Oman the Essence of Arabia

With history dating back to 3000 BC, the Sultanate of Oman’s unspoiled and undeveloped land tells a lot of culture and history.  Boarding the U.A.E, Yemen and Saudi Arabia Oman is pretty easy to get to.  It is a quiet and stunning country that is along the beautiful Indian ocean.  Flights arrive daily into Muscat, and you can easily drive there from Dubai.

Oman is a land of great sailors and traders.  One thing that will immediately stand out is that everything is a lot more liberal. Oman is an Islamic country and while Omanis themselves adhere to traditions, they are quite tolerant of other cultures.  Alcohol and homosexuality are still taboos here however both are enjoyed openly. Oman is not a "gay" tourist destination, however more and more openly gay tourists can be seen around.

Other endearing qualities to this Sultanate are that Omanis are great hosts, and travelling there is a very safe destination. Oman is a great way to see traditional Arabic culture, and still be able to enjoy modern conveniences without going over the top with large infrastructure like other Gulf area countries.

The two most popular things to enjoy besides the beach are to go Dolphin watching off of the shores of Muscat, and of course get in a 4x4 and hit the desert. There are many experienced guides that can take you up and down the dunes, however it is possible to rent a 4x4 and drive over them yourself.

Oman is enjoying a renaissance and it's 5 star hotels as well as simple and lonely tents in the desert are drawing all different types of tourists.  If you have a desire to see Arabia, consider Oman first, you won't be disappointed!

Have you been to Oman? What are your experiences there?  Leave a comment!

Want more Real Footprints?  Follow us on Twitter ,  Facebook or subscribe to receive email updates about each new post!