Travel to Oman

With flights becoming readily available to this new destination, you can fly to Oman in around eight hours from the UK. Oman Air has regular direct flights from London Heathrow but you can also fly indirectly from most major UK airports with airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa. Indirect flights work out cheaper, but there's often not much difference in price.

You will start your holiday in Oman by arriving at Muscat International Airport, Salalah Airport or Khasab Airport. Taxis are readily available from just outside the arrivals hall of all three airports. It is advised that you agree the price of the journey with your driver before you start your journey to avoid any unnecessary disagreements.

Hotels in Oman, and especially hotels in Muscat, book up really quickly, so you will need to ensure you book your hotel well in advance. You will also find that five-star hotels outnumber budget ones and you may only be able to find a cheap hotel if you're prepared to stay in a busy or noisy area.

Not only will your holiday in Oman be filled with the sight of beautiful beaches, historic forts and the delight of swimming with dolphins, but it also is worth visiting the historic forts, rolling mountains and miles of desert. If you are thinking of trying to fit in as much sightseeing as possible rather than lazing on the beach, it's best to hire a car. A word of warning though, make sure you hire a 4x4 as the country has been known to suffer from flash floods and you'll need a vehicle that can weather the storm. Compare car hire prices and book in advance to ensure you get the best deal.

The best places to go for cheap affordable bites is cafes and coffee shops. They will serve kebabs as well as falafels and hummus. However, if you want to splash out, you will find a number of family run restaurants that offer local fish dishes and rich stews.

• Muscat