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We live in a busy world. Rarely get time to relax. In such a scenario the whole point of going abroad for a vacation is leisure. A drastic change in scenery, people and ecology is just what the doctor ordered, and what place fits the bill to the T other than the Sultanate. Leisure travel to Oman is becoming increasingly popular with avid travelers from the West. Getting here is easy, thanks to multiple flights from almost all major cities of the world, traveling within the country is hassle-free by internal flights or rental cars, accommodation is top class no matter what the destination, the country offers all modern-day amenities and the people are well-known for their rich culture and hospitality.
If leisure is a priority, Oman is the place to be. It offers spectacular landscapes coupled with world-class luxury, in addition to cultural heritage sites, amazing architecture, fun activities for the whole family to partake in, scenic architecture, and much more. The main component of a leisure holiday is luxurious accommodation. Thus, the first step right after your have booked your first class air travel seats should be to consider your 5 star and spa options. Most 5 star hotels in the country have their private spas within the vicinity, but if spa treatments are a must for you to enjoy your holiday experience, check online for hotels that have reputable spas or offer treatments that interest you. Official hotel websites are ideal for this kind of research, as they provide comprehensive details about their in-house spas including treatment menus and charges. If 5 star hotels seem out of your budget, try 4 star resorts or hotels in the city. There are plenty to choose from.
To truly relax in a foreign country, one cannot hope to rely on public transport. Keeping up with bus schedules or waiting around for taxis can be stressful and put a dent in your enjoyment. Hence, it may be advisable to rent a car. You can ask your hotel travel desk or travel agency to make the arrangements for you or simply get in touch with an international car rental company and make the booking. A majority of companies offer chauffeur driven vehicles as well, obviously for an extra charge. But the deal is well worth it. After all, wouldn’t you rather enjoy the scenery than worry about directions, traffic and maps?
Leisure travel in Oman is all about activities and places. A good hotel situated in a scenic location, spa treatments and a luxurious sedan or SUV to take you wherever you wish to go is a major chunk of it, but there is more. No holiday to this country is complete without a trip to the traditional market called Souk and a boat ride aboard a traditional Dhow.
If you are planning to travel to Oman in the near future, read on for details and tips to help you enjoy your trip even more. The first thing you will need to do is make a checklist. This should ideally include things like checking your passport for validity and getting a visa to visit Oman if required. For your visit to the Sultanate the passport needs to be valid for at least six months from the date of travel. For many nationals, Oman offers visa on arrival, so it may be wise to ask your travel agency for details or research the matter online. Another thing to remember while visiting a country like Oman is to carry your international driving license. You will be glad to do so, as driving and off-roading is simply a pleasure here.
Your personal checklist should also consist of things such as vaccines, travel insurance and health insurance. The most recommended vaccines for the Middle East are Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus. Next, you should make the required bookings for accommodation, travel, rental car, activities, etc. You can do these through a travel agency or through online portals easily. Of course, it is always better if your have friends and family who have already paid a visit to Oman, to guide you better. Some of the things you will need to know about the country are its language (Arabic), population (2.8 million), the time zone (GMT +4), its currency (Rial Omani – OMR), and the dialing country code (+968).
The best time to plan a vacation to this scenic land is between the months of November and March, when the weather is much cooler. While there are no railways in Oman, public transport is comfortable and efficient. To travel from one part of the country to another, it is best to opt for a rented car for take local flights. Major ports and harbours of the country are Al Wajajah, Matrah, Mina al Fahal, Sohar, Duqm, and Mina Raysut, and a must-see. If you are starting your journey of the mystique land from its Capital city of Muscat, some of places you should visit are the Bandar Khayran Reserve, the Hawiyat Najm Park, Mutrah souq, mutrah cornice, and the old city. You could also book yourself on a Muscat city tour. These are organized by most leading travel agencies of Oman. The tour takes up only about 4 hours and showcases the best this world-class city has to offer.
No travel to Oman is truly complete unless you visit Muscat, so make sure you tell your travel agency to start you off from there. Other places to see in the country include World Heritage Sites, textured mountains, caves, villages, fjords, forts, museums, dessert, etc.
