There's a wealth of natural beauty here, and some formidable mountain ranges to tackle. This is an old country, but official tourism is less than 20 years old.
Oman still has a comparatively vast quantities of oil, though concerns are being voiced about the black stuff, which was such a magnet to expats. The heydays are not quite over yet, however: it's still cheaper to fill up here than before you leave Europe.
Far from the flesh-pots of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Muscat still feels like an intimate coastal town. Only 30 years ago they used to lock the gates at 9pm, but it's eased up a bit since then. It also boasts the Al Bustan Palace Hotel, a deluxe five-star with its own beach: it reopens in October after a major refurbishment.
Oman is the site of more than 1,000 desert forts. In the old days, date honey was poured onto the heads of would-be invaders. These days, you're more likely to be met with a smile.
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