Table of Contents

Contents Acknowledgements Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography , Climate , Historical overview , Government and politics , Economy , People , Language , Religion , Education , Culture , Natural history and conservation Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit , Highlights , Suggested itineraries , Tourist information , Tour operators , Red tape , Oman embassies and consulates overseas , Getting there and away , Health , Safety , What to take , Money and budgeting , Getting around , Accommodation , Eating and drinking , Public holidays and working hours , Shopping , Activities , Photography , Media and communications , Cultural etiquette , Giving something back PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Muscat Getting there , Getting around , Tourist information , Tour operators , Where to stay , Where to eat , Entertainment and nightlife , Shopping , Media and communications , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Muttrah , Muscat Old Town , Sidab , Haramil , Al Bustan , Bander Jissah , Qantab , Bander Khayran , Fahal Island , Yiti , Quriyat , Ruwi , Qurum , Qurum Beach , Madinat Qaboos , Al Khuwair , Bowshar , Ghubra , Azaiba , Seeb , Al Khoud , Excursions beyond Muscat Chapter 4 The Batinah Coast and Plain Getting there , Where to stay , Where to eat , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Barka , Al Sawadi , As Suwaiq , Al Khaboura , Saham , Sohar , Liwa , Shinas , The Batinah Plain , The Rustaq Loop , Rustaq Chapter 5 Musandam Getting there , Getting around , Tour operators , Where to stay , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Driving tour of Musandam , Bukha , Qida and Tawi , Khasab , Kumzar , Khor a'Najd , Sal al A'la , Jebel Harim , Dibba , Madah Chapter 6 The Dhahirah Getting there , Tour operator , Where to stay , Ibri , Wadi Hawasina , Al Dariz , Bat , Yanqul , Wadi Fidda , Dank , Buraimi Chapter 7 The Dakhiliyah Getting there , Getting around , Tour operators , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Fanja , Bidbid , Al Firfareh , The Sumail Gap , Sumail , Al Hobe , Mutti , Wadi Halfayn and the Persian Steps , Izki , Birkat al Mawz , Wadi Muaydin , Saiq plateau , Jebel Akhdar , Nizwa , Seih al Barakat , Fiqain , Manah , Izz and Adam , Tanuf , Hamra , Misfah , Al Hota Cave and Sharfat al Alamayn , Wadi Ghul, Jebel Shams, Wadi Nakhr Gorge (The Grand Canyon) and Falcon's View , Bahla , Jebel Kawr and Al Ghafat Chapter 8 The Sharqiya Getting there , Tour operators , Where to stay , Where to eat , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Along the inland route from Muscat to Sur , Al Rawdah , Akhdar , Samad , Lizq , Al Mudaybi , Sinaw , Ibra , Al Mudayrib , Al Mintirib , Wahiba Sands , Wadi Bani Khaled , As Saleel Natural Park , Jalaan Bani Bu Hassan , Jalaan Bani Bu Ali , Al Ashkhara , As Seelah , Along the coastal route from Muscat to Sur , Wadi Dayqah , Dibab and the sinkhole , Bimah and Umq , Fins to Tiwi , Shaab and Tiwi , Qalhat , Sur , Al Ayjah , Ras al Hadd , Ras al Jinz , Masirah Island Chapter 9 Al Wusta Where to stay and eat , The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary , Muscat to Salalah , The Hallaniyat Islands Chapter 10 Dhofar History , The Dhofaris , Getting there , Getting around , Tour operators , Where to stay , Where to eat , Other practicalities , What to see and do , Salalah , Taqa , Khor Rori and Sumharam , Mirbat , Jebel Samhan , Sadah , Halaniyat Islands , [may be deleted from ch 10 as already in ch 9] Thumrait , Shisr and Ubar , Wadi Andhur , West of Salalah , Mughsail , Raykut Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Glossary Appendix 3 Further Reading Index

About the Author

Fluent Arabic-speaker Diana Darke has more than 30 years' experience in the Middle East and worked as a translator/interpreter for the Omani government. She is the author of Bradt's Syria and North Cyprus.

Reviews

'A welcome aid to help navigate the streets of the capital, Muscat, and to explore the vast expanses of the Wahabi and the aptly named Empty Quarter.' The Independent 'We recommend [the] Bradt guidebook to Oman.' Holiday Which? 'This detailed guidebook is written by two ladies who haven't just visited Oman but have lived there. Their love and passion for the country comes through in their writing.' Real Travel Excellent and completely up to date.' The Sunday Telegraph