Heart of Arabia: deserts & skyscrapers

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will enjoy the full Jeddah experience. Your day starts with a tour of the ever-growing urban developments that are transforming the city into a megalopolis. Admire the skyscraping ambition of the Jeddah Tower, enjoy the peaceful waterfront scenery of the Corniche, marvel at the record-breaking 300 m height of King Fahd’s Fountain, stop by the bustling fish market, and take in Tayebat International City’s architectural and cultural display.

Next, explore the city’s historical center starting with a tour of Beit Salloum’s elegant house-turned-museum before stopping for some leisure time and lunch at your own expense at the local mall, where you can choose among their extensive restaurant selection. 

In the afternoon, visit the Floating Mosque (Al Rahmah mosque), an architectural marvel merging islamic tradition and modernity on the Red Sea. End your day at the city’s marina, from where you can see the fastest Formula 1 street circuit in the world located on the Corniche, and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the sea. Overnight stay in Jeddah.

Breakfast at the hotel. Start your way into the heart of Arabia. After a scenic transfer through vast deserts and mountainous landscapes you will reach the Enlightened City of Medina at midday, just in time to enjoy lunch at a local mall, at your own expense. Built by the Prophet Muhammad and his final place of rest, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) is one of the holiest places of Islam. Its striking green dome and ten minarets look over the millions of pilgrims that visit the site yearly. To enjoy a better view, you can walk up Mount Uhud, where the Battle of Uhud took place between the Prophet’s forces and the Muslims from Mecca.

Next, walk over to the Quba Mosque, where the first stone of the first ever mosque was set before strolling on to the Ethiq garden and well, where local tribes welcomed the Prophet and his troops after fleeing from Mecca.

Finish your day by returning to Al-Masjid, now illuminated, to witness the thousands of worshipers attending prayer. Enjoy your included dinner and overnight stay in Medina.

Total transfer time: Approx. 5 hours | 263 miles / 423 kms

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue your journey through the breathtaking Saudi desert landscapes to one of the most spectacular oases in the world: AlUla.

Start your visit by exploring Dadan and its 2,000 year old Lion Tombs, expertly carved directly into the red stone cliff faces, before moving on to the Elephant Rock (Jabal Al Fil), an impressive 170 ft / 52 m tall rock formation eroded by the elements and time into the shape of the large mammal. Included dinner and overnight stay in AlUla.

Total transfer time: Approx. 4.5 hours | 219 miles / 352 kms