Travel report roundtrip Saudi Arabia

Day 1 – Flight to Riyadh

Below you will find the travel report of Wim, May (Belgium), and Monique (Netherlands), who joined us on a wonderful tour of Saudi Arabia at the end of January/beginning of February 2026.

After a comfortable flight from Brussels via Rome, we land in Riyadh, where everything goes very smoothly. We receive our luggage almost immediately, the driver is waiting at the agreed location, and we are also pleasantly surprised to see Jessica there. She gives us the tip to exchange some money into the local currency.

Upon arrival at the Joudyan Hotel, check-in is quick and we can go straight to our room. We look forward to staying in this comfortable accommodation for the next four nights. The quality of sleep is excellent and we are not disturbed by any noise.

The hotel is very centrally located, along what is apparently known here as the Champs-Élysées of Riyadh. The spotless and spacious sidewalks and beautifully lit buildings certainly make a fantastic impression. We enjoy a delicious cappuccino in one of the many cafés and are then ready for the next day.

Day 2 – Riyadh

I once thought the breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia in Singapore was the best in the world. From now on, they will have to share that title with the breakfast at the Joudyan in Riyadh. Top quality.

When Monique (and she won't mind me saying this here) notices a few women dressed in Saudi attire and sees this as confirmation of her preconception about the oppression of women, she is almost ready to go into battle. I explain to her that May and I have a different opinion on this. We hope that, when she gets to know the way people interact with each other here , she will succeed in forming a more nuanced opinion. In a polite manner, we also ask her not to overemphasize the so-called Western freedoms and to perhaps nuance those as well.

When Monique later comes to a different conclusion, thanks to conversations with various people and her own observations, she understands that you first need to know before you judge. It was wonderful for us to see that someone who has already lived for many years managed to adjust her view in barely ten days and will probably be less quick to judge based on preconceptions in the future.

After a delicious breakfast, we meet our driver-guide for the next four days—albeit ten minutes late. I tell him that we like guides who arrive on time, and he is punctual every day thereafter. The man turns out to be a good driver and a pleasant guide, who ensures that we get to see everything on the program in a smooth and relaxed manner.

Today we are visiting the old city center of Riyadh. We enjoy a drink on a terrace overlooking the beautiful Masmak Fort after spending some time strolling along the shopping streets. Then we visit the National Museum, located in a beautiful park where local families enjoy nature and the pleasant weather (27°C) on blankets. The museum itself beautifully depicts the history of the Arabian Peninsula. Magnificent.

After that, we drive a little way outside the city to visit a horse riding center. It is somewhat rudimentary, but all the horses are in excellent condition. It is a particularly educational and interesting experience, especially for Monique.

Unfortunately, on the way we also see the only really negative thing we have encountered so far in Saudi Arabia: the country still has a long way to go in dealing with plastic waste. Plastic is still too often left by the roadside or in nature, when it should of course be collected and recycled.

Afterwards, we return to the hotel, because tonight we are having dinner with a Saudi family. During the drive to their home - where we are welcomed by mother and daughter - we get a beautiful view of the illuminated city with its modern architecture. Upon arrival, we are given a very warm welcome. The ladies are given the opportunity to try on local party dresses and, if I may say so myself, they look like two princesses from One Thousand and One Nights.

In the spacious and comfortable house, we are also served a delicious dinner: excellently prepared and with flavors that are actually quite familiar to us – simply very tasty. The conversations, in excellent English on their part, never cease, and we even discover a number of shared interests.

After a warm and sincere farewell, we drive back to the hotel. There, we enjoy a cappuccino with a slice of cheesecake in what has now become our local bar.

End of a wonderful day, which we give a 9/10 (plastic).

Day 3 – Diriyah, KAFD, and Edge of the World

After breakfast, the guide picks us up right on time for our visit to Diriyah, the former capital of the first Saudi empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a short drive, we park the car in a beautiful new underground parking garage. From there, it is only a short walk through a park with palm trees to the entrance of the beautifully restored center of Diriyah.

After walking past several service buildings - with modern interiors but traditional adobe exteriors - we arrive at a building where screens explain the history of the city, supported by a number of utensils from earlier times on display. Very nicely done and definitely worth seeing.

