Muscat is a charming city surrounded by stoney outcrops and beautiful beaches of the Arabian Sea. There are half a million inhabitants who although show great tolerance towards Western customs they still retain strict mores concerning their own. It is a traditional city, the men all in their floor length dishdashas and the women hidden behind their black veils.

Muscat's foundations date from the first century yet it didn't gain recognition until the fourteenth and fifteenth century when traders were attracted. The sixteenth century brought the Portuguese who developed Muscat as their principle naval base. Until 1970 Muscat would lock its gates at night and citizens weren't allowed out, even with a torch. Since then it has blossomed through oil money and businesses are spouting throughout the country.

Today the city is full of bustling souks selling piles of colourful cashmere shawls and antique silver jewellery. Saultan Quaboos has transformed the country and his greatest contribution being the Muscat's astonishing 5 towered Grand Mosque built in 1995 with his own money. Inside is the worlds largest chandelier made in Italy and the worlds largest hand knotted carpet which took 600 Iranians 4 years to make.