Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
Good time to visit southern Arabia with light rains turning the desert hills green.
»
The
khareef
(rainy season) festival in southern Oman attracts many Gulf visitors leading to higher acom-
modation prices.
Low Season
(Apr-Jul)
»
Extreme heat and high humidity make this a season to avoid in most parts of Arabia.
»
Big discounts often available for accommodation.
»
Best time to visit mountain areas.
Websites
Al-Bab
(
www.al-bab.com
) Meaning 'The Gate', this is a gateway to the Arab world with links to dozens of news ser-
vices, country profiles, travel sites and maps.
Al-Jazeera
(
www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast
) The controversial satellite service runs this popular news-and-views-
oriented website.
Arabnet
(
www.arabnet.me
)
Useful Saudi-run online encyclopaedia of the Arab world, collecting news and articles, and
links to further resources, organised by country.
@llo Expat Middle East
(
www.middleeast.alloexpat.com
) An information service with networking opportunities ex-
clusively for expats.
Lonely Planet
(
www.lonelyplanet.com/middle-east
) For succinct summaries on travelling to the Peninsula, combined
with travel news and 'postcards' from other travellers. The Thorn Tree forum allows you to ask questions before you go
or dispense advice when you get back.
Staying Connected
Staying connected in the Peninsula is easy. All countries have International Direct Dialling (IDD) facilities via satellite
links. Mobile phones are easy to buy and local SIM cards are widely available in all cities and most airports across the
region. Roaming charges apply for non-local SIM cards and it is worth checking the rates before travelling. Internet ac-
cess is generally offered free in most midrange hotels and free wi-fi is becoming the norm in many coffeeshops and ho-
tels. Unless you are off-road in the desert or camping in the mountains, use of all connectivity devices (smartphones,
tablets and so forth) is virtually guaranteed.
Exchange Rates
US$1
UK£1
€1
Bahrain (BD)
0.38
0.59
0.48
Kuwait (KD)
0.28
0.44
0.38
Oman (OR)
0.39
0.58
0.49
