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There is no doubt about the fact that this ancient Sultanate is amazingly beautiful. Tourism in Oman is picking up pace and world travelers from across the globe are excited about exploring this mystique land in the heart of Arabia. With the country’s government actively promoting its many sight treasures, the place is witnessing a marked boom in this sector. For those of you intrigued by Oman or planning a holiday to this leisure haven, read on for more details.
The country can be located between latitudes 16 and 28 degrees North, and longitudes 52 degrees and 60 degrees East. Being a widespread gravel desert plain with a vast coastline, Oman also encompasses several Wadis, mountain ranges and modern day cities. The main cities that you might want to list down and visit are the Capital city of Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Sur. Many visitors that plan a short trip to Oman prefer only visiting Muscat, Sur and Sohar, as these regions lie in the north of the country, while Salalah is in the south. Other places worth visiting are Bahla having a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Matrah, Nizwa, Wahiba Sands, and Musandam Peninsula.
Oman has a lot to offer in terms of things to see and do. Some of the attractions not to be missed are Qurum beach in Muscat, Seeb Beach, kite surfing, diving, wildlife watching, trekking, whale watching, desert safari, overnight camping in the desert, dune bashing, caving, shopping at the Souqs, rock climbing, horse and camel racing, visiting forts and the four World Heritage Sites in the Sultanate. These are the Bahla Fort, the ancient settlements and tombs in Bat at Al-Khatm and Al-Ain, the Luban route in Dofar, and the five Falajs. You could even plan your trip in such a way that you can catch one of the many festivals organized in the country such as the Muscat Festival held some time in January or February, or the Salalah Festival held in the months of July and August.
Accommodation and food options can be found in plenty no matter where you plan to go in Oman, but it may be wise to get in touch with a reputable travel agency of the country and figure out the minutiae of your visit. Many tourists these days prefer hiring a chauffeur driven car to enjoy their vacation at their own pace and in comfort. Your travel agency can also help you find a good deal in this regard, in addition to preparing specifically designed itineraries, making hotel bookings, air travel tickets, etc. Tourism in Oman is fast developing, and you can rest assured to find a well-planned holiday that fits your budget as well as your desires for comfort and luxury.
Capturing the essence of a beautiful country like the Sultanate of Oman in just a day is impossible, you need a good 10 to 15 days to see the magic and splendour it has to offer. For the thousands of visitors that come to Muscat for business, this is difficult. At the most they have a couple of days in the country and have meetings lined up every day of the stay. If you find yourself in such a situation and can’t seem to take time out of your busy business schedule but still do not want to miss out on the glimpses of Omani heritage and culture, a good option would be to book yourself one of the famous Oman Muscat tours. These are city tours that last four to six hours and showcase the best that the capital has to offer. You can book such a tour through your hotel or travel agency in a matter of minutes. All you need to do is pick a day and you are all set.
This tour covers most must-see places in and around the main city. A majority of city tours include a pick up and drop to your hotel, so rest assured that you won’t get lost or have to travel unaccompanied. Such tours are ideal for your family members that otherwise have to get bored in the hotel, while you are out on meetings or other business. It is a fun and interesting way to spend half a day driving through the amazingly scenic city of Muscat, visiting some of the main landmarks of the city, strolling along the ancient gullies of traditional markets, experiencing the unusual smells and hospitality of the locals, and learning about the historical and cultural aspects of the country. The guides that conduct these tours are professionals that hold expert knowledge about the city and country, making the tour more enjoyable and informative.
Oman Muscat tours are conducted privately too. If you want a private tour for your family or group, you can contact a reputable travel agency of the city and ask for details. In the common tours travel is conducted through luxury air-conditioned coaches or mini buses, while private tours can be undertaken in cars. All you have to be careful about is the dress code, as many religious places do not permit shorts, skirts, or short sleeves and sleeveless tops. Visitors should be dressed in clothes that cover all body parts including hands, and legs. Women have to cover their heads with a scarf or the like. The city tour usually covers the Grand Mosque, Bait Al Zubair Museum, Fish market, Mattrah Souq, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’s Al Alam Palace, and the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali.
