I spent the weekend genuinely stunned by the natural beauty, fascinating history and rich heritage of Al Ula.
Set in a serene location 300km north of Medina, I boarded a plane from Riyadh as one of a group of journalists from the GCC to explore the city’s archaeological treasure trove.
Turns out, Al Ula was an essential stop between the Mediterranean region and the Asian continent, with its valley creating a perfect environment for civilisations such as the Dedanites, Lihyanites, Nabataens and even the Romans to settle and flourish.
Saudi authorities aim to turn the city into a world-class tourist destination by developing it into one of the country’s most important archaeological and cultural destinations.
And, trust me, they’re not going to find any trouble marketing Al Ula, with sites such as the Elephant Rock, Madain Saleh, Dadan, and the Old Town, along with intricate thousand-year-old stone carvings found on parts of the mountain range.
The city is also geared up to host adventure seekers with hiking trails, camping trips, 4x4 excursions and hot air balloon rides.
