Oman (Bradt Travel Guides)

Another useful travel guide from Bradt. This is my second Bradt Guide and they are are the best travel guides I have read. The people who write them are experts on the area and give precise information and do not seem to fill the books with generalized guff that doesn't help you select where to travel and how get around. I bought this book to help decide upon if to Oman for a vacation and where to stay and what to do. In the book the hotel guide sounds like Tony Walsh/Diana Darke the authors actually seem to know them all quite well and give you some detailed descriptions (good and bad points) about them. My only criticism is that the main concern about their location seems how far the hotels are from the airport and they give the distance for each hotel in a different single measure such as actual distance in kilometres, drive time and sometimes not a clue, however you can, with diligence, work out where it is from the surrounding text and maps. At first glance, the maps, nearly all small black and white line diagrams, look a bit casual and they certainly are not designed to navigate you around the streets but for identifying where places are and how far away from other places, they are excellent. Each map has a scale on it. The history of the country, which was very difficult to visit as a tourist until the 1990s, is very well described and gives you a good feel of the recent difficulties the country has had to overcome to be a modern outward looking state. The descriptions of the places of interest is much better than in most guides, again the authors know these places. General travel information, Electrical, weather, currency is well covered in brief paragraphs. The photographs are good but crammed in two small sections rather than illustrating the text to which they may relate. Overall the book seems to cover more detail than the better known ones in less space. The

This is a good guide of a fast changing destination. The layout is unusual in that it kind of follows a path from each area to the next, meaning at times you need to keep referring back to see where exactly the attraction mentioned is (ie. if you are coming from the other direction it can be hard to work out). Add to this that we twice found ourselves on roads that didn't even exist on google maps yet and that there appear to be no maps available locally and you do need to read carefully. But this is by far the most up to date guide and careful reading took us to some deserted and beautiful beaches. (via another new road!). Read it before you go, but it will make more sense when you have been there a few days.

Used it extensively over Christmas. First time back in Oman for 25+ years so somethings have changed alot. Descriptions on navigation and locations are quite good, but I would also recommend also getting the "maps.me" phone app as a useful adjunct to the guide. We were interested in archaeological sites, which can be very difficult to find due to the almost non-existent local signage. Overall an excellent guide to a lovely country.

I found this Guide very useful on my Two Holidays to Oman this year. The Guide was well up to date for visiting Muscat, especially Museums and Restaurants. Salalah it was totally invaluable to me, it Sadly omitted my Hotel, The Inter City in Central Salalah...(it opened in June 2016) The Restaurants it mentioned were all First class especially The Baalbeck Lebanese Restaurant... Oh yes !! When you exit Salalah Airport, turn right towards a glass office where you can arrange and pay for your Taxi to your Hotel.

Excellent - Oman is growing so quickly as a destination that some information out of date already! When is next edition due out?

It can be difficult to choose travel guides when there are so many different brands but previous reviews helped me choose this one. Very happy with it and has helped to plan a future trip! Full of good tips and information.

Reading avidly! Full of useful, practical information and thoughtful observations.

Concise, yet with full of interesting points about history, religion, culture, ... Very good reverse índex.

Better than the average Lonely Planet-league, it would get from me a higher rate if the book structure were a bit better organized. Why are all pictures grouped together? Pictures are supposed to help the traveller to understand at first glance whether a place along the way deserves the deviation or not. Another remark is about an excess of "enthousiasm" for certain spots that actually are not that great...Never raise the expectations too much, disappointment might be bitter. Also, certain travelling times are a bit too optimistic. However, all-in-all it can be called a fairly decent guidebook, with historical details that make the traveller appreciate the country's landmarks more sensibly.

Très utile pour préparer un voyage. Clair et complet, avec une gamme étendue d'informations pour des voyageurs de toutes catégories économiques.