More about the Glorious Sultan of Oman

You can visit a Bedouin camp and sleep under the stars, or camp on an isolated beach while listening to every lap of the waves rolling on to the beach. Shop in the ancient souks (markets) and breathe in the fragrant frankincense while inspecting the exotic spices, silks and silver ceremonial Omani daggers (Khanjars).

The gateway to all of this is Muscat, which greets travellers with its new state-of-the-art international airport. There are direct flights from many international destinations. Muscat is sandwiched between the mountains and the coast. It's a perfect place to spend a few days in a luxury hotel and explore the souks and Old Muscat, the location of the Sultan's palace.

Explore further afield and discover Jebel Akhdar, with its fruit trees and rose terraces. This was also the famous location where the late Princess Diana was photographed looking over the beautiful valleys. It's cooler up the mountain at Jebel Akhdar and this brings snow in winter! Yet another dimension to this picturesque country.

You can also seek out the Bimmah sinkhole and Fins Beach, the latter with its pure, white sand and sea that's so blue. For the more active, there's sand-boarding and 'dune bashing' in 4WD vehicles.

And don't forget the beautiful wadis that are everywhere in Oman. This time of year, when the average temperature is lower, they are especially beautiful and great for a leisurely picnic. In Salalah, where the climate is different, the greenery abounds and makes a stunning contrast to the more northern areas of the Sultanate.

Or how about the ancient city of Nizwa and its 17th century fort for those who enjoy a bit of history? You can also hop on an internal flight and visit Musandam and its fjords or the lush landscapes of Salalah in the south.

Oman is a very versatile country: you can have a long or short stay and get so much from it. It's fantastic if you're single, or with your partner and for families. Adventure or relaxation. The choice is yours.

One thing for sure is that once you've been, you'll want to go again. Oman is a place that will leave an indelible impression in your heart. As a resident of nearly ten years, I can personally vouch for that.

For more information on short or long stays, hotels, desert camps, sand surfing and caving adventures, call me today!