Discover the Arabian Peninsula...

OMAN : عمان

The Sultanate of Oman (سلطنة عُمان) is a timeless country steeped in history and tradition bordering a glittering coast and covering a terrain of rugged mountains and vast salt flats.

Occupying the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman possesses a rich and diverse topography that divides the country naturally into three distinct regions, each with its own identity. From the rugged mountains and deep fjords in the north, the spectacular dunes of the Sharqiyah (Wahiba) Sands, to the lush green hills of the Dhofar region in the south, the natural wonders of Oman will surprise you when you venture out of the unspoilt, traditional cities.

You can experience historic Oman in the ancient interior city of Nizwa, the coastal towns, the Capital and in the southern city of Salalah. Even in its modernity, Oman is distinctly Arab and offers visitors a glimpse of many unique old-world wonders.

The Omani culture has its roots firmly in the Islamic religion, however, Omanis are not only tolerant of the beliefs of different Muslim sects, they are also tolerant towards believers of other faiths who are allowed to practise their religion in churches and temples.

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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi, (أبو ظبي‎ Abū ẓabī) literally meaning Father of Gazelle, is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is its second largest city. Lying on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast, Abu Dhabi has emerged as a dynamic, cosmopolitan metropolis. Its rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed Abu Dhabi into one of the most Westernised Arab cities. As recently as 50 years ago, Abu Dhabi was home to nomadic peoples whose lives and economy revolved around date farming, camel herding and pearl diving. Today, thanks to enormous oil reserves, it is arguably the richest city in the world and is even bigger than Dubai. Sunny blue skies can be expected throughout the year with the hot and humid months of June through September averaging maximum temperatures above 35°C. During this time, sandstorms also occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility down to a few meters. The oasis city of Al-Ain, about 150 km away, regularly records the highest summer temperatures in the country; however, the dry desert air and cooler evenings make it a traditional retreat from the intense summer heat and year round humidity of the capital city. The weather is cooler from November to March. 

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