Afterwards, we stroll through the charming streets of the historic center, where terraces, beautiful views, skillfully restored adobe houses, and small exhibition spaces alternate. Very attractive and particularly photogenic. The early morning visit also turns out to be perfectly planned by the guide: you can see that restaurants and shops are getting ready for the arrival of larger numbers of visitors, but for us everything is still quiet and relaxed. A very successful visit.

It's a completely different story when we leave Diriyah and visit the nearby KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District). It takes a while to find a place to park the car among the skyscrapers, but once we're there, we are deeply impressed. Each building is beautifully designed individually, and together they form one of the most beautiful modern skylines we have ever seen.

The guide tells us that Jessica is waiting for us in a café in the center, where we can have a drink. There, too, the design is impressive, and our respect for Saudi architects and designers only grows. Sitting comfortably at a table, Jessica tells us about the daily lives of men and women in Saudi Arabia. Her story confirms much of what we had already observed in other Islamic countries we visited during a previous trip along the Silk Road.

It also helps Monique to further nuance her opinion after yesterday's enjoyable dinner. For example, Jessica shares our observation that it is often men who feel the most pressure to fulfill their responsibilities. She also emphasizes that women in Sunni Muslim countries do indeed have freedoms and choices of their own. Intelligent as Monique is, she is beginning to understand better and better that you can live really well here, but that both women and men are expected to take on their responsibilities.

After a warm farewell to Jessica, we leave a little wiser and, enjoying the impressive architecture of KAFD, head for our next destination.

It takes about two hours to reach the "Edge of the World." It's nice that at the entrance to the national park, where this famous spot is located, we stop at a large fenced-in area where Arabian antelopes live. It's a nice bonus that we can take some pictures of the local wildlife here.

After a half-hour drive in a 4×4 over rough terrain, we reach the famous cliffs. And yes, it really is a natural wonder. The guide has also timed it perfectly: we arrive about an hour before sunset, so we can enjoy the spectacular views in ideal conditions. It's also good to stretch our legs as we climb up and down to the most beautiful panoramas.

After sunset, we leave the site at dusk and return to Riyadh. It has been a truly wonderful day. On the way, we stop at a supermarket to pick up a small snack. Upon arrival in the city, we decide to have another coffee and a piece of cake at what has now become our local bar.

There are quite a few people here, mainly women. Perhaps our age plays a role, but we really enjoy seeing smartphones being put aside at various tables to make way for board games. At the table next to us, for example, two veiled women are playing a game of Connect Four, while a gentleman watches with amusement.

When one of the ladies invites me to play a game against her, I gladly accept. I rack my gray matter to make the best move possible - and actually manage to win the game. The ladies laugh heartily, and the gentleman in their company gives me a thumbs up. Nice people.

Bedtime now, because tomorrow there's a lot on the agenda again. We give this wonderful day a big 10/10.

Day 4 – Ushaiger and Shaqra

A few hundred kilometers outside Riyadh, we visit two villages today that give us an idea of traditional Saudi life before the oil era. You can see that work is being done here to develop these places into tourist attractions, but also that there is still a lot to be done. At the same time, it is clear that if the ambition is to restore everything completely and carefully, these villages could become real gems. For now, however, you get the impression that you are at least three years too early.

Still, I'm glad I saw it. I especially remember the fascinating visit to the salt extraction facility beforehand. Also, the nice museum in Ushaiger also gave a glimpse of how indescribably beautiful it can be here when everything is completely finished. In addition, I was particularly impressed by the beautifully restored palace in Shaqra, perhaps the most beautiful adobe building we saw during the entire trip.

As the icing on the cake, we enjoyed a delicious meal at a restaurant near Shaqra. In contrast, the local market was still quiet; we had clearly arrived too early in the day.

Once back in Riyadh, we take an evening stroll around the hotel to capture some more beautiful images. Then, with a touch of nostalgia, we visit our favorite bar one last time, because tomorrow we fly to Tabuk.

Perhaps a little harsh, but for this day we ultimately give it a 6/10.

