This is not Petra. Nor Jordan. Nor Indiana Jones movie. Nor the Tomb Raider. Believe it or not, this is SAUDI ARABIA. Since this country starts opening up to tourism, it’s been revealing its hidden gems nobody knew about. And on top of them all stands magical Al Ula.

Not only is Saudi one of the safest place I’ve been, but it’s filled with vast, surreal landscapes, hospitality, culture and cultural heritage. I used to live there 6 years ago and before the corona pandemic took over I was able to come back for a while to explore this country better. I spent my time walking around town in abaya and with an open mind, learning Arabic, talking to locals, listening to the prayer calls, driving through the deserts, chilling and smoking shisha on mats and pillows, eating Arabic food with hands an falling in love with learning this very different but somehow fascinating way of life. 

Let’s go to Saudi

You should have seen these look I got whenever I said I was going for my vacation to Saudi Arabia. I could see in their eyes how were they trying to figure out whether I’m joking or I’m just crazy. I decided to visit Madain Saleh in Al Ula, place I’ve been fascinated about since I saw first picture. For a long time this place was hidden from public eyes. And officially is still not open yet until October 2020. But currently there’s Winter festival at Tantora and if you have tickets for some concert (btw. All happening in extraordinary Mirror Maraya Concert Hall in the middle of desert) you can have some sneak look at the historic sites, too. Tours, shows and dining experience are included in full package. 

I don’t have tickets. Last weekend there was Enrique Iglesias & Gipsy Kings but all tickets were sold out by the time I decided to go. And since it’s all open to tourists just recently, there was lot of confusion whether you can go on your own outside weekend’s festival. Well, you can’t, it’s open only from Thursday to Sunday during festival. Maraya is open for public only during Friday’s concert! And you can’t even get closer to see it at least from outside. But thanks to my luck or amazing kind hearted local people I met everywhere I have almost full experience! They even took a risk to break some rules to make me happy and satisfied! 

Saudi people

I don’t know why most of the people have confusing feelings about Saudi. It’s a big country, of course you can find all the types of people – good and bad. But Saudi I ever met (whether on board of aircraft or during my travels) were all so friendly and kind hearted! So maybe it’s not about country but about us. We just attract what we reflect. Be curious, not judgmental, be the bridge between two different cultures. And start planning your trip to Saudi and see it with your own eyes among first international tourists. As I can have a sneak peak before its official opening I can guide you around. From October Al Ula is going to be open all year round and there’s a looooot to see!

Covid-19 update

Big opening of Al Ula was planned for October 2020 but the pandemic has changed this plans. Borders of Saudi Arabia remained strictly closed for all the time of outbreak. Good news is that Saudi said its air, land and sea borders will be reopen on March 31, 2021. Citizens will be allowed to travel in and out of the kingdom. The ban on international flights will be completely lifted and travelers will not be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19. 

How to get tourist visa?

Since Saudi Arabia opened it’s borders to the world in September 2019, it has never been easier to apply for tourist visa. Visitors (even female) from 49 countries around the world can get online visa within few days for $80 USD fee including mandatory insurance. Online application which you can find on visa.visitsaudi.com takes only three simple steps. You only need to fill up some personal details from your valid passport and upload passport photo. I forwarded my application in November and received the e-mail with ready online visa within few minutes after. 

How to get to Al Ula?

By plane directly to Al Ula. There are a few domestic flights with Saudi Airlines every week either from international airport in Jeddah or Riyadh. I believe, after official opening of Al Ula there will be even more flight options. You can even go for economical low cost airlines like Fly Nas or Flydeal and save your money. Me and my Saudi boyfriend Abdullah, we are taking flight with Saudi Airlines and in two hour we are already landing at small cozy Al Ula airport. There is even Uber service in Al Ula so it’s easier to get to your resort from the airport. Or you can rent a car directly from the airport for more freedom. Prices are very affordable. We go for a rental car as on way back we want to drive across beautiful landscapes to Medina and from there we are taking flight back to Riyadh with low-cost Fly Nas. 

