Was in Oman for a few weeks a couple of years ago. Very interesting and beautiful country. Rented a car and puttered around the countryside. Visited Muscat and the surrounding areas and Salalah and the surroundings. Very definitely a different experience from Dubai, but there are a lot of places in the UAE that aren't Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Go up to RAK and you will see a different side to the UAE. In any event, I felt safe in Oman, the food was decent and the prices were decent. Rental car was expensive (unlike the UAE) because they limit you to about 60 miles/100 kilometers before the per mile charges start clicking away. I don't recall the amount, but I do recall they were very expensive. Maybe 50 cents a kilometer. If you go, have fun. Oman Air is safe, though MCT is a bit of a pain in the neck. The country is larger than one may imagine, so it's a good way to get from A to B while avoiding some driving. If it matters, I was a solo traveler, albeit a male traveler. The country is more traditional than some, but women were out and about and I did not see any stares, etc. Then again, I probably wouldn't have noticed.
