10. Stunning fjords

Known as the Norway of the Middle East, the Musandam Peninsula is a photogenic spot with sheer walls of sawtooth cliffs that plunge down into aquamarine waters. Dolphins frolic in the fjord-like khors, so take a tour aboard a wooden dhow boat. Several companies offer full-day trips heading to Khor Ash Sham, the longest and most dramatic of all the inlets stretching for some 10 miles. Telegraph Island, once home to a 19th-century British telegraph station, is a favourite spot to dock for lunch; you can step aboard the tiny island at high tide, but have to swim when the tide is low. For the postcard-perfect image of Musandam, opt for a 4WD tour to Khor Al Najd. Combine a visit to Jebel Al Harim, the highest peak in the region, for the classic Khor Al Najd view that is often used in tourism campaigns.

Dolphin Khasab Tours (00968 995 666 72; dolphinkhasabtours.com) has a half-day mountain safari tour from £130 for up to four people.