Day 5 – Flight to Tabuk and visit to Wadi Disah

Delicious breakfast, a smooth transfer to the airport, and a comfortable flight to Tabuk.

There we are met by a new driver-guide, who immediately proves to be a real gem. He perfectly understands the values and beauty of his country and knows how to show them to us in the best possible way. He also makes a comment that we can fully agree with. According to him, it would actually be better to drive north to a nature park after arriving in Tabuk to take pictures of the landscape and wildlife, then spend the night in Tabuk and visit Wadi Disah the next day. In hindsight, that does indeed seem like the ideal order, especially since you would then almost certainly be able to see the mythical Arabian oryx. That would have been a top attraction for us. Maybe something for a future trip.

As we leave Tabuk, I tell the guide about the good American idea of having schoolchildren clean up the plastic along the roadside, so that they will grow up to be adults who no longer litter. I must say that from today onwards, we see virtually no litter. Moreover, I have seen worse elsewhere - in Turkey, for example, the problem is much worse in some places. From here, that minor drawback fades completely into the background.

Because from now on, we will be floating, as it were, through a breathtaking world of unparalleled beauty - and that's saying something, because Saudi Arabia is the hundredth country we are visiting.

As soon as we enter Wadi Disah , one of the absolute highlights of our travels begins. From a higher vantage point, you first look down on the indescribable beauty of the rock formations: enormous formations of petrified clay that have taken on shapes you won't see anywhere else in the world. As we descend between these impressive rock formations, we arrive in a valley where groups of camels roam peacefully. They willingly pose for photos against a spectacular backdrop – unique images.

Finally, we reach the Disah oasis. I'm not going to say anything about it, because words cannot do it justice. You can only be grateful that you get to see something like this once in your lifetime. It's paradise on earth.

After this journey - which truly takes your breath away - we arrive at the campsite. We spend the night in a spacious, simple tent. Basic, but comfortable enough. The shared bathroom facilities, one room for men and one for women, are spacious and spotless. No problems whatsoever.

But the day is not over yet, because one last top attraction awaits us. Fawaz picks us up about an hour and a half before sunset. After a short drive, we arrive in a landscape that surpasses even the natural beauty of Monument Valley in the United States. Two young men have set up a Bedouin tent for us, where we will enjoy a barbecue that they prepare on the spot.

In one of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the world, we enjoy a delicious meal while the sun slowly sets and more and more stars appear in the sky. At moments like this, you wonder what you did to deserve this.

After a short evening stroll under the palm trees of the campsite, we retreat to our tent for a peaceful night's sleep.

Today: a full 10/10. Apparently, 20/10 isn't possible - but it certainly wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Day 6 – Transfer to AlUla followed by Elephant Rock

After a delicious à la carte breakfast and a smooth journey, we arrive in AlUla, our next top destination, around noon. After a short stop at a beautifully designed gas station, where we enjoy a tasty afternoon snack, the guide drives straight on to a spot with breathtaking panoramic views of the desert and the surrounding rock formations.

Among other things, the AlUla Gate is of unparalleled beauty, but elsewhere in the area, impressive views follow one another in quick succession. The guide also points out some ancient rock carvings that tell us a lot about the significance of AlUla in the days of the camel caravans. All this beauty makes me wonder why AlUla is still so little known in the Western world. For me, in terms of rock formations, this region is even more impressive than Monument Valley and Cappadocia combined.

Later at the hotel, I mention to some locals that when reporting on cycling races in AlUla on television, for example, they should interrupt the race footage more often with panoramic shots of the spectacular landscapes. They could take a cue from how this is done in France during the Tour de France. Of course, the question remains as to how much tourism they actually want to attract here, because the potential seems enormous to me.

Our guide also tells us about his family's history in this region and takes us to a farm he owns. There, he grows citrus fruits and dates , and there is also space for guests who want to stay overnight. Everything looks very well cared for, and Fawaz treats us to some of his home-grown fruit. As we all come from farms or horticultural businesses, we find this a particularly interesting visit.