What can you expect in Al Ula?

Al Ula is now at the center of a project to raise awareness of the country’s ancient history, inspire national pride, and fuel tourism, all objectives of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s roadmap to a different future. In this remote corner of the kingdom, you will surprisingly find a lot to do. Whether it’s going on an adventure, fine dining or even trip to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site with millennia of archeological treasures and records of timeless traditions that continue to this day. I see firsthand that Al Ula is a place of awe-inspiring beauty, a landscape of cliffs and canyons featuring ancient petroglyphs and rock art. If feels like another planet. There’s no light pollution, so you can see pretty much every single star in the sky. There is no traffic, so the air is fresh, there are no skyscrapers, so your views are totally unobstructed.

Luxury experience

Don’t also worry about a tour bus or selfie stick in your sight. This place is very little touched by tourism yet and it’s not going to change a lot even after big opening. Saudi authorities want to preserve authenticity of the place which currently allows a plucky tourist an almost exclusive experience. Sites and resorts around have higher rates which helps the place to avoid masses of tourists. “This will be a luxury, premium destination,” Amr Al Madani, chief executive for the Royal Commission for Al Ula, tells The National. “We want people who have been around the world and are looking for something they haven’t seen.”

Madain Saleh – 8th Wonder of the Word?

Located 300 kilometers north of Medina, Al Ula was historically located on the Incense route and was an important trading hub for the ancient Lihyanites. These days, it’s scattered with ancient ruins, several-thousand-year-old tombs, date farms and an incredible landscape akin to Wadi Rum in Jordan. The number-one site to check out is undoubtedly the Unesco-listed southernmost settlement of the Nabatean kingdom, also known as Hegra (name in ancient language). It doesn’t even seem real when you’re there… It’s like no other place in the world. Madain Saleh (or Hegra) was the kingdom’s second city in importance after Petra in Jordan, and shares the same rock-carved architecture. Though smaller in scale, Madain Saleh is striking in its location; whereas Petra is located deep into the Siq, a maze of cavernous rocky alleys, Madain Saleh is carved into large rocky outcrops strewn throughout a sparse desert. The tombs are currently open to be wandered into. 

Tomb of Lihyan son of Kuza

A large tomb carved into a monophonic rock, standing off on its town, also known as Qasr Al Farid, must have belonged to very important family. The lowest part of the tomb is unfinished, but if it had been completed it would have been the largest facade at Hegra. It also has unique features, such as four Nabateans columns instead of the usual two. And how were the tombs created? Once the site for a tomb had been selected, it was carved from the top down without the use of scaffolding. Simple chisels, hammers and picks were the only equipment used. The “meeting place” cave also has some ahead-of-its-time acoustics and water collection system that deserve special mention. Nabateans were called “those different” because they were great engineers and they knew how to supply their kingdom in desert with water. They picked Al Ula most likely because of its huge sources of under water. But mysterious thing about them is that one day they just disappeared from history…

Did you know there are actually 131 tombs in total in Hegra?

Though your guide will likely show you about a dozen, including the most impressive one – the poster child of the area. Just few days before my arrival another ruins of whole ancient city were found, buried underground and covered by years and sand. Dr. Laila Nehme, a French archeologist has been digging in Mada’in Saleh since 2002!

P.S.: The best way how to check out all 131 tombs is from the private helicopter tour over the desert. The view must be magnificent. 

The Siq

The Siq is a naturally-formed passage leading into a sacred area within the Jabal Ithlib outcrop. Within this area are inscriptions, shrines, altars and sanctuaries. To the right of the passage is a rock-cut hall known as the Diwan, where Nabateans gathered for rituals, feasts or political discussions. The Diwan has carved benches where guests would recline to eat, drink and listen to music. 

