Full Description
This new, fully updated fifth edition of Bradt's Oman offers all the information needed to plan a visit to this rapidly developing Arabian nation, written by experts Tony Walsh, a veteran of Oman's travel industry, and Diana Darke, who originally worked for the Omani government in 1980 and has remained acquainted with the country ever since. All parts of the country are covered, including areas not featured by other guides, and Arabic script for town names is detailed to aid on-the-ground navigation and exploration.
New for this edition are coverage of the restored medieval walled town of Manah, with its labyrinth of passages and mud-brick houses, developments at the UNESCO site of Ubar at Ash Shisr, and in Muscat the fort at Mutrah, with its panoramic views over the Corniche. Also covered are the seasonal cloudforest in Dhofar in the south, the mountains of the north that leap from the plains to over 3,000 metres, the two major international airports in Muscat and Salalah, transport and road developments making access from Dubai quicker and improving the journey into the Wihibah Sands, and new hotels and restaurants, from luxury to simple. For outdoor enthusiasts, adventure tourism, extreme sports (including caving and the via ferrata climbing route) and catamaran sailing are all covered, as well as birdwatching.
Whether trekking little used mountain paths or visiting small villages wrapped around date oases, browsing the local market or enjoying the weekend camel and horse races, Bradt's Oman is an indispensable companion. From the famed Rub Al Khali, the world's largest sand desert, to the northern coastal town of Qurayyat, it offers everything you need for a successful trip.
Contents
Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography, Climate, Natural history, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture
Chapter 2 Practical Information
When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies and consulates, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, LGBTQ+ travellers, Travelling with children, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Shopping, Activities, Photography, Media and communications, Culture and etiquette,Travelling positively
PART TWO THE GUIDE
Chapter 3 Muscat
History, Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information, tours and tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Sports and activities, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Excursions beyond Muscat
Chapter 4 Al Batinah
Getting there and away, Exploring Al Batinah, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Activities, Barka, As Sawadi and around, As Suwayq to Sohar, Sohar, Al Batinah Plain, Liwa, Shinas and region, The Rustaq Loop
Chapter 5 Musandam
Getting there and away, Getting around, Tour operators, Activities, Bukha, Qida and Tawi, Khasab, From Khasab to Khawr An Najd and the mountains, Kumzar, Dibba, Lima, Madha
Chapter 6 Ad Dakhiliyah
Getting there and away, Tour operators, Whereto stay, Activities, Fanja, The Samail Gap, Birkat Al Mawz, Wadi Al Muaydin, Al Jabal Al Akhdar and Sayq Plateau, Nizwa, South of Nizwa, Tanuf, Al Hamra and around, Bahla, Salut
Chapter 7 The Adh Dhahirah and Al Buraymi
Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, Ibri, Bat, Al-Khutm and Al Ayn, Wadi Fida, Yanqul, Al Buraymi, From Al Buraymi
to Mahadah
Chapter 8 Ash Sharqiyyah
Getting there and away, Tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Activities, From Sinaw to Al Rawdhah, Ibra, the Wihibah Sands and region, Along the coastal route from Muscat to Sur, Sur, Ras Al Had and Ras Al Jinz
Chapter 9 Al Wusta
Getting there and away, The Nizwa-Salalah desert road, The Izki-Muhut road, The Muscat-Salalah Coastal Road
Chapter 10 Dhofar
Getting there and away, Getting around, Tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Activities, Salalah, East of Salalah, West of Salalah, North of Salalah
Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Glossary
Appendix 3 Further Information
Index
