Muscat.

Just under an hour’s flight from Dubai (Emirates Airlines / emirates.com) is fabulous Muscat. All the stylish kitties make a beeline straight for The Chedi / +968 24 524 400 / ghmhotels.com / to stay and play, don’t miss the excellent spa or the Arab/Med and Indian fare at The Restaurant. For retail, head to the Old Mutrah Souk to bag ornate silver, as well as the country’s most famous commodity, frankincense. Or, if you fancy a wander, The Old Port area is prettiest with its ancient city walls, Sultan’s Palace and harbour (long skirts or trousers are advised in public). Activity wise, Muscat Diving & Adventure Center / +968 24 543 002 / holiday-in-oman.com / can arrange abseiling, caving, dolphin watching, game fishing, scuba and more. Take in a world-class performance at the stunning Royal Opera House Muscat / Al Kharjiyah St / +968 24 403 300 / roh muscat.org.om, or head to Shangri-la’s huge Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa / +968 24 776 666 / shangri-la.com / for the Piano Lounge with live jazz and sundowners, or mouth-watering seafood on the beachfront at Bait Al Bahr. Oh-Man.