The Elephant Rock

With some creativity, the soaring structure resembles and elephant with a long trunk. During the season of Winter at Tantora, the site is transformed into a festive, cultural, and artistic hub where visitors will enjoy a cool experience that includes seeing the picturesque rock, as well as a seating area around the rock, with live entertainment and a variety of restaurants and cafes. 

Ikmah, the library of Lihyan

The Lyhianite inscriptions carved into a rock face have come to be known as an “open library”, which has provided crucial information about the culture, beliefs and way of life of this ancient kingdom. 

Dadan

The ruins of the ancient Dadanian kingdom’s metropolis are only starting to be uncovered and truly understood. The ruins of the temple were uncovered recently while building a new road. Al Ula will be soon home to the largest living museum in the world – this means galleries, museums and walking trails to all of its sites. Multiple archeology missions, including French, German and Australian groups, are still taking place in town.

Old City

These sprawling mud-brick houses were inhabited as recently as six years ago, but look as though they were vacated hundreds of years earlier. Climb 190 steps to the top of the nearby fort for a good outlook. 

How to get around sites?

131 tombs together with other historical sites cover really huge area in the desert, so how to get around? You can’t really enter Madain Saleh area on your own unless you booked a guided tour which can also be small private tour (by bus or jeep). You can reserve your ticket at the Tourist information center. Then there are plenty of ways to get around in Al Ula from Madain Saleh to other sites, one of them is special Uber Vintage. When in the area, you will have the option to tap on “Vintage Uber” and you will get amazing classic baby blue jeep car. Definitely worth it. Another option is hop on/hop off bus. Buy a one day (170 SAR) or three-day bus pass (410 SAR) to get around key sites. 

When is the best time to visit?

All year long except summer times when the heats are unbearable. But definitely the best time for a visit is during the season of festivals – Winter at Tantora… At this time you can buy tickets for amazing international music concerts in one package with special tours to historical sights, fine dining experience and other luxurious activities. 

Winter at Tantora

Winter at Tantora offers a series of 12 premium weekends experiences that encapsulate the very best in art, music, food and entertainment. The festival is usually running until beginning of March and shows residents and tourists from all over the world an unforgettable experience. 

Maraya Mirror Concert Hall

Mirage? No, it’s an unique architecture which respects and highlights the surroundings instead of competing with nature. This stunning newly constructed Maraya Mirror Concert Hall in the middle of desert itself become an exhibition space and one of the most photographed sites in Al Ula. The only chance how to get a closer look of this architectural master piece is with the ticket for one of the concerts or exhibitions in the hand. The concerts are actually the main attraction of the Winter at Tantora Festival. “Maraya” which in Arabic means reflection or mirror was during the season of Winter at Tantora hosting such artists like Jamiroquai, Andrea Bocelli, Enrique Iglesias & Gipsy Kings, Lionel Richie & Craig David or Kool and the Gang. Every weekend hosts some international artist to perform. It is fitted with a high quality sound system and a beautiful backdrop of the mountains. Evenings in Maraya starts with a canapé reception followed by the performance of artist and then by a Gala Dinner in Maraya’s restaurant. Outside of concert hours all area is strictly closed to public as it often host also royal meetings. I got there without the tickets only thanks to kind hearted locals working for Al Ula who helped me to sneak in and they even broke some rules so I could see it at least from outside and take some pictures. 

How to get access to the Winter at Tantora Festival

When you enter the country, there are desks in both Riyadh and Jeddah airports, where you can register for the Winter at Tantora event end receive your festival badge before boarding, to ease your arrival process when in Al Ula. The desks are situated near to the check-in area. If you don’t have time to register in Jeddah or Riyadh you will receive your badge on arrival in Al Ula. Whenever you arrive at any of the sites, you are expected to present your badge. 

Where to stay?

