In December 2022 I had the unique opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia along with 19 other travel advisers, hosted by the Saudi Tourism Authority. Having done my research, I was excited to see this destination as it was opening its doors wider to tourism.
I began my journey in Charlotte, traveled to Washington Dulles Airport, and then continued my trip to Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The Saudi flight was smooth in boarding and offered great food and excellent cabin service. I quickly settled in for my nonstop flight and was fortunate to have a row to myself.
The mocktails were terrific, and I didn’t really notice that they did not contain alcohol. We arrived in the early afternoon at King Khalid International Airport, where we were greeted by young ladies who presented us with roses. Let me just pause and say that our transportation throughout was flawless, with comfortable buses and on-time departures and arrivals.
We were asked to dress modestly, covering our shoulders and knees and avoiding tight-fitting clothing. Contrary to popular belief, most women there are not covered from head to toe, and some also wear Western clothing.
On our ride to the hotel, I was struck by how clean the streets and buildings were and how friendly and fascinated people were with our arrival. Once we checked into our hotel, rested and changed, we were on our way to the Boulevard Riyadh City for dinner.
If you are a foodie, then Saudi Arabia is somewhere you definitely want to visit. The meals were fresh and healthful.
The call to prayer was observed five times a day, and some shops closed during that time. The sound of the call can be heard throughout the city. It was a reminder that I needed to be more consistent with prayer in my own life.
The Boulevard in Riyadh City is full of restaurants, activities and events geared toward visitors. We learned that Arabic coffee is delicious, and that it is poured as if part of a ritual.
On Dec. 7, which happened to be my birthday, our group woke up to a fantastic breakfast at the hotel and continued to see the Masmak Fortress and Souq Alzal.
We got a taste of Saudi Arabia for lunch when we were invited to a local family’s home for the meal. The family was welcoming, and I found they were as curious about me as I was about them. Lunch was delicious, and we had an opportunity to chat and discover how much we had in common. The family gave us gifts as we were leaving.
That evening our group visited Diriyah, an area with a lively nightlife. We had dinner at a Lebanese restaurant where, once again, the food and service were amazing. The staff surprised me with a birthday cake and a screen with Happy Birthday wishes on it. The businesses in this area stayed open late, and I felt very safe with everyone just seeking to enjoy the beautiful evening.
And, yes, the weather was pleasant during our stay.
The following morning our group did a site inspection at the Four Seasons Resort and headed back to the airport for a flight to AlULa, which turned out to be my favorite destination. We checked into the Shaden Resort and headed to Elephant Rock. The formations here are breathtaking; many concerts are held among the rocks. It was difficult to imagine that these vast formations were, at one point, under water.
We had an opportunity to visit Old Town and do some shopping. Dinner was at a stunning rooftop restaurant called Suhail, known for some of the best Saudi cuisine around.
The next day we visited the Banyan Hotel AlUla and the Resort at Ashar Valley, Saudi Arabia. The resort is home to the Blue Lady and serves as a getaway for many high-profile individuals.
That evening, we headed back to the airport to leave for Jeddah.
In Jeddah, we were able to sail the Red Sea on board a beautiful yacht and visit Al Balad, the historic city. Again, we were treated to fine food and hospitality.
Then as quickly as our tour began, it was time to board the jet for our flight home.
- Saudi Arabia is very safe. I can’t tell you how many people at home asked me why I was taking this trip. When I returned and went through customs in New York, the customs officer asked where I was coming from, and I told him. He said he was glad you made it out alive. Wait, I just landed in New York, right?
- The country was spotless, and the people were so hospitable.
- Saudi Arabia is planning to become a significant tourism destination. It is building and firming up its position in the sector.
- I found that quite a few people there were from African nations.
- There is so much rich history and culture in the country. I was fascinated by the rock formations in AlUla.
- It is a foodie paradise, including foods from many nations.
- The residents are as curious about us as we were about them. I enjoyed spending time in local homes.
- Family is very important as you see many generations together. Elders are highly respected.
- The men tend to wear the traditional garb. Some women are covered head to toe, but everyone is covered shoulder to knee.
- Faith is very important. The call to prayer is five times a day and there is no alcohol served. Even on the aircraft, the screens show the direction of Mecca, and Arabic prayers are offered before takeoff.
- Arabic coffee and dates are served everywhere. They quickly grew on me.
- As Saudi Arabia opens to tourism, I hope that visitors will respect the religion and culture. Be open-minded and have no preconceived ideas. The way Saudis are portrayed in the media differs from what you will find here.
- I hope Saudis do not feel pressure to change for the sake of tourism. The mocktails were delicious and didn’t need alcohol.
- Remember, we are all members of the human race. A Saudi trip will open your heart to that idea.
