Oman is a popular year-round holiday destination and offers a beach holiday with a difference.

Oman’s fascinating culture, natural environment and ancient history makes for a varied break away. Laze on stretches of golden-sand beaches, join a whale and dolphin watching, witness nesting turtles and enjoy superb scuba diving and snorkelling. 

If you want spectacular surroundings and a vast expanse of space all to yourself, head to the desert at Wahiba. Camp out under stars and marvel at the perfectly-formed sand dunes before discovering an exotic oasis of sparkling pools and palm trees. 

Shopping-lovers can easily while away the hours in the vibrant, labyrinth of souks, where you will find a treasure-trove of gold, silver and pungent spices. You can also follow the frankincense trail from Salalah. These fragrant 'pearls of the desert are only harvested and sold in Oman and it was once more expensive than gold. The resin is a reminder of the ancient trade routes which connected the Arab world with the West.

Oman Essential Information:

Capital: Muscat
Places of interest: Jebel Shams, Sharqiya Region, Dibba
Time Zone: GMT +4
Language: Arabic. To learn the basics of Arabic visit www.bbc.co.uk 
Currency: Oman uses the rial (OMR). For up-to-date exchange rates see: www.xe.com/ucc
International dialling code: +968
British Embassy: visit the website for information