Calendar Of Annual Local Events in Oman - May to July

There's so much happening in Oman all year round. Plan ahead with our monthly events calendar. 

May

Masirah Turtle Festival Week 

Launched in 2010, the Environment Society of Oman has held a dedicated Masirah TurtleFestival Week each May. Conservation-focussed activities include marine research, turtle-themed football competitions and local beach clean-ups. Masirah is the largest nesting ground for Loggerhead turtles in the world.

June-July

Renaissance Day

Celebrating Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s ascension to the throne in 1970, 23 July is a public holiday in Oman.

Salalah Tourism Festival (formerly the Khareef Festival)

While the rest of the region is reeling under sweltering temperatures, Salalah revelsin cooling rains from the southwest monsoon winds, which leave the landscape verdant and cloaked in mist. This phenomenon of rain-bearing fog is known locally as khareef. The season begins in late June and ends in late September. The Salalah Tourism Festival – a veritable extravaganza – hosts a variety of cultural, sports, and entertainment activities at the purpose-built Baladiya Entertainment Centre. The facility comprises a main theatre, an open-air venue and a heritage village as well asextensive fairgrounds. Expect theatre performances, folkloric shows, concerts by prominent Arab and Gulf singers, a kite festival, children’s plays and an Omani poetry forum.

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Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

Top 16 Oman Travel Guides

The diversity of choice in Oman will make almost any length of holiday seem too short to take everything in.

The only way you’ll be able to accomplish that is if you plan properly. These guides will help you do that.

Did you know that if you look up the phrase “Oman Travel Guide” on Amazon, it will give you nearly 150 options to choose from? You can source additional information about the country through a range of useful Oman guidebooks.

We have compiled a list of the Top 16 Travel Guides on Oman that you can view below:

1- Berlitz: Oman Pocket Guide, Berlitz Travel (2011)

2- Insight Guide: Oman and The UAE by Gavin Thomas, Insight Guides (2012)

3- Maverick Guide to Oman by Peter J. Ochs, Pelican 
Publishing Co (2000)

4- Muscat Mini Map, Explorer Publishing (2012)

5- Off-Road in the Sultanate of Oman by Jenny Walker & Sam Owen, Motivate Publishing Ltd (2007)

6- Oman - Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture by Simone Nowell, Kuperard (2009)

7- Oman and the Arabian Gulf (Travellers Survival Kit) by Dan Boothby, Vacation – Work (2003)

8- Oman by Diana Darke, Bradt Travel Guides (2013)

9- Oman Off-Road, Explorer Publishing (2006)

10- Oman Residents & Visitors Guide, Explorer Publishing (2012)

11- Oman Trekking, Explorer Publishing (2006)

12- Oman, UAE and the Arabian Peninsula by Jenny Walker, Lonely Planet Publications (2010)

13- Snorkelling and Diving in Oman by Rod Salm and Robert Baldwin, Motivate Publishing (1992)

14- The Rough Guide to Oman: Intriguing souks, Dhow cruises, Mountain villages by Gavin Thomas, Rough Guides (2011)

15- UAE Rock Climbing by Toby Foord-Kelcey, Red Armada Publishing (2010)

16- Lonely Planet Oman, UAE & Arabian Peninsula (Travel Guide), by Lonely Planet, Jenny Walker, Stuart Butler and Anthony Ham (13 Sep 2013)


For information regarding climbing, abseiling, diving, horseback riding, surfing and all other manner of adventure sports in Oman, the magazine Outdoor UAE is an excellent resource.

Please, take a moment to leave your comments or thoughts below.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

Calendar Of Annual Local Events in Oman - March to April

There's so much happening in Oman all year round. Plan ahead with our monthly events calendar. 

March

Bird Watching

March is one of the best months for bird watching due to cooler temperatures andmigratory patterns. Visitors can see many species of birds in each of Oman’s different regions. The Al Ansab wetlands in Muscat, Al Hikam Peninsula, Masirah Island, Wusta Governorate beaches, the Lagoona, and the beaches and springs in Dhofar are ideal locationsfor bird watchers. Many exotic species also live on the Dimaniyat Islands and in Musandam. There are 516 species on the Oman Bird list.

Oman International Salsa & Zouk Festival

The fifth edition of Oman’s Salsa & Dance Festival will be held in 2015. Internationally acclaimed performers offer lessons in everything from hip-hop to samba, with barbeques and all-night salsa parties running alongside.

www.oiszf.com

April

Scuba Diving

Oman is now one of the most popular diving destinations in the Middle East. The most prominent diving areas around Muscat are: Bandar Khayran, Al Fahal Islands, Dimaniyat Islands, Al Makbara Bay (Old Muscat) and Al Jissah Beach. The best time to dive in Muscat and around is from April to July.

Please, take a moment to leave your comments or thoughts below.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

Calendar Of Annual Local Events in Oman - January to February

There's so much happening in Oman all year round. Plan ahead with our monthly events calendar. 

