The rich history of ancient Arabia combines with gleaming modern comforts.
The rich history of ancient Arabia combines with gleaming modern comforts to create a destination of unparalleled appeal - with miles of wide sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters. Mosques vie with skyscrapers, dhows ply the shoreline alongside luxury yachts and camel racing remains as popular as four wheel drive desert safaris. In Oman our featured beach hotels are close to the ultra modern shopping metropolis of Muscat, a perfect base from which to explore the country's archaic forts and walled cities, or in Musandam to the north of the Sultanate.
Batinah Coast - Oman's northern coast where most of the towns feature stunning forts, each different enough to warrant seeing. 108miles west of Muscat, Rustag is best known for its imposing fort. Barka, just west of Muscat, has a fort and a restored house showing how wealthier Omanis lived many years ago. Inland, the town of Nakhal , with its dramatic fort, leads to the lush spring known as A'Thorwarah, which emerges into a wadi here to form a stream and small oasis - perfect for a picnic. Muscat - Oman's capital enchants visitors in a way that no other city in the Gulf can even begin to match. Maybe it's because Muscat doesn't have that slightly artificial feel which typifies so much of the rest of the region. Muscat, Mutrah and Ruwi are the capital's core districts. Jabrin Castle - Rising without competition from the surrounding plain, Jabrin Castle is an impressive sight. Even if you have had a surfeit of fortifications, make the effort to climb one more keep as Jabrin is one of the best preserved and whimsical of them all. Head for the flagpole for a bird's-eye view of the latticed-window courtyard at the heart of the keep. Wadi Shab - This wadi is arguably one of the most scenic destinations in Oman. Beyond the breathtaking entrance, the wadi rewards you with views of aquamarine pools, waterfalls and terraced plantations; kingfishers add glorious splashes of colour. For the adventurous, there are plenty of opportunities for (discreet) swimming and a visit to a partially submerged cave.
A symbol of Omani hospitality throughout the country are the ubiquitous dates, served with khawa, or Omani coffee. Khawa is prepared from freshly roasted ground coffee mixed with cardamom powder. Rice is used widely and is served in a variety of ways, from steamed to elaborate concoctions bursting with meat and vegetables. Breads range from the plain to those flavoured with dates, sesame, thyme and garlic. For desert, Omani halwa, or sweatmeat, is a traditional favourite.
CLIMATE High temperatures throughout the year. Cooler and more pleasant between October and March. Minimal rainfall TIME DIFFERENCE GMT +4 hours CURRENCY Omani Rial FLYING TIME Approx 8 hours non-stop
CHRISTMAS OFFER - SAVE £2835 per family - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Stay 7 nights, pay for 5 from £9650 per family of three including breakfast, complimentary accommodation for children and complimentary full board for children. Valid 01 Oct 09 - 10 Jan 10. Free nights offer valid 01 Oct - 20 Dec 09.
Stay 6 nights, pay for 5 - Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
Stay 6 nights, pay for 5, including breakfast.
Valid 08/01/09 - 13/02/09, 23/02/09 - 23/04/09, 20/04/09 - 21/10/09 & 02/11/09 - 25/12/09.
Book 90 days prior to arrival.
Stay 5 nights, pay for 4 - Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental
Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental, Oman
Stay 5 nights, pay for 4. Stay 7 nights, pay for 5. Stay 10 nights, pay for 7 all including breakfast.
Valid 01/06/09-31/08/09.
Stay 7 nights, pay for 6 - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Stay 7 nights, pay for 6 including breakfast.
Valid 11/05/09-31/05/09 & 01/08/09-20/09/09.
Stay 7 nights, pay for 5. Stay 14 nights, pay for 10 including breakfast.
Valid 01/06/09-31/07/09.
Stay 7 nights, pay for 4 with complimentary half board - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Stay 3 nights, pay for 2, stay 5 nights, pay for 3 or stay 7 nights, pay for 4. Including complimentary upgrade to half board.
Valid 11/01/09 - 04/04/09 & 13/04/09 - 30/06/09
Stay 4 nights pay for 3 - Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
Stay 4 nights pay for 3, Stay 6 nights pay for 4 or Stay 8 nights pay for 5 including breakfast.
Valid 18/04/09-25/12/09. Except Al Bandar - not valid between 18/05/09-21/05/09.
Family Offer - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Two children up to 12 yrs stay free on Full Board basis when sharing with parents in a Pool Villa Suite. Valid 01/10/09-10/01/10. Combinable with free nights valid 01/10/09-19/12/09.
