Oman

Holidays in Oman's relaxed capital, Muscat, provide the chance to visit museums crammed with priceless collections of silver and weaponry, spectacular contemporary palaces and the glistening Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, endowed with the world's largest hand-woven carpet. There are hilltop citadels like Mirani Fort to explore and cafés to linger in along Muttrah district's buzzing Corniche. Alternatively, flights to Oman can provide a lazy sojourn on the endless sandy beaches of Salalah. Those chasing solitude on Omani holidays can head inland to discover the mosque-filled city of Nizwa and the arid interior. In Khasab, daily dhow excursions follow mysterious Musandam's fjord-like coastline.

Visitors taking flights to Oman can enjoy spicy local cooking influenced by Oman's ancient trading ties to the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Every visitor should try thick, cardamom-flavoured kahwa (coffee) and sesame-infused halva sweets at least once before their return flight from Oman. KLM has frequent flights to Oman. Choose the date of your Oman flight to coincide with the music and dancing at January's Muscat Festival or join in Oman's holiday spirit during Eid-Al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan in August/September.