Muscat – Palaces, Parties & Parks

I recently had the opportunity to visit Muscat and what a treat it turned out to be. I’ve never seen so many colours of life exiting in the same place at the same time. In Muscat it seems like the present has come to a standstill and the future is creeping up on it, while the past refuses to leave. It is a place where the hot sun rises over the towering mountains and burns itself out each day to sink into the depths of the ocean.

The various pieces of ancient architecture in the city simply took our breath away, even as the happening nightlife kept us energised way into the late hours. From luxurious Middle Eastern lounges to great food, from silently guarding gates to amazing museums, from gardens and mosques to hills and beaches, Muscat had it all! We landed in Muscat with a plan to stay only for a couple of days, but the city literally has so much to offer that we ended up extending our stay by several days.

Although it is difficult to point out the best, my favourite sightseeing places were the Al Jalali and Al Mirani Forts, at least among the historical locations. The fort stands by the harbour on the mountain and looks like a brooding sentinel that still continues to keep a watch over the city. Both forts were built during the Portuguese rule and modified several times over the course of history. Tourists are not allowed inside the forts since they are used by the army. However, considering the view from outside and the mixed architecture, they are still worth a visit.

We also visited the Al Alam Royal Palace in Muscat. The palace is truly a magnificent work of art with its walls and columns built in such a way that they reflect the setting sun and the blue sea. Besides palaces and forts, Muscat also had some very attractive mosques. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the third largest in the world and arguably the finest piece of architecture in the whole of Oman. It was completed in 2001 after almost nine years in construction. Due to the prevalent tourism industry of Oman, the mosque is open to non-Muslims on specific days. Although we did not know this at that time but were lucky enough to chance upon it on such a day.

Among the fun things we did while in Muscat, the highlight was the dolphin Boat trip in the Gulf of Oman. One can spend hours on the boats, sipping beverages and watching the dolphins chase each other in the open seas. One entire day we spent on the beaches, surrounded by swaying palm trees and a soothing breeze. The Qurum Beach is a popular tourist spot a little way outside Muscat, while the Bandar Al-Jissah is quite isolated and surrounded by steep rocks.

Although our preconception about Muscat was of a desert city, beaches were not the only thing which stood starkly out of this image. The city has an astounding array of gorgeous parks and gardens. After doing a little research we decided to visit the three biggest parks in Muscat, Riyam Park, Al Naseem Public Park and Quram Natural Park. While the Riyam Park has a stunning view of the ocean, the Al Naseem Park surprised us with an extensive library. I personally also loved the fountains and Rose Gardens of the Quram Natural Park.

Since Muscat is pretty big, we were initially quite confused about travelling. However, a simple search online gave us pretty great deals on Muscat car rentals. The facility is best suited for those who really wish to see as much of Muscat as they possibly can without having to stick to train or bus schedules. 

Budget Car hire in Oman

Whenever you are traveling to a foreign country like Oman on a budget holiday, the focus is on getting the best deals and saving money in whatever small way. Traveling has become a common activity amongst people, regardless of the part of world they live in. Exploring different culture and seeing other countries is become easy and affordable, and thus an activity many indulge in. Yet, the inflation and recession has made such pleasure activities difficult. Any travel outside one’s country needs ample planning in terms of booking travel tickets, arranging for the visa, hotel accommodation, internal travel arrangements, etc. However, if the Sultanate is your destination almost all these things can be taken care of online, including budget car hire in Oman.

There are many international car rental companies operating in the country. A majority of them have their official websites on the Internet. All you need to do in order to book a car for your internal travel in Oman is first choose the car you want, fill a simple form including your personal details and dates of hire, and book the vehicle using your credit card in a matter of minutes. In view of the fact that reserving a good vehicle for your travel is so easy and quick, you may do this any time before embarking on your journey. Even if you forget, not much is lost. A number of car rentals have their presence at the Muscat International Airport as well, and you can book the car of your choice once you land in the country. The vehicle will be delivered to you in a couple of hours.

Although there are quite a few options available in terms of companies for car hire, for those of you looking for budget car hire in Oman, the best option may be to look for deals online. Many car rental companies offer special discounts or free insurance for online bookings. And many deals are better advertised on the companies’ websites. Taking advantage of such deals can be a way to save money. To get your hands on the best deal, it may be wise to compare prices, deals and services. Also, book online or on your own personally. This is recommended as going through a travel agency or hotel may cost you a little more. After all, nobody works for free. Hotels as well as travel agencies charge their service fees without doubt.

Traveling in a small group may also be a good way to save money. Sharing the rent for a budget car hire in Oman among four people can turn out to be pretty cheap. Plus, the fuel prices in the country are an added benefit.

Saloon car rentals in Oman

Saloon cars or sedans are best known for their stylish looks and comfortable riding experience. When you think of such an automobile, there is a chance a particular car model and make comes to your mind. Now imagine the fun you would have, if you could hire your favourite sedan for your next holiday or work trip to the Sultanate. There are plenty of saloon car rentals in Oman, to choose from. These include international as well as local car rental companies competing for business. The leading car rentals are celebrated for their fleets of cars ranging from modest hatchbacks to luxury limousines, and even mini buses and coaches for large group travels.

In view of the fact that most lone tourists prefer the hatchbacks, and most family vacationers desire the large or mid-size SUVs, the population that hires sedans is mostly limited to business travelers and honeymooners or couples on a romantic getaway. Seeing this, if you are keen on renting a saloon car and at that a make and model that is popular with people of your class, it may be wise to book the vehicle beforehand. Many tourists make the mistake of coming to the country and then looking for internal travel options. Why do this, when resources like the Internet are at your fingertips at all times, thanks to smart phones and computers at almost all offices and homes. You can simply go online, search for a reputable car rental company operating in Oman and book the car of your choice by using your credit card. The procedure is fairly effortless and quick.

When searching online for car rental companies in Oman you will come across many. It is important that you don’t settle for the first name that pops up or seems familiar. The smart thing to do is first find companies that offer the car your desire. Once you have a few companies that do, you can start comparing the rental prices. Car hire is a competitive segment, so the range expected will be more or less the same. Once you have settled on a few companies that have good deals, start comparing the services they provide. Things to look for in this respect should be whether the company offers on-road assistance, whether it has a call center you can call in case of any emergency, whether it provides the type of insurance you need, etc.

There are many companies that offer chauffeur driven saloon car rentals in Oman. This may be a good idea if you do not want to worry about traffic rules and directions. This service is ideal for businessmen as well as vacationers that have concerns about driving in a foreign country.