A majority of reputable travel agencies of the country offer Muscat Oman tours, and for good reason. Muscat is the Capital of the Sultanate and proves to be the ideal starting point for any exploration of Oman. The city truly showcases the best this huge country has to offer for any travel aficionado. Being the commercial centre, it has quite a good inflow of business visitors throughout the year; but now that the country is promoting tourism and has taken special steps to welcome the world to its doors, it also receives a large population of tourists on holiday and leisure vacations from all around the world. Home to the first super-mall in Oman, the Muscat City Centre, a number of excellent five star hotels and specialty spas, major multi-cuisine restaurants, traditional souqs and retail shopping options, the beaches, forts, mosques, intriguing architectural marvels, the Sultan’s palace, museums and loads of other sightseeing alternatives, Muscat is considered a must-see for any visitor.
The typical city tour conducted by many travel agencies of the country includes visiting the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Bait Al Zubair Museum, Muttrah Souq, the fish market at the Corniche, Mirani & Jalali forts, and His Majesty Sultan Qaboos’ Al Alam Palace. And while going on such a city tour is recommended, the true beauty of the city can only be soaked in by taking your own time to explore its many treasures. Some of the other places to see while in the city are the Ruwi Mosque, the Zawawi Mosque, and some museums such as Museum of Omani Heritage, National Museum of Oman, Oman Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre and Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum.
You could take a long walk in the Corniche area of Muscat. The vicinity houses a number of popular eating joints that can give you the taste of genuine Omani cuisine. It may be worth your while to even visit Qurum National Park, which guarantees fun for the family with its manmade waterfalls and amusement park. Muscat also offers plenty of activities for adventure enthusiasts. For those of you interested in activities such as rock climbing, trekking, golfing, night safari, camping, horseback riding, dolphin watching, turtle watching, bird watching, camel racing, horse racing, cycling, dhow cruising, etc., the city will live up to your expectations. On the other hand, it is also a favoured destination for tourists that merely want to relax in the lap of luxury and a scenic view. With strategically located spa hotels and picturesque views at every corner, Muscat is a dream come true.
Muscat Oman tours are a great way to start your introduction with the Capital, but it is advisable to do a little traveling around by yourself to get acquainted with Omani hospitality and people. This is what will give your holiday the success and wholeness it deserves.
Oman is a wide spread Sultanate. Until the past few years this country was a favourite holiday destination only for travelers from the Middle Eastern countries, but today this scenario has changed completely. These days Oman has opened its doors to the whole world and welcomes thousands of tourists every month. This Middle East’s best kept secret can no more boast of being so, as it has been marked as a priority destination on every world traveler’s map of places to see. The country has also taken special steps to develop infrastructure and the growing travel and tourism industry here. All this has made visiting and traveling in Oman easy and fun for all who want to relish its beauty and soak in its majesty.
No matter what country you belong to, you can always find a direct or conveniently connecting flight to Oman. The international airport of the country is located in its Capital city, Muscat and most tourists enter the Sultanate through here. There are many cruise lines that halt at the Oman shores too, in case you are considering that option. A quick way to see your choices is to do a little research online or get hold of a reliable travel agency in Oman. A majority of reputable travel agencies of the country hold expertise in designing tailor-made packages and suggesting tours that can fit your desires as well as budget perfectly. You can also book your accommodation, rental car, air tickets and the like through such an agency to be assured that there are no grim surprises, which might spoil the excitement of your trip.
Most visitors prefer hiring a chauffeur driven car while on holiday in Oman. This is ideal for many reasons. It gives the travelers a sense of security while in a foreign country, as the driver knows the routes and driving rules and regulations. It saves the traveler from hassles of reading maps or asking for directions, especially if no common languages are spoken. There is no doubt that rental cars are the most comfortable way of getting around, in view of the fact that one can choose the car they want and even get extra features like airbags and GPS for safety. Another plus is the flexibility it provides to design an itinerary of the traveler’s choice.
With plenty of travel agencies to serve you well, all you need to do is find one and let them know of your requirements. Ask for a chauffeur driven rental car to take care of traveling in Oman, ask for spa hotels for a luxurious accommodation and pick the best tours to see all that the country has to offer. Remember that you will need more than a week to truly see the treasures of Oman, so plan accordingly.