After another series of beautiful panoramas, I notice a natural rock arch in the distance and ask the guide if we can drive there. It turns out to be a truly magnificent specimen, but apparently it is still relatively unknown. We approach it with admiration and when we see some fox paw prints at the foot of the rock, we spontaneously name this impressive natural bridge "Eye of the Fox." Another new sight discovered - and close to our final destination for today: Elephant Rock.

This rock is truly unique and lives up to its reputation. Together with many other visitors, we enjoy a drink at one of the stalls, overlooking this natural wonder bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. Beautiful.

Then it's time to find our hotel, where we arrive after dark. This adobe hotel, which blends in beautifully with the old town, is truly unique in terms of atmosphere and experience. The soft lighting with lanterns makes Dar Tantora an experience you probably won't find anywhere else. For May and me, it's magically beautiful.

Monique, however, finds it a little more difficult to cope with. She is bothered by the sparse lighting, which is understandable when you are used to the bright lights of modern hotels. The rooms themselves - with several separate areas - are phenomenal, and you can easily request one or more additional floor lamps. Your request will be fulfilled immediately.

In short: a dream for romantic souls. Still, I think it would be wise to check when booking whether the limited lighting could be a problem for some travelers. For them, a modern hotel might be a better choice.

However, May and I wouldn't have missed this hotel for the world. We even said that they don't need to change anything about the concept for us - we loved it. At the same time, we understand that some guests may find the lighting less practical, although in our opinion that's a problem that can be solved quite easily.

After a nice dinner at a nearby restaurant, we finally go to bed, once again after a wonderful day. 10/10.

Day 7 – Hegra, AlUla Oasis, Harrat viewpoint, and the Maraya Hall Concert Hall

After another delicious breakfast, the guide picks us up for a short drive to Hegra, a former capital of the Nabataeans and Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, hundreds of years ago, the Nabataeans carved tombs, living quarters, and other functional spaces into the rocks. They easily stand up to comparison with Petra in Jordan.

An organized jeep tour provides a very accessible way to visit these impressive monuments, set in beautiful natural surroundings. After a welcome with coffee and dates at the reception center, we climb into the jeeps. Once again, our driver-guide turns out to be an extremely intelligent young man who explains everything in excellent English in a thorough but light-hearted manner, without ever becoming tedious.

In the company of a charming Filipino couple, we enjoy an entertaining and particularly educational morning. Between stops, we exchange pleasant travel experiences while enjoying a unique combination of history and spectacular landscapes. We can hardly take our eyes off everything we want to capture on camera. Because we are so satisfied with the tour, we want to thank the guide with a tip, but he politely refuses. "Your satisfaction is my pleasure," he says. What a great guy.

Afterwards, we will be picked up again for a visit to the AlUla oasis. Here we will see how almost all types of fruit and vegetables can be grown in this desert environment, as soon as the soil is provided with water. Partly through natural sources and partly through irrigation, it is possible to harvest here all year round, ensuring a perfect local food supply.

Walking through the lush greenery, along picturesque paths with the mountains in the background, we take some more beautiful photos. At the end of the walk, we arrive at the Pink Camel, where we sit down on the terrace for lunch. This best restaurant in the oasis serves delicious dishes, largely inspired by Western cuisine.

After lunch, we arrange with the guide to pick us up at the hotel at three o'clock. This allows us to walk through the old town ourselves and eventually end up back at the hotel. It's good to stretch our legs, and what we see along the way is truly dazzlingly beautiful.

The old town consists of a wide pedestrian street with shops, cafes, and restaurants, all built in traditional adobe style, with impressive mountain silhouettes behind them. The whole thing is so beautiful that I almost have to stop myself from taking too many photos. The street is also filled with cheerful and enthusiastic people, and the ladies are clearly enjoying what the small shops have to offer. They make a few purchases and when we finally arrive back at our hotel, we ask ourselves: "Surely this day can't get any better?"

But we have to revise that opinion, because the guide has something special in store for us. We get back in the car and drive through more stunning desert landscapes. After a steep climb, we reach the Harrat viewpoint. From here, you have a breathtaking panorama of the entire AlUla valley. Once again, we are glad we chose this destination. You can only see landscapes like this here.

