the United Arab Emirates, the remote Musandam Peninsula is considered by many to be the most beautiful region in the country. With its spectacular mountain landscape, bottomless fjords of aquamarine water and simple unspoiled way of life, the region is becoming increasingly popular.