Why We Love Oman (And You Should, Too!)

Oman’s story began over 10,000 years ago where people began to settle in the Muscat Governate during the Stone Age.  A traditional craft that has developed through many generations since then is one that is considered an ancient industry. Omani’s proudly display their pottery pieces as a distinct testimony to the extent to which civilisation has advanced. Although it is often thought of as one of the most primitive and simple forms of art, the intricacy and skill to mould clay into cleverly crafted pots represents the livelihood of many traditional Omani families. Frankincense burners are a great example.

Traditional Craft and Pottery Pieces

The beauty of Oman continues as it is among the leading countries in the world that support a multitude of other craft industries. The Al Jabal Al Akhdar (the Green Mountain) blooms with roses in April and the farmers who planted, pruned and picked roses reap the harvest of their efforts: the production of distilled rose water.  Harvesting of Frankincense is also a practiced tradition with the trade having been passed down through generations. The frankincense trees or the ‘Land of Frankincense’ is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site marking another segment of Omani heritage that has “outstanding universal value” (UNESCO).

Land of Frankincense

Moving out to salty waters, the climate of Oman below the sea creates an underwater paradise for both fisherman and divers. The nutrient rich water boosts the ecology as huge shoals of fish feed off phytoplankton, making the waters along Salalah’s coast one of the best stretches for fishing among the world’s oceans. Pods of dolphins, manta ray and turtles make for a stunning scuba diving adventure while a resident group of Humpback Whales are the only whales in the world that don’t migrate and can frequently be spotted in the Arabian Sea. Oman’s rich marine bio-systems add another chapter to Oman’s ‘fairytale’ to fall in love with.

Fisherman

Oman’s story continues. Discover the richness of the Omani life... Chapters of culture, history and heritage await.

Beauty has an address - Oman

OMAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM EXHIBITING AT THE BIRMINGHAM CRUISE SHOW

OMAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM EXHIBITING AT THE BIRMINGHAM  CRUISE SHOW

STAND B40

In the last decade, Oman has seen cruise passenger arrivals increase to in excess of quarter of a million per annum.  With cruise ships stopping on round-the-world voyages, repositioning voyages to and from Asia or as a key feature of itineraries by ships operating in Arabian Water, Oman has firmly established itself as an up-and-coming cruise ship destination.

Muscat, Khasab and Salalah are the three key ports servicing the country, allowing passengers to explore the rich and varied wildlife and cultural heritage Oman has to offer. Discover the wide range of attractions when having a day stop-over in Oman, including visits to a number of museums and art galleries, a trip to a Bedouin camp or a dive into Oman’s rich marine life at one of the numerous diving spots.

Muscat, the capital of Oman is a perfect blend of old and new and has a wonderful landscape with mountains on the one side and the beautiful Indian Ocean on the other. Muscat’s most popular attractions are the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House, the Al Alam Palace , Mutrah Souk,  Bait al Zubair museum and the Big Bus Tour  and for a little more adventure try a four wheel drive safari in the desert. For something totally different, cruise to Salalah in the south of Oman and experience the Dhofar region’s lush green landscapes. Unspoiled beaches make Salalah a true paradise for water sports, ideal for scuba diving, canoeing, sailing and jet skiing. The Musandam Peninsula (Khasab), is a rugged region with an impressive natural beauty in particular the Hajar Mountains descending into the Arabian Sea. Make a trip in a traditional wooden dhow to discover the fishing villages and the cliffs of the Hajar Mountains. Most of the luxury cruise tour operators visit Khasab.

Many tour operators offer cruises that stop in Oman, starting from 15-day cruises. Fred Olsen Cruises offers a 19 day ‘fly and cruise’ from £999 per person and stops at Oman’s second largest city and busiest cruise port, Salalah (www.fredolsencruises.com). Visitors who want to see more of the Sultanate have the option to cruise more ports and see the variety of Oman’s different regions. Voyages of Discovery offers an 18 day cruise and will stop in Muscat, Sur and Salalah, from £1149 per person (www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk).

For more information, please visit the website www.omantourism.gov.om.

MUSCAT, THE EAGLE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

THE OMAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM SPENT THE WEEKEND AT RUTLAND BIRDFAIR – “MUSCAT, THE EAGLE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD”

Oman’s bird-watching scene is ever increasing with 517 species recorded on the Oman Bird list an impressive number considering Oman is an arid country with no real forests and vast areas of deserts. The country is a bird-watcher’s paradise, including scores of unusual indigenous species as well as many foreign birds such as the Golden Oriole, Nightjar and White Stork. Between September and November, Oman is on the migration route for many types of eagles, such as the Imperial Eagle and the Greater Spotted Eagle. In particular, Masirah Island is known to be Oman’s top spot for twitchers.

March is one of the best months for bird-watching due to cooler temperatures and migratory 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 locations for bird-watchers. Many exotic species also live on the Dimaniyat Islands and in Musandam.

The Oman Botanic Garden, a new world-class development to celebrate, research, cherish and protect the unique plants, wildlife, environment and botanical heritage of Oman is located just outside Muscat and is a long-term project. The 420ha project is currently under construction; when complete it will be the largest botanic garden in the Arabian Peninsula. Visitors can experience the diverse habitats of Oman, investigate the orientation centre, explore the site, discover traditional Omani skills at the craft village, learn at the field studies centre, buy Omani plants at the plant shop and much more. To follow its development path see www.omanbotanicgarden.com.

