Luxury Saudi & the Red Sea

Jeddah, known as the ‘Bride of the Red Sea’, has been the port for nearby Mecca for centuries. Start your sightseeing at the Tayebat Museum – a fine example of traditional Hijazi architecture – then drive along the beautiful manicured modern seafront Corniche to the ‘floating Mosque’. This afternoon the new city is juxtaposed with the old as you walk through Mecca Gate and enter Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Al Balad district. The lively souqs and multi-story houses built of coral stone with their distinctive ‘roshan’ wooden windows provide a fascinating insight into an age-old way of life in Saudi Arabia.

Travel by High-Speed train to Medina – Islam’s second most holy city. Anciently known as Yathrib, the city was renamed Medina by the Prophet Mohammad after he and his followers were welcomed following their flight from Mecca – an event known as the ‘Hijrah’. Pilgrims recreate this journey every year as part of the Hajj. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the city’s mosques – but can now visit the previously off-limits ‘Haram’ area where the main places of pilgrimage, including the vast Prophet’s Mosque, are located. After an orientation tour and lunch overlooking the Prophet’s Mosque, you will be transferred to AlUla.

AlUla’s stunning natural beauty as well as its fascinating past will be revealed on today’s tour. Your first stop will be the Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building. A private tour in a vintage-style Land Rover with a local ‘Rawi’ (storyteller) will then take you to the 2000-year-old city of Dadan (noted for its Lion Tombs) and to Jabal Ikmah’s to see the centuries-old rock art. Then, stroll along AlUla’s shaded Heritage Oasis Trail and enjoy the sight of tens of thousands of palm trees. Set off this afternoon on a 4WD desert adventure to see the striking desert canyons, golden dunes, and weathered terracotta-hued mountains that lie just outside AlUla. Conclude your sightseeing with a visit to Elephant Rock.

The morning will be at leisure in AlUla to relax and enjoy the views and facilities at your hotel (a car will be at your disposal). Alternatively, we can arrange for a wide range of adventurous activities (supplements apply) that include a dawn hot-air balloon flight over AlUla, heli-sightseeing to view five of AlUla’s great landmarks or a Dune Buggy experience. This afternoon discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra on a private tour in a vintage-style Land Rover with a local ‘Rawi’ (storyteller). The fabulously situated tombs of the ‘second Petra’ are considered Saudi Arabia’s premier cultural attraction. Built by the Nabataean Arabs between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, Hegra had been ‘lost’ to the world until its ‘rediscovery’ in 1876.

A morning’s transfer will bring you through the desert and Sarawat mountains to the pristine Red Sea coast. On arrival, board a yacht to your secluded and luxurious 90-key resort in the Ummahat archipelago. Here, you can choose to book a beachfront Sunset Dune Villa or an overwater Sunset Coral Villa. Each spacious villa has a private sundeck and pool. After check-in, the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Today will be at leisure at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort on Ummahat Island where you will be able to enjoy the signature St Regis Butler service, panoramic ocean views, fine dining, and a wide range of sport sports. The scuba diving and snorkelling on the Saudi side of the Red Sea is particularly fine.

Today will be at leisure at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort on Ummahat Island.

Private transfer to either Red Sea International Airport or Yanbu Prince Abdulmohsen Bin Abdulaziz International Airport and check in for your onward flight.