Currently, there are only a couple of tent-style resorts and a few makeshift hotels in the area, the most popular being the Shaden Resort and the Sahary Al Ula Resort. More accommodation options will be rising up, including eco-friendly Aman resort (which is expected to be open by 2023). We are staying at luxurious Shaden Resort, and even though some parts were still under the construction, it was already amazing experience. I love especially their generous breakfast buffet with local and international selection of food. Another very appealing option for stay, especially if you like to experience nature in an unique way, is Canyon Camp. When you arrive to the campsite, you can see the aluminum exteriors reflect sunlight and contrast against the rocky mountains scenery. These RV carts feature a spanning bathroom, shower, convertible dinette, and twin beds at the front of the trailer with a centered nightstand, because nothing is better than falling asleep under the starry sky. Breakfast is served directly to your room. 

Fine dining in Al Ula

If you want to experience some of the most surreal dining concepts of your life, then spend a little more than you normally do and try out one of the incredible pop-out restaurants. Especially, since each spot has been carefully placed in a very unusual but picturesque location in the Saudi Arabian desert. 

Annabel’s Desert Garden

The famous private member’s club from London is currently in Al Ula. This restaurant and lounge is “garden” themed and nestled against the beautiful rocks. The menu features dishes from Annabel’s garden and bar. Bookings are limited to weekend and one day package guests. The food is served sharing style and is open for lunch and dinner from Thursday to Saturday.

Cost: 1200 SAR per person

Sass Café Al Ula

From Monaco to Al Ula, the stylish and legendary restaurant, Sass Café is located in between the rocky mountains in the desert. To get there, you have to walk through cracks in the mountain to arrive to the dining area. With Mediterranean cuisine, a mixologist, a BBQ menu managed by Diego Perezsosa and live entertainment. Sass Café Al Ula is not to be missed. The food is served sharing style and is open for lunch and dinner from Thursday to Saturday.

La Cantine Du Faubourg Al Ula

The award-winning French restaurant, based out of Paris and Dubai, is in gorgeous setting overlooking the desert. The executive Chef Gilles Bosquet created a set menu for a hip lunch or dinner. The food is served sharing style again.

Cost: 800 SAR per person

Awna

The concept of Awna is to create a series of dinning experiences every weekend. Michelin-starred chefs from around the world are coming every weekend to offer a curated culinary experience in an exceptional setting. 

What else can you do in Al Ula? 

Visit some date farm. There are estimated to be one million palm fronds in this area. It makes for a pretty backdrop to the towering monoliths, but an enterprising local might also offer you a look through the trees or a sample of some of the best dates in the country. For example, Al Ula Fresh is a beautiful oasis owned by a local Saudi farmer and business man, who opened up his farm to public for visitors to tour. The point of Al Ula Fresh is to go around and explore different kind of fruits and vegetables that grow in Saudi Arabia. It is not just dates. They have delicious oranges, lemons, pomegranates, apples and more. They even manage to grow cotton, which is difficult to grow. 

Cost: 180 SAR per person, kids under 12 for free

Flying a vintage airplane over Al Ula

When you land in the Al Ula airport, you will notice a fleet of vintage aircrafts. You have the option to experience one of four vintage planes to see a different view of Al Ula. You can fly over the heritage sites or out to the black and white volcano. Make sure you arrive at the airport 30 minutes before the starting time. 

Cost: 1365 SAR per person 

Sunrise hot air balloon flight

During the Hot Air Balloon Festival within Winter at Tantora Festival 100 hot air balloons gave passengers a chance to witness the sunrise with the sunrise free flight. Coasting over kilometer high, you will see Hegra from above. So check official website: experiencealula.com or blinkexperience.com for updates and bookings.

Coachella inspired Art Exhibition

Desert X Al Ula is the first site-responsive exhibition of its kind in Saudi Arabia. An exploration of desert culture, the exhibition is a cross-cultural dialogue between artists from Saudi Arabia and its surroundings region and artists from previous iterations of Desert X in California which happened during Coachella, taking its cues from the landscape and historical significance of Al Ula.

