Oman Christmas Holidays

What to do on Oman Christmas holidays?

There are plenty of good reasons why we’d recommend Christmas in Oman, and the list of things to do is even longer. The capital, Muscat, is home to several of the finest beachfront hotels in the Middle East, each perfect for either families (the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah) or couples (the Chedi or the Al Bustan). It's perfectly possible to spend a relaxing winter week at any of the above, but that would be to miss out on Oman's serendipitous mix of landscapes and fun ways in which to explore it.

If you can tear yourself away from the beach, the dramatic Hajar Mountains behind Muscat are a must-visit, with a clutch of luxurious hotels boasting excellent views and facilities. Beyond the mountains, the intriguing city of Nizwa is Oman's ancient capital and well worth a visit, particularly as part of a longer road trip to include the Wahiba Sands, a wonderful sea of dunes where you can try you hand at desert driving, camel riding or just relax at a very comfortable desert camp.

Back in Muscat, the souq and Grand Mosque are worthy of exploration, and we can arrange dhow trips, dolphin watching boat rides or diving and snorkelling at the nearby Daymaniyat Islands. That would be a pretty unforgettable way to celebrate Christmas in Oman.

Further north, in the Omani exclave of Musandam, Zighy Bay is another excellent 5* hotel that is reached from Dubai Airport rather than Muscat, and which offers another excellent excuse to cancel Christmas (in the UK, at least) and enjoy some much needed winter sun.

One final thought - you'd be amazed how many months ahead the best hotels and flights get booked up for Oman Christmas holidays (and for New Year, for that matter), so we would strongly recommend planning WELL in advance.