Oman has emerged from its recluse, revealing a land of friendly people and dramatic landscapes strewn with oases, forts and palaces that inspire exploration.

The legendary home of Sinbad the Sailor, Oman retains its ancient atmosphere, coupled with luxurious hotels, striking beaches and fascinating markets. Be sure to wander the world’s fifth biggest mosque, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque or marvel at the surprisingly tropical greenery of Salalah, the largest city in the South of Oman. Explore the vast sands of the Empty Quarter or admire the Northern exclave Musandam, dubbed “Norway of Arabia”.

Time Zone: GMT + 4

Currency: Omani Rial (OMR) contains 1,000 Baiza. 1 OMR = 2.65 USD

Measurement: Metric Voltage, 220 V with British 3–pin sockets

Capital: Muscat

Language: Official language is Arabic with English widely spoken and considered the second official language. Other languages include Urdu, Swahili and Baluchi. Many hotel staff speak German and French

Religion: Islam

Climate: The country’s climate is predominantly arid and varies slightly from one region to another. In the coastal areas, the weather is hot and humid during the summer months, while it is dry elsewhere in the interior. Milder weather dominates the mountains and Southern Dhofar region all year round. Winter temperatures can be as low as 15° Celsius and summer temperatures can be as high as 46° Celsius in Muscat and as high as 50° Celsius in the desert

Dress code: Respectful clothing is recommended especially in the interior areas and the local souks. Please wear long trousers and sleeves with cleavages concealed. For mosque visits, ladies have to additionally cover their hair

Best time of visit: The best time of the year to visit Oman is between October and April, when the weather is pleasantly warm in the day and cool in the evening. Temperature averages at 25-35° Celsius during the day to 17-19° Celsius at night

Weekend: Friday is the official weekend for everyone. The government is off on Thursday and Friday