Importand Questions

How long should you spend there?

I suggest about four days for a full experience. Add more time and go to explore beautiful untouched island in Read Sea which resemble Maldives.

Do women need to wear an abaya?

Abayas are not mandatory anymore but I would suggest you to wear something modest, not too tight, with long sleeves and not shoving cleavage and legs above the knees. Have a respect to their culture and bear in mind that till 2019 women had to be fully covered in black abayas and many women prefer to wear it till now.

How has the development of tourism included the local community?

The Royal Commission has created one of the largest scholarship programs in the world in order to train locals to tend to Al Ula. Hundreds of people are currently studying tourism management and hospitality in locations across the world, after which they will return to work in the tourism industry of Al Ula. 

IDEAL FESTIVAL ITINERARY

THURSDAY 

1pm: Arrive to Al Ula airport

3pm: Lunch at La Cantine du Faubourg

5pm: Visit Hegra

6pm: Visit Elephant Rock at sunset

8pm: Dinner at Awna

FRIDAY

9am: Breakfast at Al Ban restaurant

11am: Rock Art Trail experience and horse riding in Ashar

1pm: Lunch at Annabel’s

4:30pm: Madain Saleh tour and a theater performance

8pm: Maraya Concert Hall for the Friday night show

8:30pm: Dinner Buffet at Maraya

9pm: Concert

SATURDAY

9am: Breakfast at Shaden

10:30am: Visit Jebel Ikmah

11:30am: Visit Al Ula Fresh

1pm: Lunch at Sass Café

3pm: Airport

This is not Ecuador. Nor Peru. Nor Vietnam. Nor Turkey. Not even fairy-tale about Gingerbread house. This is Saudi Arabia, as well. Would you guess so? Because Saudi Arabia is not only desert and camels, it’s also green mountains, rich culture and history or crystal sea full of underwater life. I’m happy to explore for western world yet unknown corners of this beautiful country. Let’s start in Rijal Almaa… 

Don’t worry I was also shocked when I saw the first picture from this cute village on social media. I didn’t expect that Saudi is so varied in landscapes. And six years ago I was also full of prejudices. Arabs were all terrorist and Saudi was a country of dust and sand where camels have more rights than women. Obviously I didn’t know nothing about their beautiful country and culture. In fact, the more hospitable, friendly, warm and willing to help people than in Saudi I probably met only in Japan. 🙂

Visa process

Since Saudi Arabia opened it’s borders to the world in September 2019, it has never been easier to apply for tourist visa. Visitors (even female) from 49 countries around the world can get online visa within few days for $80 USD fee including mandatory insurance. Online application which you can find on visa.visitsaudi.com takes only three simple steps. You only need to fill up some personal details from your valid passport and upload passport photo. I forwarded my application in November and received the e-mail with ready online visa within few minutes after. Valid for one full year, multiple entry. Another good news is that Saudi Arabia has extended validity of all tourist visa which has expired during the suspension of international flights for three months for free.

What to wear

That’s an important question, especially for women. Abayas are not mandatory anymore but I would suggest you to wear something modest, not too tight, with long sleeves and not shoving cleavage and legs above the knees. Have a respect to their culture and bear in mind that till last year women had to be fully covered in black abayas and many women prefer to wear it till now. I prefer to wear some nice colorful abaya when I’m in Saudi for two reasons: I really like it and I don’t want to be too outstanding from the crowds, I prefer to blend in. It also gives better more authentic look on the pictures. But I’ve seen western female tourists even in Rijal Almaa, which is not very well-known touristic area, wearing normal causal clothes like jeans. 

Safety

Strict Islamic law and rules have some good impact. I find Saudi Arabia one of the safest country I ever been to. Nobody lock their car here and if you loose your phone, it will be still there on the same place you dropped it or somebody will make sure you get it back. No scams, ripping of, catcalling, unlike in Egypt or Morocco. Just pure respect and hospitality. 

