6 Days Road Trip. From Jeddah to Al Ula

About the destination: Jeddah is located on the Red Sea in the west of Saudi Arabia. It's the second largest city and a major commercial hub in the country. Jeddah is the main gateway to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, which all able-bodied Muslims are obliged to visit at least once in their lifetime. It's also a gateway to Medina, the second holiest place in Islam. The city that never sleeps won't let you sleep with all the variety it offers. To explore Jeddah, you'll need to sail its wild coasts, visit the luxurious Corniche, savour popular seafood dishes, enjoy majestic palaces, and historical and archaeological landmarks. The Khuzam Palace is a landmark that showcases the beauty of modern architecture. It was named Khuzam after all the lavender (Khuzama in Arabic) that surrounds it. The construction of the palace began in 1928 and was completed in 1932. It's the first building to be constructed using cement and iron in Jeddah. King Abdulaziz ordered its construction during his stay at the Nassif House for a period of time. Today, Khuzam Palace is one of the most important museums in Saudi Arabia. Tahaliyah Street is one of the most prestigious and vital main streets in Jeddah. It's a commercial hub of shopping centres due to the many brand name shopping centres lining its sides, as well as the finest restaurants, multiple shopping centres and lavish offices, not to mention its beauty and strategic location, divided into two sections.

About the destination:

Medina is one of Islam’s two holiest cities, making it a key destination for millions of pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah. The city is centered around Al Masjid an Nabawi, also known as the Prophet’s Mosque, which was constructed by the Prophet himself (PBUH) and is also where he is buried. Medina is where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived and taught after the migration from Makkah in 622 A.D., called Hijrah. This year is so important in the history of Islam since it marks the start of the Islamic calendar. Although the city’s name is usually written as Medina in English, its full name is Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, meaning “the Enlightened City.” Because of the city’s pivotal role in the Prophet Muhammad’s life (PBUH), making a trip to Medina is a lifelong dream for many Muslims.

About the destination:

There are few places in the world where you can still feel like a true explorer charting the unknown. In many historic destinations, the illusion of discovery is promptly shattered by a jungle of selfie sticks. But in AlUla, which is home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, deep in the desert in the northwestern region of the country, you might still be able to play out your fantasy of being an intrepid archaeologist for a day. Despite all the makings of a bucket list-topping global destination — ancient tombs that remain as the legacy of 7,000 years of human civilization, stunning natural rock formations and canyons, a plethora of adventure sports options and cutting-edge art installations — AlUla remains largely off the global tourism radar, giving you plenty of space and time for reflection with the monumentality of its beautiful desert landscapes.