Marhaba! About a nine-hour flight from Amsterdam, travelers in the Sultanate of Oman are immersed in a world of 1,001 Nights: the country on the Indian Ocean once played a key role in the development of the sea routes and in trade between Asia, East Africa and Europe. Today, the rich cultural heritage is complemented by modern, sustainable developments. More than 5,000 years of history, five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many cultural attractions await visitors such as the impressive Royal Opera House or the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the capital Muscat.

Oman also offers a variety of natural highlights: the more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline has dream beaches for various water sports, dramatic cliffs and striking vantage points for spotting marine life such as dolphins, whales and sea turtles. The interior is crossed by the huge Hajar Mountains: Jabal Shams is the highest mountain in the Arabian Peninsula at 3,075 meters; Jabal Akhdar, on the other hand, enchants with its hanging gardens. Lush oases, hidden wadis and meter high sand dunes invite to outdoor activities such as climbing and hiking. Diverse spices and flavors form the basis of the country’s varied cuisine.