Al Nahda Resort and Spa

8 days London to London

Set in 30 acres of botanical gardens, the enchanting 5-star Al Nahda Resort and Spa is as restful as it is scenic. With 109 sumptuous studio rooms, single and two-bedroom villas all with private terrace or balcony, the resort features lush gardens, soothing swimming pools, invigorating steam tunnel and uber-cool spas offering a delicious combination of soothing and stimulating treats and therapies. Fitness addicts have a state-of-the-art gym, floodlit tennis courts and sand volleyball court. Diners are spoilt for choice with four world-class restaurants, a pool bar and a chill-out lounge bar.

Oman is an undiscovered dive paradise with a huge variety of world-class dive sites and Al Nahda has partnered with Oman's premier dive company - Global Scuba Centre - to offer diving in the Dimaniyat Islands nature reserve. The nine, tiny uninhabited Dimaniyat islands lie about 18 kilometres off the Batinah Coast and are the jewel in the crown for diving in the Gulf of Oman. The diving here is spectacular with walls, drop offs, submerged reefs, swim-throughs and caves. And with much of the sea life and coral close to the surface, the snorkelling is also rewarding. Coral reefs cover up to 70% of the dive sites with more than a hundred different species of soft and hard coral. Marine life is abundant with prolific numbers of colourful reef fish, Sting-Rays, occasional turtles, Leopard Sharks and on rare occasions the Whale Shark. Dive equipment is available to rent, PADI courses can be arranged and Nitrox is available.

The Dimaniyat Islands offer a safe stop off point for migratory birds and are home to sea eagles and the graceful osprey; the beaches and cliffs come alive in the summer months with nesting birds and turtles returning to lay their eggs on the white sand beaches.