For more information on birding in Oman please click here.

                                   

Celebs Take to Oman for Serenity and Soft Adventure

Celebs are one and the same when it comes to wanting a few days off the job and a place to relax and unwind on holiday. Stay cations in the UK may be on the up but with the British weather living up to its unreliable reputation, sun-seeking celebs are hunting out destinations that have comfort, culture and constant sunshine during their precious summer holidays. Oman is hotting up as a favourite among some familiar faces offering all of these things and minimum jetlag with only a four hour time difference.

Hotels in Oman have put their best foot forward and received some raving reviews from the likes of Lulu Guinness, Christopher Biggins and Kate Silverton. The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and in particular the Al Husn (one of three hotels in the resort) was described as “the last word in discreet and sophisticated luxury” with “a beautifully designed infinity pool” and attendants that supply not only “towels, chilled water to drink but an iced face spray” (Lulu Guinness). Whilst Lulu made the best of the spa and private beach, Christopher Biggins was enamoured with the “wonderful” food on offer from the 16 restaurants and bars within the resort as a whole, exclaiming in his Daily Mail article that “you never need to leave the resort to find a place to eat, everything you could ever need is right here”.

To read Lulu’s full article, click here or to read Christopher’s full article click here.

The beautiful Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort has attracted many people with its alluring invitation to paraglide into the resort from the mountain range above and Kate Silverton herself admits that was her initial reason for booking! However, with her four-month-old daughter Clemency, and husband, Mike, waiting patiently in the 4x4, she opted for the more conventional method of travel. Catering for the adventurous and those more attached to the private pools by the villas, the hotel “resembles a traditional Omani-village, with stone-clad villas and thatched roofs.” Proving that the first family holiday doesn’t have to be as fearsome as many think, Kate talks about “how everything we could possibly want for Clemency had been thoughtfully left for us in our villa” and that activities such as “crab-hunting, cookie-baking and Arabic lessons” were on offer to keep older children entertained. Child care facilities were also on offer for those that wanted to head out hiking or diving to explore the surrounding area.

Read the full article about Kate’s Oman experience here.

Fiona Bruce was looking for ’luxury’ in a ‘real country with a history’ and “found both – and more – in Oman”. The Chedi hotel being the “ultimate in minimalist good taste” provided a fantastic base to explore Muscat and the surrounding area. 

Dazzled by jewellery in the souks and adventuring out to Desert Nights Camp, Fiona and family had an “exhiliarating and terrifying ride in a 4 x 4 through dunes”, “dinner under the stars” and a camel ride the next morning before heading back the The Chedi for a few more days of luxury.

Fiona’s full article on her time in Oman can be read here.

Great reviews all round, it’s no wonder that these celebs are already musing about their next Oman adventure!

Oman Sail Breaks Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race World Record

photo © Mark Lloyd / www.lloydimages.com

Musandam-Oman Sail on top of the world after breaking Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Record

Off the back of Cowes Week 2014, Oman Sail along with Sidney Gavignet and the crew- including three Omani's- of Musandam-Oman Sail, a MOD70 Trimaran, crossed the finish line of the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race off the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes at 12.42.36 BST on Thursday 14th August 2014 with an elapsed time of 3d 03hr 32m 36s. The team had no idea they had broken the World Record until crossing the finish line.

Breaking the previous World Record for a multihull held by Banque Populaire 5 in 2011, by 16minutes 38seconds. As seen in the Independent.

Cowes Week was a great success for The Oman Ministry of Tourism with a huge mix of competitive sailing and social activities. The attendees were also able to stop by the Oman Exhibition Pavilion to learn more about the destination and its sailing holidays.

Images of Cowes week and the Oman team:

Cowes Week Facebook Album

Pinterest

Oman Sail's Image Gallery

photo © Mark Lloyd / www.lloydimages.com

The Sultanate of Oman's diverse landscape includes 3,165 kilometres of pristine, sandy Indian Ocean beaches, magnificent fjords in Musandam in the far north, the striking Hajar Mountains and the lush green valleys of Dhofar, in the south. Approximately the size of Germany Oman's diverse natural biodiversity will leave you breathless.

Top 5 Ultimate Ideas in Oman: Cultural and Social Interest

1. The Middle East’s new fashion scene.

2. On the trail of Sinbad the Sailor: in Sohar, Oman’s “Gateway to China”, and in the footsteps of Tim Severin’s Sindbad Voyage

3. Behind the scenes in the building of Muscat's new designer fish market - how will it change the lives of those who work and shop there?

4. Muscat as Oman’s cultural capital: Muscat Festival, Opera House et al

5. Traditional Omani food – influences and adopted flavours from Indian tamarind to Zanzibarian citrus

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

Top 9 Ultimate Ideas in Oman: Adventure holidays

1. Women’s sailing in the Gulf (new trend): in 2012, 21 locals were the first women to be awarded instructor’s certificates

2. Hardcore hiking in Jabal Akhdar

3. Cycling in the tracks of the Tour of Oman

4. Kayaking and canoeing through Musandam fjords   

5. Kiteboarding on Masirah Island

6. Circumnavigation of Masirah Island by bike as experienced by the European Champion, including wild camping

7. Oman by sea: ferry travel to Musandam, along the coast, to Masirah Island

8. Hiking Oman’s exhilarating vie ferrate

9. Abseiling into Majlis al Jinn

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