January-February

Extreme Sailing Series

Book a ringside seat for the ninth annual Extreme Sailing Series, kicking off againin 2015 at Muscat’s The Wave. Multihull sailing vessels race in challenging conditions daringly close to the spectators watching from the shores.

www.extremesailingseries.com/gallery 

Muscat Festival 2015 

Held in Muscat’s picturesque Qurum and Naseem parks, the Muscat Festival is unmissable January 15 to February 14, 2015 . The festival showcases Oman’s national heritage and attracts close to two million visitors every year. Expect juggling, parades, magic shows, exhibitions of regional arts and crafts, plus the annual Oman Food Festival and Muscat Art Festival. The festival begins at the end of January and runs through February.

www.muscat-festival.com

Tour of Oman

The Tour of Oman (February) takes place on a track designed by Eddy Merckx, UCI cyclist and sportsman, whose aim was to bring a version of Tour de France to Oman. This cycling race takes place over six stages and crosses 848km of breath-taking scenery.

http://www.tourofoman.om/photogallery

Mussanah Race Week

Overtwo hundred top sailors from 30 countries battle it out in the Gulf of Oman, near Muscat, at this high-octane international dinghy regatta, hosted by Oman Sail

www.mussanahraceweek.com

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Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

The Simplest Way to Make the Best of Dining

Omani Gastronomy

Local dining opportunities range from international fine dining to simple street food. True to the country’s marine heritage, seafood plays a prominent part throughout Omani cuisine. Muscat’s atmospheric Muttrah Fish Market is packed with piles of fresh crab, crayfish, tuna, sea-bass and red mullet.

To enjoy a genuine Omani feast, many hotels host traditional Arabian banquets, held alfresco during temperate winter evenings. Guests may sample Omani classics such as ruz al mudhroub, local cooked rice and fried fish, and mishkak, skewered meat grilled on charcoal. Omani coffee, or khawa, follows. It is served in small cups and is often flavoured with cardamom or orange zest and accompanied by Omani dates. 

The proximity of Oman to India, combined with the number of traders present in the country, means the local cuisine has also been injected with exotic Indian flavours, such as turmeric and saffron. 

Which local dining do your prefer in Oman? 

Please, take a moment to leave your comments or thoughts below.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

The Best Souks in Oman: A Cultural Experience

Souks and Souvenirs - One of the most beautiful attractions of Oman.

Oman is home to numerous souks. These traditional marketplaces have been an integral part of local life for centuries. Every place has its distinctive flavour and every city has a market that relates its stories, embraces its history and accompanies its evolution.

Both Khanjar daggers and frankincense are prized local souvenirs. Khanjars are handcrafted from pure silver and may cost up to £2,500, depending on age and intricacy. Each one requires the skills of at least three specialised artisans: one each for the dagger, the filigree case and the special leather belt that fastens around the waist.

Visitors to Muscat’s Gold Souk will be dazzled by the displays of jewellery, including many Arabian designs, in 18, 22 and 24-carat gold. Prices are based on the day’s gold rate, the weight of the item and a maker’s fee. Other unique souks include:

• Nizwa, this souk lies in the vicinity of the walls of the famous Nizwa Fort. Its building embraces both traditional and modern architectural lines. Through its many alleys and divisions, Nizwa Souk has remained for hundreds of years home to a number of local industries, such as daggers, copper, spinning, livestock sale, fish, vegetables and handicrafts. Famed for its silver as well as its Friday livestock market.

• Sohar Handicrafts, located in Al Hajra region near Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Wilayt Sohar in Al Batinah North Governorate. Craft shops sprawl over an area of 7,000 square metres and the souk houses under one roof various Omani traditional industries and handicrafts, such as leather, ceramics, palm leaves, cotton textiles, wool, gold, silver, as well as perfumes, herbs, natural medicines, honey, Omani sweets (Halwa) and traditional weapons.

• Al Husn in Salalah, renowned for its traditional Arabian perfumes and frankincense. Al Husn Souq is characterised by its location in the middle of Salalah’s old neighbourhoods in Dhofar Governorate. This souq retains a traditional style with its handicrafts, conventional in their design, shape and function, such as braziers and other traditional handicrafts. Al Husn Souq retains its ancient architectural personality, having preserved the original features of its surroundings, apparent in every corner.

What's your favourite Souk so far?  Have you ever been in any of these Souks? What are other Souks you'd like to visit in Oman?

Please, take a moment to leave your comments or thoughts below.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om

The Golf Courses Article of Your Dreams

www.ghalavalley.com

Which would be your favourite course to play golf in Oman?

Although relatively new to the Sultanate of Oman, Muscat now has three 18-hole golf courses within easy reach of each other, with more expected to be launch in the near future. For those wanting to learn the game, each course also has an Academy staffed by qualified golf instructors who will be happy to guide you through the early stages.

The climate makes golfing most popular in Oman between the months of September and May.

Par for the Course

Backed by the Hajar Mountains, the Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club was Oman’s first PGA 18-hole golf course. Natural wadis have been integrated as challenging features for play. 

www.muscathillsgolf.com

Ghala Valley Golf Club, built into a wadi, has been a popular spot to tee off since its inception in 1971. All of its 18 holes are now entirely grass. 

www.ghalavalley.com

At the Greg Norman-designed Almouj Golf, 18 holes skirt two kilometres of scenic beachfront. Floodlights allow games to continue after dark. Year-round sunshine makes all of these courses a pleasure to play in any season. 

www.almoujgolf.com

Where do you think golf will take you for your future? Please, take a moment to leave your comments or thoughts below.

Discover more about Oman: www.omantourism.gov.om