More about Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently opened its doors to leisure travellers, and we’’ are delighted to introduce this ancient, exciting and enigmatic destination to you.  Having explored its illustrious history dating back Ten millennia and experienced some of the natural wonders, we feel privileged to help you rediscover the magic of Arabia.

Set between the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, the peninsula is home to the world’s largest desert. Far from empty, the scorched sands and rugged mountains have miraculously supported numerous civilisations over time, with the aid of underground reservoirs. As a result, some of the earliest traces of human habitation in the world  are found here. Sitting strategically at the crossroads of ancient trade routes between Yemen and the empires of Egypt, the Levant, Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, and Persia, these oasis settlements gained significant importance and flourished as independent kingdoms, each with distinct beliefs and histories and cultures.

In the 7th century, the small oases of Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and Medina, the city he later fled on being persecuted for his beliefs, were both propelled to great prominence as his preachings and Islam spread across the world. However, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as we know it today was,  only born in 1932 when Abdulaziz Al-Saud conquered the numerous independent oases of the peninsular to establish a single state under his rule. The almost concurrent discovery of oil in 1938 further cemented his dynasty, which has ruled as an absolute monarchy since, observing a very conservative form of Islam.

Closed for decades, tourism is now progressively encouraged. Still,  visitors may need to prepare for lack of access to some major historical and religious sites despite a greater degree of openness. . The continued segregation of women in society remains a concern, albeit some progress has been made in recent years.

A land of immense natural beauty, rich in archaeological and cultural history spanning 10 Millennia, Saudi Arabia has five UNESCO Heritage sites, including Historic Ottoman Houses at Al Balad, Jeddah, Riyadh’s Al-Turaif District, the Ha’il region rock art and the Al-Ahsa oasis and the rock-cut tombs of Mada’in Saleh, Alula considered second only to Petra. Adventurers should no doubt head for the the astonishing white volcanoes at Harrat Khaybar or trek to the Edge of The World’ at Jebel Fihran for a chance to experience the dramatic wonder of these 300 meter high desert cliffs.

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