Via Robbie O’Brien in trailfinders.com: It is best to travel without preconceptions, but as so much has been written about Saudi it’s difficult not to have some put upon you by the media, others’ opinions, or hearsay. When walking around the capital, Riyadh’s streets felt clean and safe with locals sitting outside enjoying cafes and shisha bars, while western females had their hair down and shoulders on display. It was clear that Saudi is certainly no more oppressive or strict than Dubai is, and it didn’t feel any more religious either; we didn’t hear the atmospheric call to prayer until day four when we were much further south in the holy city of Medina. Just like how the UAE has developed over the last 20 years into a certified holiday destination, Saudi offers more of the same with reliable sun and warmth just a relatively short, direct flight away. But what Saudi can offer that Dubai and Abu Dhabi can’t, is the centuries of history that came before it, with fantastic museums, cultural experiences and UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore. Now is the perfect time to visit for everyone but especially those who are more adventurous and like to have been somewhere that others haven’t yet.
