A visit to a different universe.
The primary peak at Al Ula is from above, the place you possibly can watch the breathtaking AlUla rock formations out of your aircraft window, the place you’ll then land in what resembles a dream world not like some other. You are feeling as if you might be moving into a distinct universe.
As you step out of the airport, you might be welcomed with a dwell Qanun efficiency and an beautiful view of a horizon full of the symbolic and picturesque Al Ula rock formations.
Our first cease was the luxurious Shaden Resort, which is a 25-minute drive from the airport. This gave us sufficient time to ask our driver some primary vacationer questions with a view to get a way of what to anticipate. Upon reaching the resort, your first step into a shocking reception tent, the place espresso is served as you full your check-in.
The rooms are all geared up with a small balcony overlooking a mesmerizing backdrop that makes for a exceptional morning view. The resort can also be geared up with golf automobiles that may escort you wherever you want across the resort, which additionally incorporates a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner buffets with a wide range of cuisines obtainable.
On the primary day, we explored the historic previous city in Al Ula, the place we walked alongside the streets alongside the Al Ula rocks in your proper, and a view of the previous properties on the left. The market avenue within the previous city now consists of retailers and eating places that provide the genuine conventional expertise, whereas serving Saudi delicacies and promoting conventional souvenirs. The little boutiques promote a wide range of souvenirs and antiques, nevertheless, it’s also possible to discover extra fashionable institutions like Virgin Megastore and Dunkin Donuts, supplying you with a superb mixture of the previous and the brand new!
After our stroll by means of the previous city, we headed to the thrilling opening ceremony of the Winter in Tantora competition. Included was a riveting theatrical play that aimed to spotlight the historical past of town and its tradition. The actors have been wearing conventional winter apparel and even featured a couple of Arabian horses and camels.
The opening of the competition was accompanied by numerous cubicles the place locals got an opportunity to promote their genuine and hand-crafted merchandise. From fruits, sweets, souvenirs, and even cleaning soap bars, the cubicles had native ladies showcasing their merchandise and interesting in pleasant dialog with every passerby, providing product samples and loads of Arabic espresso.
After trying out the cubicles, the organizers took us to a small land close to the competition space with a view to partake within the planting of seasonal vegetation akin to rosemary, mint, and basil, the place we have been capable of study extra concerning the agricultural specifics of those vegetation.
We then headed to Sadu Escape, a spot between beautiful rocks that had a sequence of tents with their very own particular person themes akin to scents, previous practices, kashtas, and extra. The welcoming tent takes you on a sensory journey with the standard Bakhoors and pure scents they produce in themselves on the Sadu Escape. The remaining tents embody conventional stitching practices and a present store promoting distinctive equipment and clothes. It’s the excellent place to finish your evening, the place you possibly can calm down and unwind while listening to regional music and having fun with the heat of the hearth pits.
On the second day, after breakfast, we headed to Pangea Safari Membership for a safari journey. The automobiles have been classic Toyota 4×4 automobiles with no roof supplying you with the clearest view of the Sharaan Nature Reserve and uplifting your expertise in each attainable method. There are not any phrases to explain the great thing about the landscapes witnessed. Wherever you look, you’ll be met with a panoramic view. If you happen to look shut sufficient on the rock formations, you might be sure to see acquainted on a regular basis shapes and descriptions as a result of summary artwork present in these mind-blowing rocks.
The journey is round 3 hours lengthy with three stops at completely different landmarks to study concerning the inscriptions on the rocks made by historic civilizations such because the Nabataeans; who’re mentioned to have give you the roots of the Arabic language we all know right now.
We have been then escorted again to the start line of the tour, the place we have been served espresso and freshly picked oranges, homegrown in native gardens.
Our third and remaining day made an early begin with a guided tour of the archeological wonders of Hegra. We have been knowledgeable that the dimensions of the tombs of the Nabataeans relied on their social class. The larger the tomb, the richer the particular person was, with the longest tomb being roughly 23 meters lengthy!
We additionally explored Ithlib Mountain, the place giant rooms have been crafted contained in the rocks of the mountains the place they held their conferences in historic occasions. The rooms are as giant as they’re for one important objective; the echo. It allowed the audio system to be heard clearly with out having to lift their voices, which additionally created astounding acoustics for singers on the time. We ended our tour of Hegra on the famend “Face Rock”, a rock formation that has a really clear and distinct define of a face, which makes it a well-liked vacationer sight for memento pictures.
Our phenomenal journey to Al Ula was concluded by visiting the well-known Elephant Rock, some of the well-liked and majestic sights within the metropolis. It’s geared up with seating areas with a view to benefit from the view of the rock whereas feeling the chilly desert breeze and indulging in your favourite beverage.
Spending the weekend in Al Ula can solely be described as a very magical expertise. From the lodge service to the hospitality of the locals, in addition to the breathtaking views, the expertise is each sensational and extraordinary. A particular must-visit for anybody on the lookout for a getaway from the bustling metropolis life, in addition to any historical past and tradition lovers. Head to Al Ula for a soothing time that may certainly depart you wanting extra.
The Tantora Pageant is ongoing until the tip of February and is certainly value visiting a minimum of as soon as in a lifetime.
Until subsequent time Al Ula…
