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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.
There are two major kinds of visitors; businessmen and tourists. A country like Oman is no exception. The Sultanate is widespread and explorers need at least about a month to visit every major port, soak in the Omani culture and see everything there is to see. Even most businessmen who visit here plan a twenty to thirty days trip, so that it’s not all work and no play. Most people enter the country through its Capital, Muscat. Having the busiest International airport in the nation, Muscat is a modern day city with every leisure or technological amenity needed by a world traveler. With comfort and convenience being a chief priority for most travelers today, a majority of visitors prefer hiring a car for the period of their stay in Oman. For visitors, who plan to stay for more than twenty days a monthly car rental in Muscat is the best option.
The Capital city of Muscat boasts of a large number of international as well as local car rental service provider companies. While most local companies can be reached only by phone or personally, almost all the international car hire providers have their official company websites online. The websites are comprehensive and provide all the necessary details and information about the cars available for rent, other services provided by the company, their policies, special deals, discount offers, extras, insurance details, payment options, and so on. Booking your car rental through the Internet is gaining due popularity because of a few obvious reasons. Firstly, you can book the car of your choice from the comforts of your home or office. Secondly, you can make the booking anytime of day or night, and well in advance if needed. Thirdly, you can avail special online discount offers that can get you a better deal than expected.
Car rental companies have a huge stretch of cars. These range from the economical hatchbacks to the ultra-luxurious limousines. All the cars are well-maintained and many companies provide on-road assistance in case of any mishaps. For foreigners who are visiting Oman for the first time, it may be wise to rent a car through a company that provides the option of a chauffeur. Chauffeur driven cars are ideal for enjoying a holiday without worrying about the road, directions, maps, getting lost, etc. Plus, for lone travelers, the company of an Omani can be a joy in itself, especially if you need a monthly car rental in Muscat. You may even make a friend for life. After all, he will be driving you around this beautiful country the whole time, sharing life experiences on the road, giving you a clearer idea of being a citizen of this mystic land, etc.
There are many car hire companies in Muscat that can be contacted well-before your next stay to this Capital city. Since Oman is such a widespread country, renting a car to move around the Sultanate may be one of the best and most preferred modes of transportation for any visitors. There are many reasons for this and realizing the points listed below, more and more businessmen, tourists and visitors are shifting to this widely available option.
First of all, the most number of car rental service providing companies are based in Muscat, as a majority of the people coming into the country enter through the Capital by air, water or road. Many car rental companies have their presence at the Muscat International airport itself to make your task of hiring the vehicle quick and easy. All you have to do is choose the car you desire to drive, make the payment, and head to your hotel, and your rental car will be delivered to your place of accommodation within a few hours. Secondly, if you decide to rent a car in some small town of Oman you are more likely to find only local companies, the capital has many options for International as well as national car rentals.
Muscat is a beautiful location to start your journey of exploration as it is a well-developed business and tourist hub, which is rich in heritage as well as culture. It is a part of Oman that cannot be missed, if you want to soak in the true flavours of this country. Getting around this city can be a hassle at odds hours of the day or night. Having your own vehicle can save you time and stress on your holiday. After all, the main purpose of taking a vacation is enjoying and having a little leisure time.
A large number of car rental companies have their official websites these days, so that a traveler can book the vehicle of his choice well in advance and make the payment online in a safe and secure manner. Most websites are comprehensive and provide all the information needed to make an informed decision. It is also likely that you get an online discount on the booking, saving you some money.
Companies that provide car hire services in Muscat have fleets of cars in various makes and models. The benefit of renting a car when on holiday is that you can actually rent a car that you have always wanted to drive or own. It’s almost like owning a car just for those many days. What else can one ask for? Go ahead and book that 4x4 you can never imagine buying with the kind of executive business lifestyle you lead back home.
Muscat is one of the most developed cities in Oman and boasts of having all the amenities and services needed for all classes of international travelers. It is a pleasure to see this Capital of Oman for its splendid beaches, exquisite mosques, forts, souqs, and museums that make this city hang on to its traditional charm and beauty, but not all travelers come to Oman for a holiday. Muscat is also the Sultanate’s commercial capital, and houses corporate companies such as General Motors, Seiko, Subaru, Toshiba, etc. It is also the leading region for companies related to the export sector and houses petroleum, fisheries and dates exporters. In view of this fact, there are a large number of businessmen and corporate employees that come to Oman for long periods, but not permanently. These employees and the large corporations and other companies that employ them turn to options like leasing of cars in Muscat rather than investing in a vehicle.
A majority of the leading car rental companies in the country lease cars to companies and individuals at surprisingly attractively rates. This is because the car rental market is developed in the country and prices are thus pretty competitive. These companies also provide additional services to make this the best choice for such requirements. Corporate companies prefer leasing cars for the obvious cost benefit it provides. Buying a number of cars for the employees or other company needs can turn out to be quite a liability and certain loss in the long run. On the other hand leased cars are offered at good prices, while giving the customer a marked advantage of not having to worry about maintenance or resale.
