gleekfamily
Posts 3621

Ahh...I've been trying to find this thread but I couldn't remember what I named it! Thumbs up to Cleopatra for reviving it...

Thanks to the ladies for all the suggestions...I have to add, we are outdoorsy BUT I will have a 2.5 year old in tow so we might be limited. We are officially in planning stages as half my family has booked their tickets, so I'm sure I'll come back for solid planning advice.

Thanks again!!!!!!

Cleopatra
Posts 999

Can anyone recommend a Hotel in Salalah, there seems to be a choice of Crown Plaza, Hilton Marriott...but which one is the nicest one?

Megawatson
Posts 522

Outdoorsy - you'll love it. You can camp anywhere you like in Oman, and it's a wonderful mix of desert, mountain and sea. I agree that you need a 4X4, and I would say you need longer than a few days.

Alternate two or three days in the middle of nowhere, in wadis and on beaches, with a night in a hotel for a nice bath and good meal.

Definitely go to Ras al-Jinz, near Sur, to see the green turtles.

Cultural - the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque just outside Muscat is beautiful, open to non-Muslims for a short time in the mornings. They lay a special carpet for non-Mulsim feet over what used to be the largest Persian carpet in the world (until the Abu Dhabi one) and take a pashmina - a specially designated woman will wrap it around your head in the appropriate way.

Oman is a wonderful country.

FebruarySnow
Posts 127

better to have 4x4 and Oman off road book, so many good places like Al Hoota cave (under restoration now, will be open in a month), or Musandam (dolphin trip), Muskat, Salalah (a bit far but very lovely place)..I can't wait to go again to Oman when the weather will be cooler.

plum2
Posts 1575

If you're thinking of heading to Muscat you really need to give it more than a couple of days. It's a good 4 1/2 to 5 hour drive to Muscat, more if the border is busy. It's also such a lovely country with so many places to visit that it's worth spending a bit more time there. You meet many more Omanis (working in all sorts of places) than you ever meet Emiratis here and they are lovely people.

Clairehdp
Posts 15149

the Oman Dive Centre is in the most gorgeous bay - check out the website for info on accommodation there and trips to see the turtles etc.

http://www.omandivecenter.com/EN_Tours_Adventure.php#Ras al Hadd Overnight

der
Posts 610

If you're heading to Muscat there's loads to do both in town and out and about. In town Muttrah souk, walk along the corniche, Grand Mosque, Armed Forces and other museums. Drive to Nizwa (the old capital) about 90 minutes or so away.

You could also check out Trip Advisor:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g294006-i2046-Oman.html

and this blog, Living in Oman, which is now finished because the blogger has moved to Singapore but there's loads of information on the right hand side if you scroll through the lists:

http://www.livinginoman.com/

AnnJ
Posts 112

We went there last November. All you need is a book “Oman off-road” and there are quite few routes you can choose from. We stayed one night in Sohar, then one night in Muscat, one night in Sur and Nizwa. In between we drive wadies, visited heritage sights and turtle watching. We had a great time and there are many things to do and it’s much greener then here.

Sanddy_Dogg
Posts 8479

Were you thinking off heading over Muscat way?

SAgirl
Posts 79

A dhow cruise in musandam is v nice. But it's only a day trip though. I think Arabian adventures may have Oman packages for 3 days. Might give you an idea for an itinerary

gleekfamily
Posts 3621

I thought there were bunches of these threads, but now I can't find them (when I search "Oman" all I get are visa trip threads - ha!). I have family coming to visit over the winter break (approx. 12/17-1/4) and we want to do a couple days in Oman. We are an outdoors-y family interested in cultural things and nature. I have some ideas, but not sure if I'm missing anything. Has anyone spent a couple days there and can give some advice