The desert landscape of Oman is romantic in its own way. Its solitude and endlessness conjures images of lonely Bedouins hanging lamps outside of their tents at night; of camel led caravans transporting gems, jewels and spice; of impossibly green pockets of heaven bursting with life. Therein lies the undeniable allure of exotic Oman. The country holds the promise of adventure and boundless excitement that only the most intrepid of travellers can fully enjoy.
The main international portal into Oman is the Muscat International Airport, formerly known as the Seeb Airport. Construction of the original airport was completed in 1973; however the airport is currently being expanded and modernized to keep up with rising tourist traffic to the country. In 2000, around 2.7 million visitors passed through the terminals. By 2010 that number had more than doubled. It is the home base of Oman Air and passengers travelling in First or Business class are entitled to use the Oman Air Premium Class Lounge. The Plaza Premium Lounge offers visitors a place to sit and relax while waiting for their flight. The airport also contains excellent Duty Free shops and a number of terrific eateries. At the Muscat International Airport, transit is not necessarily a bad thing.
Muscat is the capital of Oman. Originally Muscat comprised of three small towns, within close proximity to each other, which merged as they grew. As visitors walk the olden streets of the city they cannot help but feel as if they have been transported to a different time. The three towns still maintain a unique presence that easily distinguishes one from the other. Muscat, often referred to as the “Walled City” is the site of historical palaces and monuments; Matrah, used to be a fishing village and now contains the labyrinthine Matrah Souq; and finally there is Ruwi, which is the commercial hub of the city.
Travelling between these distinct parts can at times be inconvenient. When booking a Muscat hotel, tourists should go for one with a central location. The Millennium Resort Mussanah is a luxury Oman resort that is only a 45 minute drive down from the airport. Located along the coastal beach, the hotel is within driving distance of most of the city’s attractions.
