Why Oman Is Famous ?

It's the best kept secret in the Arabian Peninsula. It is easy for him to go unnoticed with neighbors eager for prominence such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi . But Oman, even without succumbing to the masses of tourists, is a real place of contrasts worth knowing. Contrasts between its rapid evolution and its preserved traditions; between its vast desert and its oasis of crystal clear water.

Located at the southeast end of the peninsula, this sultanate borders the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west and Yemen to the southwest. It is considered the "true Arabia" because its culture and traditions have been respected and preserved as in no other country in this area. During much of the twentieth century it suffered great isolation, with closed borders and foreign trade limited to business with the English. Everything changed in 1970, when Sultan Qaboos acceded to the throne, ended that ostracism and began to manage the largest source of wealth in the country: the oil and gas fields. Explore complete Oman Packages to do every activity there.

An example of this prosperity is its capital, Muscat. Bathed by the Indian, it has evolved in four decades what other countries have experienced in centuries. But its white houses are still the postcard that best represents the city. The Great Mosque of Sultan Qaboos, which was built to celebrate its 30 years in power, is an essential visit. Modern Islamic architecture in which a simple and refined exterior contrasts with a much more ornate interior. Of record are its carpet of 70 × 60 meters and its lamp of eight tons of weight.

Much older is Nizwa Fort, one of the most famous monuments in Oman. Built in the seventeenth century, its most iconic image is its 30-meter-high and 110-girth tower (the largest in the entire Arabian Peninsula). The dome of the mosque, blue and silver, and the palm grove complete the picture of what was the capital of the country for a millennium and today, the second most visited city of the Sultanate.

Within walking distance of Muscat are several 'wadis' (canyons), authentic oases in the Omani desert, and the main destination of tourists. After an hour's journey by road you reach Wadi Shab, with high stone walls that hide pools that communicate with each other and in which it is possible to bathe (after climbing up to them). Further south, about three hours from the capital, is Wadi Tiwi, known as the "wadi of the nine villages." A perfect opportunity for trekking lovers.

But if there is a place in Oman that responds perfectly to the definition of oasis that is Bimmah Sinkhole. Very close to the coast, and halfway between Muscat and Wadi Tiwi, it is considered one of the most beautiful sinks on the planet. With about forty meters in diameter and turquoise water, the origin of this paradise - where bathing is allowed - is a mystery.

Bimmah is a regular stop for those who travel from Muscat to the South, in the Ash Sharqiyah region. The city of origin of Simbad el Marino has it all: forts, beaches and an important maritime legacy thanks to the 'dhows' that were built there. In these ships Simbad was sailing in 'The thousand and one nights', and the Omanis who colonized Zanzibar in the 17th century. A time as prosperous as now.