Reasons To Visit Oman
With all of these mountains, wadis and desert dunes, it is probably apparent that a saloon car isn't going to suffice for many of the journeys you take in Oman! A 4WD, piloted by a skilled local, is very often required and adds to the sense of adventure.
Oman's miles of coastline are a veritable haven of white-sand beaches and secluded coves. Whether you choose to stay in a downtown Muscat hotel where the beach is wide and open, or to head to somewhere like Musandam, where your hotel is likely to be the only thing for miles around, Oman's beaches are one of her major attractions.
The Wahiba Sands are easily accessible from Muscat and provide an insight into desert life. The tall dunes hide small Bedouin encampments, and a surprising array of wildlife. For the truly adventurous, the legendary sands of the Rub' al Khali, or Empty Quarter, beckon in the south of the country.
Although a clichéd phrase, much of Oman is relatively untouched by Western influences, and when you stand at Nizwa market watching the locals haggle over livestock, or admire the way fields have been terraced into impossibly steep mountainsides, you're appreciating a more traditional lifestyle.
The Hajar Mountains have kept the interior of Oman isolated for millennia , and the remote villages steeply terraced into the mountainsides seem little changed in that time. In Salalah the mountains have captured the moisture in the ocean air, allowing the liquid gold of frankincense to be grown on their slopes.
Cutting through heavily folded rock, with pretty streams and swaying palms nestled in their beds, the wadis of Oman are a major attraction, from the gentle and peaceful Wadi Bani Khalid through to the drama of Wadi Gul, with its 1 kilometre sheer sides.
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North Africa & the Middle East
Smart and comfortable with efficient staff and a good location in central Muscat, the Grand Hyatt hotel is a great place to relax and soak up the Arabian sun.
The extravagant style of the Grand Hyatt is immediately obvious on entering the lobby which is adorned with stained glass windows, marble and a grand central statue of an Arab on horseback.
The rooms are noticeably spacious and are equipped with all modern facilities and a private balcony or terrace, most with sea views. There is a lovely pool with a swim up bar and lazy river.
The pool and garden areas lead on to the sandy beach of Shatti Al Qurm overlooking the Gulf of Oman.
At its heart is old Muscat, a walled city with a natural harbour watched over by the twin fortresses of Jalali and Mirani, where the Sultan has his palace. Nearby, the historic commercial district of Muttrah spreads along the shore of a wide bay.
Muscat
Our rating: Deluxe
Further reading:OmanWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout OmanCountry Guides
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