The world is getting smaller everyday, thanks to awesome modes of communication and cheap and efficient travel options. Exquisite countries like Oman in the Middle East used to seem a world away, but today they are reachable by just hopping on a plane destined for one of the many airports in the country. But while traveling to any part of the world has been pretty simplified lately, traveling in Oman has to be planned ahead of time. This may not seem that important to the shoestring traveler, but to the average adventurer or family vacationer this is the most vital part of enjoying a hassle free holiday experience.
Traveling in and around any foreign country can seem like a bit of a challenge for even the most avid traveler, but the Internet has made things a lot easier. There are plenty of travel agencies with comprehensive websites that can not only help you plan your travel from the time you land until you board your plane back to your home country, but also assist you into choosing what places to go, sights to see and things to do while on your visit. While you can comfortably commute in Oman by using the public transport, the best way to explore this magnificent land is by car. There are three ways to go about this. You could either book your preferred vehicle online before you land in Oman, let your travel agency know of your car rental needs and have them take care of it, or give your travel agency the list of destinations you are interested in going to and let them arrange for a chauffeured car for those days.
Most well reputed travel agencies have tours to different parts of the country according to the regions like Northern Oman with Muscat, Bahla, Buraimi, Hajar Mountains, Musandam Peninsula, Muttrah, and Sohar, Central Coastal Oman with Sur, Masirah Island, Ibra, and the Wahiba Sands, etc. Another way of exploring Oman is by visiting prominent cities and the close sightseeing places like Muscat, Bahla, Ibra, Buraimi, Muttrah, Nizwa, Salalah, Sohar, and Sur. Some like activity specific tours, such as desert safari, water sports activities, tours to the World Heritage Sights, etc. You can choose the tours that interest you. You can also ask your travel agency for tailor made tours that include your places of interest.
Traveling in Oman is best entrusted to professional travel agencies. All you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the lovely natural beauty and amazing hospitality offered in this jewel of Arabia. So, plan your next holiday to this side of the world today!
The Sultanate of Oman is not capturing the tourism market in the Middle East for its scenic beaches, textured mountains, serene deserts and amazing landscapes alone. The government of Oman has taken special care to promote this destination throughout the world, and since the strategies are working to get thousands of tourists into the country every year, the travel and tourism industry here has equipped itself with serving the clients’ every need. Tailor-made holidays are designed by travel companies everyday to fit the needs of every traveler. From Oman-Muscat Tours, wildlife excursions, adventure tours, to desert safaris, dhow cruises, etc, specific tours are designed to fit every requirement.
 Muscat can be seen in a mere day, but to truly soak in the tropical sea, the buzzing sounds of the local markets, to really enjoy this capital city of the Sultanate, a weekend is perfect. Well stocked with every modern amenity, you will never feel that it is lacking any comfort needed. Being at par with international standards as far as infrastructure goes, Muscat still holds on dearly to its architectural and cultural heritage. Things one must see in the city include the stunning embassy quarter of Muscat and some other architecture that may please your eyes while driving through Muttrah and other parts of the city streets. Don’t miss the famous Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which is something of a religious landmark and boasts of ancient Islamic architecture. From Portuguese forts Jalali, Mirani and Qasr Al Alam, to the striking Palace of HM Sultan Qaboos, the best way to see Old Town of Muscat is to walk while admiring the local houses around. Visit the Bait Al Zubair Museum to glimpse into the culture and wildlife of Oman. Another must is to take a dhow ride on the coastline and spot some Common and Spinner Dolphins. Lastly, take your time to choose from antiques, perfumes, souvenirs, etc. at the local Souk.
After booking your Oman Muscat tour, pair it with a stay at one of the beautiful boutique hotels here like the Intercontinental Al Bustan Palace Muscat, The Chedi Muscat, Al Husn at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, or 5-star accommodation like at the Grand Hyatt Muscat Hotel, Ramada Muscat Hotel, Coral Hotel could be ideal to relax and unwind in the lap of luxury. Note that there is a dress code required for entry into religious monuments and some museums. Neckline, hair, ankles and hands should be covered for women. Men should wear full pants and full sleeved shirts.
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