How to get there

By plane to Abha. There are plenty of daily domestic flights with several Saudi airlines every day either from international airport in Jeddah, Dammam or Riyadh. You can even go for economical low cost airlines like Fly Nas or Flydeal and save your money. These flight tickets are very cheap, less than you would pay in Europe for train. Price varies, depends on demand and time. Me and my Saudi boyfriend Abdullah, we are taking early morning flight with Saudi Airlines and in 1,5 hour we are already landing at Abha airport. Make sure you get the seat next to window, it’s a beautiful mountainous landscape view when landing. The village Rijal Almaa is another 1,5 hour drive from Abha airport so you will need to either rent a car or hire a taxi. Rental companies are right at the airport and they are extremely cheap. We have paid about 60 Saudi Rials (less than $20 USD) for one day. On the other side, a full day with an English speaking driver will cost you around 350 SAR (95 USD). The road to Rijal Almaa might be dangerous for not experienced driver. It’s very steep and curved, but the landscapes behind your car window are breathtaking. 

Old man and monkeys

Another danger you will meet on the road are monkeys. They can be very cheeky! You might stop and watch them or feed them but rather don’t get too close or don’t open the window. They are professional thefts and they are not scared of humans. We have stopped our car only when we saw old Saudi man in traditional costume walking next to road. Over 80 years old local man is later showing us his traditional Arabic weapons – something like slingshot and curved dagger called Janbiya fixed to his leather belt. He wants to show us how he was following and hunting monkeys which stole his sheep! He doesn’t give me even one judgmental look because I’m white uncovered woman traveling with my Saudi non-husband. Later my boyfriend is telling me that Saudi wasn’t that closed to world as we know it. Around 70’s it was normal open-minded country until strict Islamic politics of ‘awaking’ took over. This old man most likely better remember the times when it was normal for women to travel around Saudi uncovered. 

Flower crown

On the road you might see other locals selling Arabic tea or coffee with dates. And closer to Rijal Almaa you are, more guys selling flowers crowns you will see. Especially around resting areas with public toilettes or viewing points. Get one also if you’re a guy! In this part of Saudi Arabia, flower decoration on head wear also men! It’s a tradition to be welcomed to Rijal Almaa with hand-made flower crown. 

Rijal Almaa history

In about two hours (because we took many stops to enjoy the view) we are reaching our goal destination – gingerbread looking like remote village Rijal Almaa. Rijal Almaa belongs on list of UNESCO world heritage sites and is located in southern part of Saudi Arabia, in the Asir region near to Yemen borders. Therefore Yemeni influence is very significant in culture and architecture. It was once an important stop for those traveling from Yemen to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. And it was here that the Asiri tribes defeated the Ottomans army of 50 thousand soldiers and forced them to sign Asir independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1825. “Asir” which means “difficult” in Arabic, describes not only the uneasy terrain in the area, characterized by arduous and uneven cliffs, but also the trials of  Qahtani tribe. No wonder this village has the oldest museum in all Saudi Arabia! History of this place is very long and rich. The locals from Rijal Almaa belonging to the Qahtani tribe are extremely proud of their heritage. They wear their tribe’s traditional outfit instead of a typical white Thawb that the men in Saudi wear. 

Open-air museum of Rijal Almaa

Rijal Almaa is picturesque village, not only because of its setting, but also its architecture. It’s built up by 60 multiple-story buildings. All are built in a traditional way with only natural clay, stone and wood similar to the famous buildings just across the border in Yemen. Windows and doors of houses are painted in vibrant colors traditionally by local women. Nowadays the village serves as historical site and budding tourist draw. Entrance fee is 20 SAR (5USD). In one of the village’s forts is the oldest museum in Saudi Arabia now having around 2800 local historical pieces on display and another 500 kg of ancient local jewelry. The museum also shows how the locals lived in the village from the living room to the local prison where still the original chains are on display. Entrance fee to museum is included in general entrance fee to Rijal Almaa historical site. 

