100% customisable travel idea
Ancient cities, desert and the Red Sea Saudi Arabia, with exceptional accommodations
Saudi Arabia - Jeddah - Al-Ula - Hejaz Desert - Red Sea
100% customisable travel idea
Saudi Arabia - Jeddah - Al-Ula - Hejaz Desert - Red Sea
100% customisable for you
You’ll have a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll settle in for the night. The accommodation overlooks the Red Sea Mall and the Jeddah Corniche circuit, where the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place. Through the window, the spacious room reveals the sparkling waters of the Red Sea - a sign of what lies ahead on the journey. The Corniche, Jeddah’s true seafront, is just a few steps away, as is the airport - ideal for a departure to Al-Ula the next day.
Private transfer to the airport and flight to Al-Ula. You’ll pick up your rental car upon arrival. Then you’ll head to the old town, where you’ll settle in for two nights. More than just a stay, the hotel offers a journey back in time to north-western Saudi Arabia, to an era when the region thrived on the trade of silk, spices and incense. The immersive architectural design blends the techniques and materials of traditional houses with truly modern amenities, such as the stunning rooftop infinity pool. The wooden doors of the rooms, carved with intricate patterns, are works of art in their own right. Behind these doors, organic shapes and textures abound - from the grain of the earthen brick walls to the wooden beams of the ceilings. At nightfall, candles and lanterns, carefully lit by the staff, bathe the place in a romantic light. The restaurant, set in an outdoor courtyard, offers dishes by the Michelin-starred chef inspired by Saudi culinary traditions and cooked over a wood fire with local ingredients from the nearby oasis. The hotel also offers an original café concept: tables, sofas and beautiful woven rugs are scattered across the rooftops, where you can enjoy tea or coffee while taking in the view.
To see and do - Set at the foot of imposing rocky mountains, the old town of Al-Ula is a maze of narrow alleyways where mudbrick and stone houses stand side by side. Over the centuries, it has seen pilgrims, travellers and merchants pass through - each leaving their mark and helping to shape the city. This compact cluster of around 900 houses creates a fascinating labyrinthine town. Overlooking the old town stands Musa bin Nusayr Castle, whose origins are thought to date back to the 10th century. The view of the city and the oasis is remarkable. Our tip: visit the old town in the late afternoon. The streets come alive, the shops reopen their doors and you can do a bit of shopping before dining in one of the many restaurants along the main pedestrian street. Unless you would rather watch the sunset over Jebel Al Fil, just a few kilometres from here. The “Elephant Rock” - a 52-metre-high sandstone monolith, a remarkable illustration of the erosive power of wind and water over millions of years - takes on iridescent sunset hues at the end of the day, surrounded by mountains for a spectacular sight.
Optional - Hegra by night.
Scheduled - Sharaan Reserve by 4x4. Near Al-Ula, the Sharaan Nature Reserve reveals a breathtaking range of desert landscapes: red-tinged canyons mix with wind-carved arches, wide expanses of sand dotted with wildflowers and ravines with sheer walls. Oryx and gazelles, successfully reintroduced, roam freely here and are easy to spot from the vehicle.
Also planned - the visit to Hegra - Mada’in Saleh. North of Al-Ula, the mysterious city of Hegra is once again opening up to the world. The British poet Charles Montagu Doughty called it the “Petra of Saudi Arabia”, and it’s easy to see why. At first glance, the comparison with its Jordanian big sister is striking. Like her, Hegra thrived thanks to caravan trade in the 2nd century BC up until the Roman conquest. Today, 111 monumental tombs - 94 of them with decorated façades and miraculously preserved - bear witness to this distant past. With a guide, you’ll stop at several places on the tour: the Tomb of Lihyan, Jabal Al Banat, Jabal Ithlib and Jabal Al Ahmar - each reveals a fragment of the history of this ancient civilisation.
Drive to the Hejaz desert. Stay for two nights in a resort centred on a covered circular communal area and a small oasis with a pool, cafés and restaurants. Your villa, sheltered beneath an angular canopy, draws inspiration from the colours and atmosphere of the desert. The interior stands out for its dune-like curves and handcrafted furniture decorated with traditional Bedouin carpets and fabrics. The bathroom is a sanctuary for relaxation, with tactile surfaces, a spacious shower and a deep bathtub. During the day, it's easy to spend all your time in the underground spa, which covers nearly 4,000 square metres (43,000 square feet). Treatment rooms, along with a well-being area featuring a sauna, steam room, infrared sauna and cold bath, offer vitality and a feeling of freshness. For adventurous souls, hiking trails start from the resort and wind through rugged dunes, steep cliffs and archaeological remains. In the evening, aperitifs and dinners are enjoyed at the restaurant. This spot is ideal for watching sunsets with pink and orange hues.
Unlike the vast sandy deserts of Africa, the Hejaz desert, about 200 km (124 miles) from the Red Sea, reveals breathtaking canyon landscapes and monumental rock formations rising from the sand. Lunar landscapes that give you the irresistible feeling of travelling through David Lean’s “Lawrence of Arabia”, to the point where you almost expect to hear Maurice Jarre’s enchanting orchestral score in the air…
À la carte - Hike in the Hejaz desert.
You’ll journey to Turtle Bay, then transfer by boat to your final accommodation, before settling in for two nights. On an exclusive island in the Ummahat archipelago, off the Saudi coast, seclusion meets pure luxury. The Red Sea is the inspiration behind the establishment. It’s a vast, unspoiled playground you can explore at your leisure. Your villa, nestled on the beach, offers bright and airy interiors with high ceilings. The sandy and aquamarine tones draw inspiration from the natural surroundings, helping them blend in. The bathroom is spacious, while the outdoor dining area and infinity pool invite you to linger between inside and outside. For those who prefer company, the three restaurants offer just as many culinary experiences. The first serves Levantine delights such as fayaters, manakish, sayadieh and mezze to share. The second, perched on stilts above the sea, promises delicious gastronomic flavours. Finally, the third is a Japanese restaurant of the izakaya type where the Japanese-Filipino chef delights in surprising guests with a dazzling omakase menu (that is, “chef’s choice!”).
South of Tabuk province, off the Saudi coast, floats the Ummahat archipelago, which is often, and rightly, compared to the Maldives. It must be said that the comparison is inevitable, as the paradise beaches and the sparkling lagoon, protected by a coral reef, instantly bring to mind visions of the Indian Ocean. Although the sand is not as fine and powdery as on the Maldivian islands, the waters here are just as clear. It’s a true paradise for scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, where you can encounter colourful fish, stingrays and whitetip reef sharks swimming among thriving corals…
Optional - Snorkelling in the Red Sea.
Boat transfer to Turtle Bay. You’ll drive to Yanbu airport, return the rental car, then take your international flight home. Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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