Izki, Oman

Life in Izki, Oman is no picnic. The town of 35,173 people sits at a lofty 1,785 feet, and its ancient relics like 142 towers and three castles are more headache than heritage - the crumbling ruins and erosion are a persistent bureaucratic nightmare for residents. While the legendary status of Izki as Oman's "oldest city" has a certain charm, the reality is a town struggling with its past, where the twin walled towns of al-Nizar and al-Yemen have seen better days. This is not the place for the faint of heart - Izki is best left to those with a strong stomach for administrative hassles and a tolerance for living among the ruins of bygone eras.