OMAN Dream Destination for Orient Travellers

The Arabian world at the turn of the century is a world of contrasts. Prosperity and modern living standards compete with century grown traditions. No other country in the Arabian world can offer such a successful combination of these two components, like Oman can. For centuries this country represented the oriental magic of "one thousand and one nights": being once a powerful naval supremacy and the centre of the legendary frankincense trade, this country blossomed in wealth and highest cultural levels. All throughout Oman, splendid old towns and their fortresses are witnesses of a glorious past. Being highly affected by the colonial era, Oman lost its earlier importance and wealth, turning into a country of despair and international isolationism during the past two centuries. The fast and ever changing modern developments of the west have left almost no traces in this desert land - until the very recent history. Until 1970, the year of the inauguration of Sultan Qaboos - Oman possessed only ten kilometres of tarmac road, one post office, one small hospital and three public schools...