WINTER WARMERS

From the Canaries to Florida, here is where to escape the winter chill.

- By LAUREN TAYLOR

DREADING the thought of the long, cold winter ahead?

If you're planning to chase the sun, these destinations offer pleasant winter temperatures, blue skies and equally blue seas.

On the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman blends diverse landscapes, pristine beaches, ancient forts, a rich culture and famous hospitality. Summer temperatures can be extreme so winter is a pleasant time to visit, with highs of around 26°C in December.

There's also plenty for adventurous travellers, with excellent diving, fishing and sailing opportunities, as well as mountain ranges - the Hajar Mountains are its most prominent - and the Wadi Ghul, known as 'Arabia's Grand Canyon'. You can tour Nizwa, the birthplace of Islam in Oman and visit Muscat, with centuries-old city walls in the old town, the spectacular Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and a 200-year-old souk.