Why You Should Consider A Trip To Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been making splashes in the tourism industry. We went there to see what the fuss was about. We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed it and how safe it is for women travelers.
The first time that I went to Saudi Arabia, the war in Israel had just begun a month before. As a woman traveler, I was incredibly nervous, not only by the war, but also the customs that I had only read about in the news. I can positively say that what I heard in the news was not what I saw once I arrived.
Al Ula
The first stop on this exciting trip was to the enchanting destination of Al Ula. However, to get there, you had to either take a flight to Riyadh or Jeddah from the United States. I decided to take the flight to the United States and then a short connecting flight over to Al Ula. Al Ula is located about an hour outside the main airport. I chose to rent a car to take me to Al Ula, and I’m so glad I made that decision. First, renting a car was incredibly easy and hassle-free, and second, I was able to explore many more attractions and hidden gems because I drove myself around the area. To my pleasant surprise, no one looked at me in a strange manner as a woman driver in Al Ula. During my stay, I opted for two of the top hotels in the region - Habitas and Banyan Tree. The hotel grounds were absolutely spectacular, and there was so much to do in and around the area! During my travels, I had the lovely opportunity to meet a black family from Jeddah who were traveling to Al Ula for a vacation. They had never met a black American before, and conversely, I had never met black individuals from Saudi Arabia before. We talked and laughed for what seemed like hours, enjoying our cultural exchange. One notable thing I observed was that women were playing prominent roles in the tourism industry in Al Ula. I have visited many countries, and only have had a handful of tours led by women, which made this experience all the more unique and noteworthy.
Riyadh
After leaving the beautiful Al Ula, I returned to the bustling city of Riyadh. While there are many English speakers in Al Ula, this was not the case in Riyadh. That didn’t matter, though, as the locals were incredibly friendly and eager to assist. I vividly remember getting lost late at night while trying to find an Uber to get back to my hotel. Thankfully, kind passersby stopped to help me find my bearings, ensuring I made it back safely. I didn’t feel unsafe at all while walking around late at night in Riyadh, which further added to the positive experience of my visit.
Final Thoughts
I would definitely recommend travel to Saudi Arabia for anyone seeking a unique experience. The country is clean, safe, and the people are warm and inviting. For women, I would not be apprehensive about visiting here, as many of the laws and regulations have changed significantly to foster inclusivity. Of course, you will need to dress conservatively to respect the local customs, but I didn’t find that to be a hindrance at all. In popular places like Al Ula, it is permissible to wear bathing suits while on the resort property and to have more revealing clothing in certain areas. The best time to travel would be from late October to February, as temperatures during that period are much more agreeable and pleasant.
Journey To Your Roots-West Africa edition
Journey To Your Roots-West Africa edition. We journeyed to Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia and Portugal. Found out what we discovered on the journey!
All of the group trips at AWFT are special. However, our Journey To Your Roots trip was probably our best.
The Journey To Your Roots trip crossed five different countries in two weeks.We flew to Kenya from New York and then journeyed to Ghana and Senegal by flight, Gambia by bus and finally Portugal by flight. The entire trip covered nearly 15,000 miles.
On our stop in Kenya we journeyed to a safari in Nairobi National Park. It was amazing to see wildlife set in the back drop of Nairobi City.
Our next stop was to Ghana. We arrived to fanfare with dancers and drummers! The Journey took us to the “Last Bath.” The Last Bath was the place where slaves took their last bath before being taken to the slave forts. It was a moving experience that left us in tears.
Four of the guests, standing together and posing for a photo on the historic site known as the Last Bath, shared a moment that was deeply profound. This was an incredibly moving experience that resonated powerfully with all of us, ultimately bringing us to tears as we reflected on the significance of the location and what it represents.
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Before we left the beautiful country of Ghana, we made a heartfelt stop at a charming local village, where we took the opportunity to deliver much-needed school supplies to the eager elementary age children. The entire village came out to meet us with smiles and open arms, celebrating our arrival with a warm sense of community. The young kids, filled with excitement and enthusiasm, remarked that they could hardly wait to go to school the very next day, looking forward to using the new supplies to aid their learning.
Our next stop was Senegal. We toured the slave fort at Goree Island and after set off for Gambia. The ride to Gambia allowed us to explore parts of Senegal.
Our trip to Gambia included stops at Kunte Kinteh Island where we were met one of Kunte Kinteh's relatives. It brought the 1970s Roots movie to life.
Finally, in Senegal we met with the lions! Each person got a chance to walk with lions and take pictures at the Fathala Lion Reserve. Before the trip, people were nervous about this experience, but it turned out to be the highlight of our trip.
On our Journey home, we made a stop in Portugal, where people were able to put together all of the history that they learned over the previous two weeks.
We’ve been asked if we will do this trip again and the answer is yes! Stay tuned for the updates!