And it must also be said: there is no litter here anymore. Everything is spotless and the infrastructure has been constructed with care and attention. We enjoy a drink on the restaurant terrace while taking in the view.

Afterwards, the guide takes us back to the hotel so we can freshen up, because the highlight of the day is yet to come: a visit to the Maraya Concert Hall, followed by dinner at the Maraya Social restaurant.

Just outside the city, an impressive event hall was built here, with a restaurant on top and spectacular desert and rock surroundings. The entire building is covered with mirrors, reflecting the landscape endlessly and enhancing its natural beauty. Once again, we are left speechless, because words cannot describe what you experience here.

The dinner - included in the trip - is also a pure experience. We have enjoyed thousands of restaurant meals in our lives, but this is only the second time that I have covered my eyes and said, "It can't be possible that food can be this delicious." The first time was at a pousada in Portugal, and now again here. This is simply Michelin three-star level, and that in such a fairytale setting.

I say to my wife, and I really mean it: "May, I don't have to die to go to heaven anymore, because I'm already there." Wonderful.

All three of us know that we will never forget this evening. There is really nothing more to say about it.

After a phone call, the guide comes to pick us up again. At our request, he drops us off at the entrance to the old town so that we can take one last evening stroll there. A wonderful way to end the day.

Then quickly to bed, because tomorrow we have to be up early for a balloon flight.

Another solid 10/10 today - although 20/10 would actually be more appropriate here.

Day 8 – Hot air balloon flight over Hegra and transfer to Madinah

Just before six o'clock, we are picked up at the hotel. The program includes a balloon flight over Hegra. The biggest spectacle is, of course, the takeoff of all those balloons. With about twenty people in the basket, we are soon up in the air.

This is our third balloon flight, following previous experiences in the Masai Mara and above Cappadocia. Here too, everything is handled with great technical professionalism. The biggest difference is in the speed: between the moment the balloon is still on the ground and the moment we are floating in the air, barely ten minutes pass. That is a lot faster than our previous flights.

We are a little unlucky because there is virtually no wind, which means we don't cover much distance. But the view above Hegra, with the other balloons floating all around us in the air, is truly fantastic. We enjoy it for over an hour and a half. The lack of wind also makes for a particularly soft and comfortable landing.

Afterwards, we are offered a refreshing beverage, and half an hour later, we are already enjoying breakfast at our hotel. We have agreed with the guide to depart for Madinah at eleven o'clock, which gives us ample time to pack and to once again express our appreciation to the hotel staff. Even Monique, who initially had some doubts, admits that our stay in AlUla has been an unforgettable life experience.

At eleven o'clock, we get into the car and, after a few more photo stops, we set course for Madinah. The landscapes along the way force us to revise our previous ideas about Saudi Arabia. The country clearly does not consist mainly of sand dunes, but rather of a vast rocky desert with a few bushes here and there, a few acacia trees, and sparse ground cover - just enough to feed sheep, goats, and camels. We even have to search for quite a while to find a few sand dunes somewhere to take some pictures.

During one such stop, the guide notices a group of people in the distance. He suspects that it is a Bedouin camel market, and when we drive over, this turns out to be the case. The greeting is warm, and the spectacle of animals and traders immediately feels familiar to me as a retired cattle trader. We watch the proceedings for a while and are then invited into one of the Bedouins' tents, where they offer us coffee and dates. We thank them warmly for their hospitality and then continue our journey after this particularly pleasant stopover.

A little further on, we stop at an old train locomotive with a few carriages. It is a remnant of what was once the major rail link between Riyadh and Amman. After the devastation of the First World War, this railway line was never fully restored. The train has been standing here for more than 110 years as a silent reminder of times gone by.

When we approach Madinah , May and Monique are each given a traditional dark blue cloak by the guide. Because Madinah is the country's second holy city, they can wear them as a sign of respect for the many pilgrims who gather here. They do so willingly and without any difficulty - and, to be honest, it suits them very well.

Once in the city, we first stop at the holy mountain of Uhud, with its beautiful mosque. This place plays an important role in the history of the country and of Sunni Islam. Together with a large group of pilgrims, we enjoy an impressive view of the site from a nearby rocky hill.

