"OMAN, PROBABLY THE BEST-RUN STATE IN THE ARAB WORLD, REMAINS ALMOST COMPLETELY INVISIBLE TO AUSTRALIAN EYES."
(Paul Sheehan, Sydney Morning Herald, 27/6/05)

Oman is a wonderfully friendly Arabian country easily accessed from nearby Gulf States like Dubai, Bahrain or Qatar. Centuries of proud history have produced a self-reliant but gentle people who have happily embraced the most modern infrastructure and international tourism while maintaining an often traditional lifestyle based on Islam and on centuries of seafaring and desert living.

Oman is a large country with thousands of kilometres of unspoiled coastline, large deserts, spectacular mountains, tropical vegetation in the south and at oases elsewhere and the dramatic fjords of Musandam.

Ancient forts and castles dot the countryside, there is an abundance of marine life in the coastal waters and there are wonderful ancient souks (markets) in all the towns selling jewellery, foods, animals, clothing, handicrafts and traditional products such as frankincense, daggers and perfume.

Muscat, the capital, where city gates were once locked between dusk and dawn, now has a modern airport, freeways, world class hotels, clean beaches and a great variety of local and international foods.

Outside the capital there are world heritage sites, wadis with fresh water springs, massive sand dunes, caves, sinkholes and nature reserves. There are opportunities for the more adventurous to dive, sail, trek, 4 wheel drive and climb.

Still unspoiled by mass tourism but with everything needed for a great holiday, Oman and her people provide the perfect destination both for those who think they’ve seen it all and those who know they haven’t!

Articles on Oman:
- Oman is Middle East's most peaceful country (eNT 4/6/07)
- Welcome to the Sultanate of Oman (etravelblackboard 25/1/07)

Click here to watch a video clip on Oman from Getaway (2008)

Please click on the link to find out up to date information on travelling to Oman