1. A mix of adventure, culture and natural beauty
Oman, found on the Southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, is a place of immense natural beauty with a wealth of culture and adventure. From the sweeping dunes of the desert, mountainous landscapes, to beautiful coastlines, it seemingly has it all. Along with its striking landscapes, Oman offers breathtaking historical architecture and sleek modern buildings. Within these varied landscapes comes a wide range of activities for all the family - from wildlife watching to cultural discovery.
2. The sheer variety of activities on offer
There really is something for everyone in Oman. During your holiday, you enjoy a thrilling 4WD trip in the desert and sleep under the stars in a Bedouin camp. You can try sandboarding in the desert and go dolphin watching and snorkelling in the warm tropical sea, swim to hidden caves, and look for turtles at Sur Beach (seasonal). At Jebel Shams, you can do part of the famed Balcony Walk before taking a leisurely stroll through colourful Wadi Shaab. What’s not to like?
3. Off-the-beaten-track location
Oman is often overlooked for its neighbours; however, any visit to the country feels more exclusive. Packing just as much of a punch, you feel special to witness the country's hidden gems with fewer crowds than other tourism hotspots. A sense of authenticity that's often missing and that the vast majority of people won't experience. It allows you to connect with the destination, switch off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and broaden your family's minds.
4. Excellent weather in winter
With one of the world’s hottest and driest climates, Oman is warm all year round. Although it can get uncomfortably hot in summer with high humidity on the coast, winter - when daytime temperatures range between 25 and 30° C - is the best time to travel. Because of the climate, the sea is delightfully warm all year round and is perfect for swimming or snorkelling which can help cool you down, and it’s always a bit cooler in the mountains.
5. Warm traditional hospitality & great food
Arabic hospitality is legendary, and Oman is no exception - everywhere you go, you’ll be welcomed with a friendly, olde worlde civility that is missing from our rushed everyday life. You are treated as a treasured guest rather than just a visitor, which has a massive feel-good factor. And children are welcome nearly everywhere. The delicious food is mainly Arabic in style; however, there are influences from East Africa, Lebanon, Turkey and India. Due to the long coastline, fish and seafood are common; if you have a sweet tooth, halwa and dates are found everywhere.
6. Medium flying time & good flight connections
Numerous airlines serve Muscat International Airport, and as a destination, Oman lies somewhere between short haul and long haul - let’s call it medium haul. A direct flight from the UK is around seven hours in the air, and the time difference is only four hours (ahead of GMT). This means travelling is relatively easy, you arrive without feeling exhausted, and adjusting to local time is quick and easy. It also makes for an easier return to the UK.
Speak to our team of family holiday experts to start planning a trip to Oman that the whole family will enjoy.
