Oman

by Tony Walsh

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781804690543
Publisher:	Bradt Travel Guides Ltd
Publication date:	05/23/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	1,019,164
File size:	57 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Tony Walsh has been writing about Oman since 1999. He took his readers across the desert to join in camel racing, to the shores of the Arabian Sea on a hunt for abalone and to the mountain heights in search of Oman's fragrant Damask rose. Following his update for the 4th edition of the Bradt guide to Oman, Tony is delighted to include Oman's latest attraction in the 5th edition of this guide.

Diana Darke, the original author of Bradt's Oman, first worked in the country for the Omani government in 1980, and remained acquainted with Oman for over 30 years. With a BA in Arabic (Oxford) and an MA in Islamic Art and Architecture (SOAS, London) her in-depth cultural background knowledge is second to none. She is the author of 16 guidebooks on Turkey and the Middle East including Bradt's Eastern Turkey and Syria guides.

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Table of 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