Muscat

Muscat is the capital of Oman, an Arab state in southwest Asia. The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman.

Notes: In general, Oman is a safe place to visit. Alcohol should not be consumed in public (it is only available in hotel bars and some restaurants). Oman is a conservative Muslim country, and women should dress modestly. Visits to the Grand Mosque requires ankles, wrists, neck, head and most of your face to be covered (there is an inspection at the entrance).

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is in the modern part of town. It is open to non-Muslims from 8:30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. every day, except Friday. Dress modestly, women must cover absolutely everything.

Take a trip to the mountains in a 4x4, book a dolphin and whale watching trip or snorkel on the coral reefs.

Nizwa is the old capital of the interior and is home to a 17th century fortress with sweeping views of the desert and mountains. There is also an air-conditioned souk, with plenty of shopping opportunities on offer.

There are no swimming beaches in Muscat itself, the beach resorts are all located out of town.

Omani dishes are often based around chicken, fish, lamb and rice and contain a rich mixture of spices, herbs, and marinades. Typical Omani Dishes include ‘harees’ (wheat mixed with meat), ‘kebab’ (barbecued, grilled, or curried meat) and ‘mashuai’ (roasted kingfish).

There's also a strong Indian influence here and Muscat has some excellent Indian restaurants.

Omani coffee (kahwa) is strong and thick, flavoured with cardamom and served with a sticky and sweet ‘halwa’, made with dates, honey, sugar, nuts and spices.

Cruise ships dock at the port of Muscat. You are not allowed to walk through the port so free shuttles are provided to the gates, from here it's an easy walk to the souks and the corniche.

Taxis line up at the gates of the port, first agree on the price and make sure the driver understands where you're going.