A undoubted advantage to corporate companies that go in for leased vehicles is that they can choose the number of years they want to contract, they can choose the models and types of cars they require for their desired purpose of use; and by doing this wisely they can get what they want and increase the productivity or smooth-working of the company without pooling in too much money or hurting the cash flow of the organization. Since the rent of the leased car depends greatly on the type and model of the vehicle, a smart choice in such regards can end up saving the company a handsome amount in the years to come.
Another benefit of getting what you want through one of the companies that is well-known in the market for leasing of cars in Muscat is the tax refund an employee gets if the hired car is used for business purposes. Commuting is a major part of living in today’s business world. Employees and executives have to showcase an image that appeals to their clientele and goes well with their status. With fleets of cars at their disposal, car rental companies are able to offer companies the exact cars they wish for.
Nothing can be more tiring than waiting around for a bus to arrive in the scorching Oman heat, or trying to wave down a taxi in the winding streets. Well, a majority of visitors and business travelers who travel to the Sultanate these days avoid such situations by opting to rent a car in Muscat. The world we live in today is literally shrinking, thanks to resources like the Internet. Travel and tourism has become easy and hassle-free and so are processes and things like getting in touch with car rentals, booking accommodation at hotels, making appointments at spas, etc., that make such widespread travel enjoyable.
If you are looking to book a rental car for your next trip to the beauty that is Oman, all you have to do is search out the best deal on car hire on the Internet. While there are more than plenty of car rental companies in the country, you can count on the exceptional services provided by most international companies present in the Capital of Muscat. Moreover, a self driven or chauffeur driven car provides a great deal of comfort as compared to any public mode of transport. Plus, contrary to popular belief such cars are not all that expensive. You can stick to your budget if you go about it intelligently. First of all it is vital to remember that Oman is situated in the Middle East, and just as most Middle Eastern countries, Oman too has extremely cheap fuel.
Another way to save money and still drive around the country in luxury is by making sure that you have picked the perfect car for your decided itinerary. For example, there is no point in renting a Mitsubishi Lancer or Nissan Altima if you want to drive off-road or indulge in desert safaris. Booking such sedans or 4x4 SUVs for just a lone traveler is also somewhat of a waste. If you want your travel to be comfortable but not cost too much and you are going to be alone or just two or three people, consider hiring a hatchback such as a Skoda Fabia or a Peugeot 206. Compact and mid-size vehicles are ideal for one to three travelers, while bigger groups or families prefer SUVs and MPVs. On the other hand the inflow of businessmen and professionals that come to Muscat for work or business meetings are known to hire executive cars that exude luxury.
So when you rent a car in Muscat, make sure you choose the vehicle that suits your purpose of travel and your itinerary perfectly. This may enhance your joy of visiting different parts of Oman to a great extent. Plus, most car rental companies offer awesome services and prices for weekly or monthly rentals that you can take advantage of.
The government of Oman has taken special measures to improve the investment sector for local as well as foreign investors in the past few years. These measures have opened new doors of opportunities for businesses in the Sultanate, making the capital city of Muscat shine in the spotlight. Muscat boasts of corporate giants like Subaru, Toshiba, Seiko, and general Motors in addition to the export sector of petroleum, fisheries, and dates. Hence it is no surprise that hundreds of business travelers visit or move in to the capital for a set period of time every month, making car lease in Muscat a thriving industry.
Almost all corporate companies swear by leasing a car as opposed to purchasing for its cost benefit and hassle free maintenance. Corporate tie-ups with car leasing companies are a norm and have a few advantages. Listed below are the three main benefits of car lease.
• The company can hire the car for a set number of years. This reduces the dent in cash flow for the company as well as for the employee since the payments are smaller in amount as monthly rental. This rent is based on the type and cost of the car leased and includes some other maintenance costs.
• Most leasing companies have tie-ups with good garage and maintenance services and these benefits are passed on to the customer. Some car lease companies also provide break down assistance that can be taken advantage of in a foreign land.
Regardless of the size of the company, every employer is concerned about business transportation for his employees, and sets a particular budget aside for this purpose. For corporate companies and even smaller privately owned set-ups, car lease is extremely handy. Buying five cars and maintaining them can be difficult, while in a car lease scenario the company can maintain a perfect balance sheet and keep the employee happy at the same time.
Car lease in Muscat is the easiest way of hassle free travel. Companies have fleets of well-maintained cars of different sizes and brands to choose from. And even though the monthly cost of a good branded car may be a little more than others, you can travel in style without pooling in the whole amount for purchase. This not only takes care of your budget in a new city, but also helps you plan your finances accordingly as your know the exact amount spent monthly on the car.
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