Oman is a land of rich history and fascinating culture.

The relics of one thousand forts and watchtowers stand as sentinels over Oman's now peaceful landscape. While many have been left in ruins, a great number have been beautifully restored to their former glory and are open for visitors to explore. Take Nizwa Fort, for instance - perhaps Oman's most famous heritage landmark. Surrounded by the equally alluring Nizwa Souk, this impressive monument to Omani architecture features mazes of passageways linking rooms of museum displays beneath its grand central tower.

Venturing further back into history, sites such as Ubar - thought by many to be the famed Atlantis of the Sands - beckon visitors with their echoes of an ancient way of life.

Of course, modern Omani culture still carries many of the traditions of bygone eras. It remained effectively undeveloped until 1970, when His Majesty Sultan Qaboos ascended to the throne and began the Blessed Rennaissance. Oman is often referred to as the 'true Arabia' because its ancient culture has been so beautifully preserved. Here, you'll still find souks selling silver and frankincense, cattle and pottery, in the same way as has been customary for several thousand years.

The Omani people themselves also have a well-deserved reputation for being amongst the world's most hospitable. Their smiling faces testify to their eagerness to share their unique culture with visitors, and most travellers to Oman will have at least one story of remarkable local hospitality.

It is this warm, peaceful culture that has created a society that consistently ranks Oman within the top 25 most peaceful countries in the world (according to the Global Peace Index).