After that, we will drive to our hotel to check in, after which we will go to the Mosque of the Prophet with our guide. As non-Muslims, we are only allowed to view the exterior, and so close to Ramadan , it is particularly busy.

What strikes us most is the respectful nature of everything that happens here. Despite the enormous crowds, there is not a single piece of litter to be seen - everything is spotless. I take a few photos from outside. I get the impression that the guide allows this, but would perhaps prefer me not to, possibly for fear that it might be seen as disrespectful. The opposite is true: I find what we see here so impressive and so beautiful that I would like to be able to show it to the people at home. With only the best of intentions.

Later that evening, we make another appointment to visit the modern museum of the prophet. Then we walk back to the hotel and say goodbye to our guide. He has given us four unforgettable days and we will not forget him soon. A thousand thanks.

After an extensive buffet dinner at the hotel, we head to the museum. The city, and especially the area around the mosque, are even more impressive in the evening light.

In the beautiful museum, we are given an overview of the most important events in the life of Muhammad during a guided tour lasting about thirty minutes. Once again, everything is explained very clearly and carefully, without ever becoming tedious.

At the end of the visit, I shake hands with the imam who gave us the tour and tell him that, as Christians, thanks to this visit, we no longer need to judge Islam on the basis of vague prejudices, but can now form an opinion based on real knowledge. I also tell him that, thanks in part to his explanations, we now have a better understanding of the good that the Prophet Muhammad left behind. He seems genuinely touched by these words and wishes us a pleasant stay in his city and in his country.

Then it's time to go to bed, because tomorrow we have a train journey to Jeddah ahead of us for our penultimate day of vacation.

Today, too, especially because we learned so much, another solid 10/10.

Day 9 – Train journey to Jeddah and city tour

At 8:45 a.m., our driver will be ready to take us to the train station, where we will take the high-speed train to Jeddah. The station itself is well worth seeing. We depart from here at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Jeddah an hour and 45 minutes later.

Here too, there is another beautiful station building, complete with restaurants, shops, and even a supermarket. We are almost used to it by now, but once again we are met punctually by our driver - and by the beaming smile of our guide, a young woman who will be showing us around today.

During the drive to the hotel, we get our first impression of this thriving port city. Despite the size of the population - approximately 3.5 million in the city and more than 6 million in the entire metropolitan area - the traffic is not too bad. The many construction projects also show that the city is undergoing rapid development. It is clear that Jeddah has a strong appeal to young people who want to build their future here.

Around noon, we arrive at Shada, our last hotel. It is very well located on a quiet street, with a wide choice of restaurants and cafés nearby. The fact that one of the luxury hotels along the corniche overlooking the Red Sea was not chosen here is probably due to the price, because Jeddah really attracts the cream of the crop. The presence of a circuit for the annual Formula 1 race is a good example of this.

We arrange with the guide when she will pick us up later for a visit to the old city center and the corniche along the coast. After a drive of about half an hour in a very comfortable car, we arrive in Al-Balad, as the historic center is called here.

The buildings here have truly unique architecture, with beautifully crafted wooden balconies and terraces. Several buildings are currently being restored. It is already impressive, but in a few years, visitors will undoubtedly be spoiled for choice when it comes to admiring all this beauty.

We stroll through a number of charming streets and visit the souks. While chatting with the guide, we decide to eat at one of the famous fish restaurants. It takes a while to find a free table, but eventually, on the guide's recommendation, we order some local specialties.

The dishes are served faster than expected, and once again, everything is done with natural ease and friendliness. It makes me think that Saudi Arabia clearly knows how to raise and educate young people. I feel that we in the West could perhaps learn something from this. Congratulations, Saudi Arabia.

The fresh fish tastes delicious, of course, and we enjoy it to the fullest. Afterwards, the guide treats us to a cappuccino in the most famous coffee shop in the city center.

Next, we visit a small clothing market. It is striking how easily Monique and the guide talk to each other. Later, Monique tells us that she learned a lot from those conversations about how young Saudis view their future. Their enthusiasm is contagious and makes us think: if only we could offer our Western children such an unshakeable belief in the future.

