17 of the best places to spend Christmas 2022 

6. Muscat, Oman

Hop on an overnight flight after Christmas lunch, and wake up seven hours later in Muscat. Then get straight to the beach — it’s only 15 minutes from the airport. The Chedi, with its kids’ menu and family pool suit small children. Got older kids? Head for Six Senses Zighy Bay, hidden behind the Al Hajar Mountains on the sandy south coast, five hour’s drive from Muscat. It’s a chic bet for grown-up families who want to go hiking or snorkeling or flop in the spa, before getting dressed up for a swish dinner.

Beyond beaches, you can take a traditional dhow boat trip from Marina Bandar al Rowhda so the little ones can enjoy goggling at rare marine life, and you’re within a cab ride of Muscat. Absorb the Bedouin vibes of the Arabian desert with teens; try stargazing and camel-riding at the Wahiba Sands, and the turquoise-hued Wadi Bani Khalid oasis makes for engaging TikTok content. Hire a local driver (about £100 through your hotel) and day-trip around Muscat to explore its frankincense-scented Mutrah Souq. Nearby, the call to prayer echoes around the minarets at the opulent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, open most days for visits.