Oman Tourism UK: Tourism

Showing posts with label Tourism. Show all posts

Thursday 23 April 2015

Kate Humble's Experiences in Oman

With pristine beaches, magnificent deserts, rugged mountains and a history that spans over 5,000 years, the Sultanate of Oman will refresh, engage and inspire you. Watch and listen to Kate Humble's experiences in Oman.

Kate Humble's experiences in Oman - Podcast

Kate Humble's experiences in Oman - TV

Each of Oman's geographical regions has something unique to offer. Would you consider Oman as your next holiday destination? Not sure where to start? Here are some suggestions to help you plan the perfect itinerary

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below!

Beauty has an address ~ Oman

Thursday 16 April 2015

What No One Tells You About Musandam

An Introduction to the Musandam Governorate

The Musandam Peninsula is the smallest and most northerly region of Oman, covering an area of approximately 3,000 square kilometres. It is separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates and its rocky headland just out into the Strait of Hormuz, giving it strategic domination over one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The population of the Peninsula is approximately 30,000 with the greatest concentration of people living in Khasab, the capital.

The magnificent Hajar mountain range dominates the Musandam landscape, extending about 640 kilometres from Ras al Hadd in the south to Khasab, ending with the Ru'us al Jabal ("Heads of Mountains") plunging dramatically and dizzily into the sea.

Musandam's highest mountain is Jabal Harim, at 2,087 metres. The entire interior of the region is mountainous, with one graded track stretching from Daba to Khasab that snakes through narrow gorges, up hairpin bends and down into wadi beds.

Icons in Khasab - The Main Town

Khasab Castle

This picturesque castle on the inner cove of Khasab Bay overlooks the harbour and represent Khasab's eastern line of defence. Contained within its low, crenellated walls is a massive central tower that pre-dates the castle itself and preceded the arrival of Portuguese in the 16th century.

The Souq

At the back of the castle to the east, in the Harat al Khamzari district, are the plantations and seasonal homes of the Kumzari tribe. Further east is the souq, with bustling shops selling most of the usual items found elsewhere in Oman, as well as imported Irani goods, locally made pottery and the unique Musandam axe, or jirz.

The Harbour

Traditional boat-builders can be seen at work in small shipyards adjacent to the harbour, where they engage in the constructions of fishing vessels and undertake repairs for a dwindling fleet of traditional battils. From time to time a battil can still be glimpsed in the harbour, its long, graceful bow wrapped in goatskin adorned with rows of cowrie shells and its high, elegant stern decorated with colourful ribbons.

Musandam is one of the most beautiful and untouched areas of the world. It is quiet, peaceful and serene. What would you like to see in Musandam?

See what people think about Musandam Governorate:

+TripAdvisor Click here

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below!

Beauty has an address ~ Oman

Thursday 9 April 2015

9 Gorgeous Places To Eat In Oman

What are some of the most delicious foods and drinks in Oman? Where are some of the best places to eat?

Omani cuisine reflects our rich ethnic and tribal mix. Our chefs blend flavours from the Arabian and Indian subcontinents in dishes such as grilled mishkak kabas, shuwwa and harees.

Omani families entertain at home rather than in restaurants, but our hotel scene is expanding, and with it, our restaurant culture.

Our classic sweet delicacies are dates and halwa, a soft blend of sugar, semolina, ghee, saffron, almonds and fragrant rosewater. Both go perfectly with khawa. This is an aromatic black coffee, flavoured with cardamom and poured from a metal coffee pot into beakers (finjan), as a sign of hospitality. It is always polite to accept. When you have finished, just shake our cup gently, saying Bas, shukran (Enough, thank you)

In this article we will show you 9 Gorgeous Places To Eat In Oman:

1. Al Bustan Palace. One of the finest places in Oman for fresh, locally - caught fish and seafood. You can enjoy it right beside the sea, under the stars. Muscat

www.ritzcarlton.com

2. Bin Ateeq. Reassuringly authentic, with majlis cushions on the floor, khanjar daggers on the walls and harees on the menu. Branches in Muscat, Salalah and Nizwa.

3. The Chedi. This stylish hotel's award-winning restaurant offers Omani, Asian and international cuisine in serene surroundings which ooze modern-Arabian chic. Al-Ghobra.

www.ghmhotels.com/en/muscat/

4. Kargeen Caffe. Popular with expats and locals, this laid-back Muscat restaurant serves Omani grills and Italian dishes in a lantern-lit garden and shisha lounge. Madinat al Sultan Qaboos Plaza.

www.kargeencaffe.com

5. Mumtaz Mahal. One of Muscat's best Indian restaurants, with excellent cooking and sweeping views. For a theatrical finish, order a Snake Coffee, flavoured with flambéed orange peel. Qurum.

www.mumtazmahal.net

6. Opera Galleria. The complex adjoining Muscat's beautifully designed Royal Opera House Café and fine dining restaurants with an international flavour. Muscat.

