Oman (5th Edition)

- Blurb -

This new, fully updated fifth edition of Bradt' s Oman offers all the information needed to plan a visit to this rapidly developing Arabian nation, written by experts Tony Walsh, a veteran of Oman' s travel industry, and Diana Darke, who originally worked for the Omani government in 1980 and has remained acquainted with the country ever since. All parts of the country are covered, including areas not featured by other guides, and Arabic script for town names is detailed to aid on-the-ground navigation and exploration. New for this edition are coverage of the restored medieval walled town of Manah, with its labyrinth of passages and mud-brick houses, developments at the UNESCO site of Ubar at Shisr, and in Muscat the fort at Mutrah, with its panoramic views over the Corniche. Also covered are the seasonal cloud forest in Dhofar in the south, the mountains of the north that leap from the plains to over 3,000 metres, the two major international airports in Muscat and Salalah, transport and road developments making access from Dubai quicker and improving the journey into the Wihibah Sands, and new hotels and restaurants, from luxury to simple. For outdoor enthusiasts, adventure tourism, extreme sports (including caving and the via ferrata climbing route), catamaran sailing and Tour of Oman bike race are all covered, as well as birdwatching. Whether trekking little used mountain paths or visiting small villages wrapped around date oases, browsing the local market or enjoying the weekend camel and horse races, Bradt' s Oman is an indispensable companion. From the famed Rub Al Khali, the world' s largest sand desert, to the northern coastal town of Qurayyat, it offers everything you need for a successful trip. AUTHORS: The original author of Bradt' s Oman, Diana Darke, first worked in the country for the Omani government in 1980, and remained acquainted with Oman for over 30 years. With a BA in Arabic (Oxford) and an MA in Islamic Art and Architecture (SOAS, London) her in-depth cultural background knowledge is second to none. She is the author of 16 guidebooks on Turkey and the Middle East including Bradt' s Eastern Turkey and Syria guides. Tony Walsh has been writing about Oman since 1999. He took his readers across the desert to join in camel racing, to the shores of the Arabian Sea on a hunt for abalone and to the mountain heights in search of Oman' s fragrant Damask rose. Following his update for the 4th edition of the Bradt guide to Oman, Tony is delighted to include Oman' s latest attraction in the 5th edition of this guide.