You can see a unique mix of the ancient and new on an Oman holiday. From the culturally rich towns and the preserved castles in desert oases, to the brand new resorts created for luxury holidays, Oman can offer an Arabian experience in a beautiful and dramatic landscape of desert and hot sandy beaches.
Although the country's capital, Muscat, is a tolerant and forward-looking city, Oman is an Islamic country, so visitors should remember to pay proper respect to Muslim customs during their Oman holidays. Women travellers should make themselves aware of the guidelines for what they should wear in public, as it is often inappropriate to have too much skin exposed to view, or to wear figure-hugging clothes. This is unlikely to be an issue on the beach resorts or in the hotels, but when exploring the towns, it may be prudent for women travellers to cover their legs and shoulders.
New Oman Holiday Development
Although Oman is a traditional country, that is not to say it is not modern. In recent years the government has invested huge amounts in the development of the country's infrastructure, and especially in hotels. There are now a number of high quality and eye-catching hotels to service tourists on an Oman luxury holiday.
The locations of the hotels are frequently chosen to take advantage of Oman's dramatic mountain ranges, the captivating open space of desert, and the blue waters of the Arabian sea or the Gulf of Oman. Holidays in the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort provide a good example of the beautiful locations available to tourists. A wholly new resort of three luxury hotels has been built here adjacent to a pristine stretch of coastline, providing access to secluded and private beaches near protected areas where sea turtles make their nests. The hotels, Al Waha (4-star), Al Bandar and Al Husn (both 5-star) have been designed with Arabian architecture in mind, so your Oman luxury holiday will be surrounded with features and decorations resembling those of a palace.
Ancient Listed Sites
But the modern developments have not been at the cost of the history of the country. Together with UNESCO, Oman has protected a number of ancient sites so that future generations can experience the national heritage on an Oman holiday. Some of the sites, like the ones of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn, are more important for their archaeological value than as attractions for Oman holidays. The Bahla fort though, is an impressive monument to the abilities of the tribe that built it between the 12th and 15th Century. It has undergone restoration to its high towers and sandstone walls to prepare it for visits by Oman holiday makers.
The fort of Rostaq is similarly grand: a sturdy-looking castle that emulates the strength of the imposing Jebel Akhdar Mountains in the background. The Al-Hazm fort is less intimidating, with its smoother, lighter stone and curved outer walls. There are many such forts throughout the country for you to visit on your Oman holiday.
Together with a visit to Muscat, where antiquated palaces and modern buildings are side by side, you can experience the rich history of the country during your Oman holidays.
Claire Bryant is an Oman holidays specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in Oman holidays, as well as holidays to Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean, Italy, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, and Dubai. key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.