When is the best time time to visit

You can come to visit Rijal Almaa basically all year long, just keep in mind that winter months can be here surprisingly cold as the village is located high in the mountains. We are coming in the beginning of December and the weather is very pleasant, a bit refreshing towards the evening. But the best time is definitely during Flower Festival “Flowerman” in August when the village all come into blossom. As a part of the festival, old stone forts light up at night and elaborate video-mapping performance is projected on to them. Local families and visitors gather in an amphitheater-style setting to watch in awe as vibrant, fast moving colored patterns reverberate to music across the ancient stone buildings. These are the same colors local women use to paint their houses. And while the high-tech sight of the video-mapping mesmerizes visitors, so too do many stands of local craftsmen that line the street. Here, women make perfume and Bokhur – Arabic incense from local materials and men create ceramic pots and vases. There are stands that sell decorated abayas and robes, others have Arabc sweets and coffee. Apart form that there are many interesting folk performances that time to introduce beautiful culture of this area to audience. The festivities run till August 31 and include an open-air museum, live folk performances, art and poetry nights and heritage market. 

Corona update:  There will be Flower Man festival held in Rijal Almaa this summer 2020 to support domestic tourism, but unfortunately doesn’t seem the borders will reopen for foreign tourists yet. But definitely put it on your bucket list for summer 2021!

Where to eat in Rijal Almaa

There are no restaurants inside the historical part of Rijal Almaa, but there are a few small local restaurants outside the historical part of the village. But there’s a decent size stocked supermarket in Rijal Almaa, which also has the good selection of souvenirs. After we are done with admiring historical site, we have stopped in the park next to road on our way back to Abha where some local women were selling home food right on the street. The best way how to try some real authentic local cuisine. And we can enjoy our picnic in the park. Weather is amazing. 

Where to stay in Rijal Almaa

There’s no accommodation inside the historical part of Rijal Almaa itself, but there are a few hotels being built in surrounding hills. So currently the best place to stay for overnight is in Abha which have tens of accommodation options from budget to luxurious. We are renting private apartment in the city just for 150 SAR for a night. 

If you have more time

Next day I have to take early morning flight and fly back through Riyadh to Abu Dhabi due to work and duties but if you have more time than us, definitely go visit also Abha city. It is famous for being the highest large city of Saudi Arabia. Some parts of the city are even around 2400 meters above seal level. Day temperatures are ranging here from 15°to 35° C. Inside the city you can find many historical sites like Al-Muftaha Museum, Shada Palace, Shamasan Fort or Al-Basta old district. But If I regret that we miss something than it is Al-Soudah mountain and there Meraki London restaurant in the clouds. Due to really high altitude and weather conditions it is open only during Al-Soudah season in summer time (July and August). The view from restaurant is stunning, it will give you feeling of dining in the heaven. Never mind, next time. 😉

People of Saudi

My trip to Saudi is probably one of the most exciting or surprising I’ve ever had. I’ve never expected Saudi to be so rich in culture, so green in nature and so friendly to tourists from Western world. It’s been only few months since Saudi Arabia opened its borders to the world as a result of massive changes in its politics. It’s changing a lot, but still in Western media Saudi has a picture of a country with some of the most limited human rights for women in the world. Only recently women have been allowed to drive & vote. And potential tourists from Western world have been divided into two groups: those who are curious to explore new culture with open heart and mind and those who don’t want to support tourism in country which politics they don’t agree with. But my question for you is: Do you judge a country by its people or the government? If you want to help women in Saudi have better humans rights would you boycott visiting the country or would you encourage all women around the world to travel there to connect with Saudi women? I traveled to Saudi because I wanted to see one interesting culture that’s thousands of years older than the laws they have in place right now. So hey people, come to visit Saudi, you’re invited to see it yourself. Make (and take) your own picture. Enjoy the responsibility of being the bridge between cultures…