Exclusive Offer - Save £810pp - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
7 nights from £2195pp including breakfast, complimentary lunch, room upgrade and late check-out. Valid until 20 Dec 10. Book by 31 May 10.
Stay 4 nights, pay for 3 - Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental
Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental, Oman
Stay 4 nights, pay for 3 or stay 7 nights, pay for 5 including breakfast. Complimentary early check in from 0800hrs and late check out until 2000hrs is also included. Valid until 01/05/10-30/09/10.
Family Offer - Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental
Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental, Oman
Book a room for parents at full rate and receive a 2nd room for up to 2 children under 12 years at 50% discount. Valid 01/05/10-30/09/10.
Stay 7 nights, pay for 5 - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Summer Slow Life at Zighy Bay - Stay 7 nights, pay for 5 or stay 14 nights, pay for 10 on same meal plan as booked nights. Guests will also receive complimentary choice of arrival experience (paraglide or speedboat), sunset cruise, free Arabic cooking class (lunch), 1 singature spa treatment & a 5 hour group dhow cruise.
Valid 10/04/10-15/09/10.
Stay 4 nights, pay for 3 - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Stay 4 nights, pay for 3 or stay 8 nights, pay for 6 on same meal plan as paid nights. Plus book breakfast and receive complimentary lunch or book half board and receive complimentary full board.
Valid 10/04/10-15/09/10.
Stay 7 nights, pay for 6 - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Stay 7 nights, pay for 6 or stay 14 nights, pay for 12 or stay 21 nights, pay for 18 on same meal plan as booked nights.
Valid 01/12/10-20/12/10.
Early booking offer - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Book 45 days prior to arrival and receive £140 per villa per stay resort credit towards Food, beverages & spa treatments.
May be combinable with other offers.
Valid for travel until 20/12/10.
Family offer - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Children under 12 years stay and eat free when accompanied by 2 paying adults, sharing the same room.
Valid 10/04/10-31/08/10.
Discounted rates for christmas - Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay
Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman
Book by 30 Jun 10 and receive 50% discount on accommodation for travel between 01/12/10-26/12/10.
Restrictions apply.
Stay 5 nights, pay for 4 - Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
Stay 5 nights, pay for 4 or stay 7 nights, pay for 5 including breakfast.
Valid 08/01/10-30/04/10 & 01/09/10-25/12/10 (Al Waha & Al Bandar only). Book by 25 Apr 10.
Stay 4 nights, pay for 3 - Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
Stay 4 nights, pay for 3 or stay 6 nights, pay for 4 including breakfast.
Valid 01/05/10-31/08/10.
Free nights 2 for 1 - Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
Stay 2 nights, pay for 1 or stay 4 nights, pay for 2 or stay 6 nights, pay for 3 including breakfast. Guests will also receive 20% discount on food, beverage & spa treatments.
Valid 01/05/10-30/09/10. Book by 28/09/10.
Family offer - Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
Up to 2 children under 12 years stay and eat free when accompanied by 2 paying adults, sharing the same room.
Stay minimum 6 nights and receive complimentary kids amenities upon arrival, upgrade to the next room category upon check-in, 2 hours in the adevnture zone for 1 child per room, 3 hours baby sitting per day and a complimentary dolphin trip 1 child for 1 paying parent.
Valid 01/05/10-30/09/10.
Stay 5 nights, pay for 4 - The Chedi
The Chedi, Oman
Stay 5 nights, pay for 4 including breakfast. Valid 15/04/10/-30/09/10.
Family Offer - 2nd Room at Half Price - The Chedi
The Chedi, Oman
When parents book a room, receive a 2nd room at half price for children aged 2-12 years. Valid 15/04/10-30/09/10.
Oman Air- Now Is The Time - Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
Take advantage of reduced nightly rates and 20% discount from food, beverage and spa treatments only inconjunction with Oman Air.
In addition children under 12 years of age stay free when sharing with parents and receive complimentary buffet meals when dining with parents, maxiumum 2 children. Valid 12/04/10-30/09/10. Contact Reservations Department for more information.
Oman Air- Now Is The Time - The Chedi
The Chedi, Oman
Take advantage of nightly reduced rates inconjunction with Oman Air. Valid 12/04/10-30/09/10. Contact Reservations Department for more information.
Stay 5 nights, pay for 4 - Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa
Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman
Stay 5 nights, pay for 4 or Stay 7 nights, pay for 5. Valid 01/10/10-22/10/10. Book by 30/09/10.