With strategic expansion of its network in Europe and Asia, the country’s international passenger carrier Oman Air is luring tourists to embark on a once in a lifetime holiday to this exotic land. Leisure travel in Oman has grown leaps and bounds in the last decade or so. Starting with being one of the most preferred travel destinations for Middle Eastern leisure travelers, it is now making its way to the list of best holiday destinations in the world. The country is huge in terms of area and diverse in landscape and beauty. From beaches, deserts, traditional architecture, cultural heritage and beautiful marine life, to busy souqs, modern five star hotels, and world class spas, the Sultanate boasts of the best of both worlds.
The country is an ideal destination for adventurers, leisure travelers, sightseeing enthusiasts as well as visitors interested in exploring Omani culture and heritage. In view of the fact that no matter what the purpose of your travel to this magnificent land, leisure is surely a part of the bargain, the country has something unique to offer to each traveler, and is committed to constantly improve their travel and tourism sector. You may get a first hand account of this when you get in touch with one of the many travel agencies of the country. These professionals are experts in designing private and group tours to most parts of the country. All you have to do is tell them your requirements for comfort, stay, budget, etc., the places you are keen on visiting and the number of days you wish to spend in Oman, and leave the rest to them.
You could also let them know of activities you would like to undertake while here. Some of the favourite activities for tourists are playing golf, embarking on an evening Dhow cruise on the serene waters, spending a day or two in taking advantage of the many spas located around the country that specialize in relaxing and distressing the body through an array of treatments, discovering the exotic marine life, going whale / turtle / dolphin watching, bird watching, visiting world famous caves and the one of a kind textured mountains, enjoying the many in-house restaurants at your hotel, swimming in secluded water haven, enjoying a stroll through the busy souqs, relishing the unique architectural marvels all around Oman, sailing on the blue waters, scuba diving and snorkeling, water-skiing, watching traditional horse racing or camel racing, visiting a traditional village and discovering Omani hospitality at its best, going on a desert safari or over night camp in the desert, bicycling, trekking, rock climbing, and so on.
If you are looking for a destination for leisure travel in Oman is the place for you. Put it down on your priority list today and start looking for the best deals and tours available.
There is no doubt that the Sultanate is immensely beautiful, and nor is there any question of whether it should be on your must-see list of world travels; how and when, is the question. While the best months to visit Oman are from September through April , you can consider exploring the countries others seasons as well, provided you are traveling in an air conditioned car or coach, as the temperatures here can rise up to quite a number during summers. This is the reason car rental services in Oman are very popular with the visitors and tourists. Of course, having a rental car ranks much above traveling around the country by public transport, any time of the year.
Oman is one of the top holiday destinations for the Middle East, and increasingly for the rest of the world now. Hence, car rental services sector of the country is booming. This also translates into better service, reputed car rental companies, and a wide choice in cars that come at a reasonable price. There are many ways to book the car that you want to drive or be driven in. One of the more popular ways is to ask your travel agency to book a vehicle for you, for the period of your stay. Travel agencies are ideally associated with a car rental service for their requirements. Not only can you get the car of your choice in this way, but also hire it for much less than what you would be paying if you book it yourself. Another is to do it yourself before you even step foot into the country. You can simply go online, find a reputed car rental company and book the car of your choice using your credit card, in a matter of just a few minutes.
As mentioned earlier, there are many good car rental companies available that offer a number of different cars from hatchbacks, sedans, to SUVs and even mini buses. The trick to truly enjoy your holiday in Oman is to choose a car that balances luxury with the adventures you desire to undertake. This means, select a car that compliments your itinerary as well as the kind of luxury you have in mind. For example, if your want to explore the desert or mountain terrains of Oman, it is best to hire a 4x4 SUV rather than a luxury sedan. On the other hand if you are here on a brief business trip, it is best to hire a luxury sedan or hatchback that is convenient and comfortable.
It is said that a planned holiday works out much better than one that is not. And with so many car rentals services in Oman, abundance of luxury hotels, and good travel agencies to help you out, planning your trip here can be a fairly easy task.
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