Royal Opera House, Muscat (iwillbehomesoon/500px)

7. Silder Station. This industrial chic restaurant specializes in gourmet and classic sliders and burgers as well as a wide range of American grills, tapas and salad.

www.sliderstation.com

8. Shangri - La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa. This impressive resort has restaurants - choose between Arabian, Moroccan, Italian, Lebanese, Asian or traditional Omani seafood. Barr al Jissah.

www.shangri-la.com/muscat

9. Tokyo Taro Restaurant. Enjoy authentic Japanese food with a "Tepanyaki" counter and variety of sushi, sashimi and tempura.

www.omanhotels.com

Many hotels serve international cuisine, but if you would like to try something more authentically Omani, look out for qabooli (a hearty dish of rice, nuts, raisins and mutton or beef), harees (meat stew, thickened with wheat) and shuwa (tender, lightly spiced, slow-roasted meat).

What would you like to eat in Oman? Where do you think it is the best place to go for a dinner?

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below!

Beauty has an address ~ Oman

Thursday 2 April 2015

The First Ever Classic Car Grand Tour Of Oman

A unique invitation to Arabia's best kept secret. An exciting addition to the international calendar for long - distances luxury rallies.

With a network of superb roads and premium facilities, this rally will unite luxury classes of period cars with premium lifestyle experiences. If you love to explore new places, be inspired by culture, history and nature - or you just love driving - then this tour is for you.

Do you want to experience the lifestyle of royalty? Why should you join us? In this article we will show you six reasons to join us and awaken your senses to all that Arabia offers.

Architectural Heritage

Culture and Heritage

Natural History

Scenery and Landscapes

Spectacular Driving

This is going to be an historic long-distance classic car rally for the region. After much preparation and planning the registration for owners of regional and international pre-seventies classic cars who would like to join us is already open.

To enter please complete the no obligation form here:

*Registration / Expression of Interest form.

Which spot are you dreaming about in Oman? Would you join us in this incredible event?

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below!

Beauty has an address ~ Oman

Thursday 26 March 2015

6 Of The Best Wildlife - Watching Hotspots In Oman

Have you hiked along a shady wadi or camped out among our dunes? Have you discovered our secret beaches and islands?

Pack your swimwear, boots and binoculars, and prepare to be amazed.

You have heard of our cities, mosques and souqs but did you know Oman's nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries totalling almost 30,000 km2? The sheer diversity of our landscapes will astonish and inspire you.

In this article we will show you 6 of the best wildlife - watching hotspots in Oman.

1. Best for dolphin: Khasab.

Take a dhow cruise through the ruggedly scenic, fjord-like khors of northern Musandam, where humpback dolphins are commonly seen at play.

Flickr: Tom Olliver (via: Flickr)

2. Best for turtles: Ras al Jinz.

Visit Sharqiya's turtle reserve on a summer's night, and watch in amazement as female turtles haul themselves up the sands to dig their nests.

3. Best for whales: Mirbat.

This picturesque southern town has a small fort looking out to sea. If you are on a sailing trip, you may see humpback whales in the waters nearby.

4. Best for tropical fish: Damaniyat Islands.

Dive The Aquarium, as the islands' best scuba site is known, to see flitting fish, dazzling nudibranchs and delicate seahorses.

5. Best for birds: Masirah Island.

Well over 300 species including kingfishers, plovers, terns and flamingos have been counted on Masirah's wetlands and mudflats.

6. Best for desert mammals: Wusta.

This arid region is home to endangered Arabian oryx, a striking - looking gazelle, plus Nubian ibex, desert foxes, sand cats and caracals.

Our natural heritage is extraordinarily precious. If you love nature, our landscapes will beckon you on at every turn.

Which spot would you choose? What would it be your best advice for a wildlife - watcher?

Please, take a moment to leave your comment below!

Beauty has an address ~ Oman

Thursday 19 March 2015

Top 10 Awesome Things To Buy In Oman

What are some of the most beautiful things to buy in Oman? What can Oman offer to its visitors?

Oman offers a wonderful range of traditional Arabian products both natural and manufactured, ranging from inexpensive bags of aromatic frankincense and tubs of bukhoor through to elaborately wrought khanjars and chunky Bedu jewellery.

In towns like Mutrah, Nizwa, Rustaq and Salalah, trading is a way of life. The aim is not just to buy and sell, but also to pour coffee, share it with friends and catch up on the news.

Visitors, too, can take the pulse of an Omani town by exploring its souqs or covered markets, their stalls stacked with incense, produce, spices and antiques. Omanis like to shop in the cool of the evening. To enjoy the souqs at their most lively and atmospheric, visit after sunset.

In this article we will show you the top 10 things travellers can buy in Oman.

1. Frankincense.