Oman
Couples Holidays

Goodbye Dubai, arrivederci Abu Dhabi, there is a new kid in town. But Oman is no spring chicken. In fact it may be the closest thing to the traditional notion of ‘Arabia’. But thanks to its larger-than-life neighbours in the United Arab Emirates, the country has remained relatively untouched by mass tourism – which is exactly why we think you should go. Rent a car and join Highway 17 for a road trip of a lifetime from Muscat to Ras Al Hadd, where the Gulf of Oman meets the Arabian Sea. Stop by small fishing villages for fresh grouper, mackerel and yellowfin tuna and learn a lesson or two from expert dhow-builders in Sur.

If Oman couples holidays mean getting back to nature and each other, you couldn’t have picked a better place. Apart from its amble wadis (ravines) that abound with emerald waters, spectacular rock formations and lush vegetation – perfect for swimming – there are beaches, sinkholes, canyons and desert. There’s even a 9,872ft mountain, Jebel Shams, you can climb if you’ve got a case of restless legs. Even if you don’t, the three-mile balcony walk that skirts round the canyon rim will have more than enough scenic shots for your camera roll (and Instagram followers). No Oman couples holiday is complete, however, without a souvenir. Head to Nizwa Souq for a masterclass in haggling down the price of silver khanjars (traditional curved dagger) and pots (much the safer option). Or, have your own Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore Ghost moment at a pottery workshop, which can often be found tucked away in the backstreets of Bahla’s bazaar district.

We don’t blame you if you just want to relax on a beach either. After all, holidays are about escaping the everyday and slowing down (most of the time). Fortunately, Oman excels in beaches. At Ras Al Jinz, you’ll have golden sand, sparkling surf and nesting turtles. In Al Mughsail, it’s all about rugged cliffs, secluded caves and blowholes that just add drama, while in Mirbat, the waves become the main event. Nutrient rich, they are perfect for surfing and diving – home to more than twenty dive sites, shipwrecks and coral reefs – and for walking along, admiring the dramatic coastline as you go.