But at that moment, we just enjoy the conviviality. A little later, it gets even better when we walk along the corniche on the coast. We take a seat in comfortable chairs with a view of the highest fountain in the world, while the sun slowly sets.

It is a moment of tranquility as people stroll along the promenade. What also strikes us is that no one disturbs the couples who are enjoying their happiness hand in hand. Those were the days, we think with a smile.

After another fifteen minutes' drive in the comfortable car, we are back at the hotel, where, after a good night's sleep, we prepare for our last day.

Today again 10/10.

Day 10 – Boat trip on the Red Sea with swimming opportunity

After a delicious à la carte breakfast at the hotel, our guide and driver pick us up again in their luxury car to take us to the marina. There we see all the facilities you would expect from a modern marina, plus an impressive number of powerful motorboats and some truly enormous yachts. Fortunately, enjoying the view is free.

A friendly owner welcomes us aboard his spacious boat, after which our trip across the Red Sea can begin. With Sudan somewhere on the other side, the powerful engines take us to a sandbank in about half an hour, where we can swim and snorkel. During the trip, we have a constant view of the Kingdom Tower, which is still under construction. With its current height of about 600 meters, this building will become the tallest in the world once it exceeds one kilometer in height - another impressive jewel in the crown of Jeddah.

On the boat, the captain makes sure we can change our clothes. Monique, originally from the Netherlands and an excellent swimmer, is the first to jump into the Red Sea. A little later, I follow her, although I am a little more cautious and enter the water via the ladder. May, who as the daughter of a farmer never had the opportunity to learn to swim, watches the scene with amusement from the deck.

Our guide also turns out to be an excellent swimmer. She and Monique stay in the water the longest and then take the time to do some snorkeling. The high salt content of the Red Sea is clearly noticeable and makes it very easy to float as a swimmer. This allows you to stay in the water for a long time without getting tired quickly.

After all that swimming, we start to feel hungry. The captain prepares a simple but delicious meal for us with fresh salad and tasty pieces of salmon, which we eat on board while enjoying the view.

I tell the guide that we did see some fish in the clear water, but that to really get a good picture of the underwater life of the Red Sea, we should perhaps visit the city's marine aquarium. Is that still possible today? Her answer is immediately enthusiastic: as soon as we are back in the harbor, we will drive there. That will complete our Red Sea experience.

The captain then lets us feel the power of his engines and takes us back to the harbor in about twenty minutes. From there, we drive straight to the sea aquarium. It may not be the largest aquarium in the world, but it still gives a very nice picture of the underwater life of the Red Sea. We see various colorful coral fish that we have never seen anywhere else.

This completes our visit to Jeddah. When we arrive back at the hotel, the guide tells us that she will be there again tonight when we are picked up for the transfer to the airport for our flight home. So for now, we say goodbye.

We take a walk through the street near the hotel and sit down at a terrace for one last delicious meal. It is noticeable that most of the guests here are Westerners, something that the restaurant owner also seems to have noticed. The background music is subtly adjusted and soon we even hear some of our favorite songs playing.

What a pleasant way to end a breathtaking journey. Today, once again, 10/10.

Day 11 – Back home

Thanks to the late check-out, we can still get a few hours of sleep before being taken to the airport shortly after midnight. The beautiful and enormous airport building is bustling with activity, and we are glad that the guide helps us get through all the formalities quickly.

After checking in our luggage and having our hand luggage inspected, we say goodbye to her. Thanks to her, we had a wonderful time in Jeddah. What's more, she helped us gain a better understanding of how people in Saudi Arabia approach and experience relationships and private life – something we knew very little about before. It has undoubtedly made us wiser and helps us to better understand this country and its culture.

After that, two smooth flights bring us safely back home. We look back on a fantastic travel experience. Saudi Arabia will forever have a place in the top five countries we have ever visited.

Finally, we would like to thank Gábor, Jessica, and their entire team for the excellent organization of this trip. Thanks to their approach, you get to see an incredible amount, but never feel exhausted. The quality of their organization is truly top-notch.

Wim, May, and Monique, thank you very much for this wonderful, detailed travelogue of your trip through Saudi Arabia.