TRAVELLERS' TALES OF SAUDI
Frankie Collins
We reveal the real-life, authentic travel testimonials of visitors to the fascinating nation that now welcomes the world, as well as unique experiences they had for the first time in Saudi...
Scroll down to read about Frankie's time in Saudi
Frankie fell in love with the wild landscapes and rich history of AlUla on a birthday trip for her boyfriend in April 2024 with Abercrombie & Kent. Here, she tells us why she was so enchanted by this Saudi region…
I’d never considered visiting Saudi before...
But when the chance to go there for my partner’s 30th birthday arose, I saw it as an opportunity to challenge my preconceptions and explore a largely untapped destination. My partner’s grandparents lived in Saudi in the 1980s, and working in luxury travel PR, I was well aware of the country’s recent opening to tourism. I was initially nervous, and I was especially curious to experience the country as a female traveller, given the media portrayals and the complexities surrounding women’s rights and guardianship.
One of the most illuminating aspects of our tour was...
Learning about the significant progress in women's rights within Saudi.
We delved into the transformative changes brought about by recent laws aimed at enhancing gender equality, and our guide provided insightful commentary on recent reforms such as the right to drive and greater involvement in the workforce.
We noticed a great deal of women working, and one of my favourite tours was around the ancient rock inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah, where we guided by a female rawi.
Before visiting, I wasn’t aware of Saudi’s
rich history
Learning about the Nabataean civilization and the connection between Petra and AlUla was fascinating. The Nabataeans were renowned for their control of trade routes, especially the Incense Route.
While Petra was their capital, AlUla played a vital role as an outpost within this network and it was super interesting to explore the tombs and uncover the history behind this.
My first
hot air balloon ride...
Was over AlUla's archaeological wonders and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience...
We set off just after 5am, before sunrise, and enjoyed a sweet date and aromatic cardamom-infused Arabic coffee as the balloons inflated around us.
Floating over Hegra, Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, we were treated to breathtaking aerial views of the ancient tombs below.
The landscapes of AlUla...
...feel as though you've stepped into the backdrop of a film set.
The lack of crowds at the archaeological sites made exploring the ancient tombs and rock formations even more special, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the stunning surroundings without the usual tourist rush.
I also particularly loved the art installations such as the open-air exhibition AlUla 1445 in the Old Town, which features images by artist Hassan Hajjaj who photographed local residents in February 2023. We also explored the ancient 12th century citadel and the old town of AlUla. Later, we watched the sunset over Elephant Rock, a truly unique gathering spot where locals come together to relax.
As well, we also visited Dadan and Jabal Ikmah in a vintage Land Rover before visiting Harrat Viewpoint for another beautiful sunset.
The locals were incredibly friendly and engaging...
They often asked where we were from and showing genuine interest in what brought us to their country. Our Saudi tour guide, who was around our age, made the experience even more special—sharing stories about his upbringing, culture, and his love for music and travel. One memorable moment was when a kind woman helped me adjust my hijab before I entered a mosque, making me feel comfortable and welcome.
I loved the oasis-to-plate ethos in AlUla
The food was wonderfully fresh and the fresh juices were stand-out. We stayed at Our Habitas AlUla, a sustainable resort perched amongst the desert canyons of the Ashar Valley.
Enclosed by sandstone cliffs, undulating pathways lead to a mix of private villas. We stayed in a Celestial Villa, adorned with intricate woven tapestries and equipped with a telescope and an outdoor shower, perfectly positioned beneath the celestial tapestry.
The acclaimed wellness programme features a range of rejuvenating experiences, including sunrise yoga, Tibetan tapping – an emerging favourite – art tours, breathwork and a transcendent canyon sound bath that elevated us to a state of blissful euphoria as we ambled home. The desert oasis – framed by craggy mountains – was complete bliss.
I'm grateful to have had this travel experience
I would highly encourage
others to visit
I feel incredibly lucky, and the entire trip still feels very surreal. If I visited Saudi again, I'd like to visit Riyadh, and explore the more mountaineous regions such as the Asir Mountains.
Feeling inspired by Frankie's travel tales?
Now you've been given a flavour of what the real Saudi is like, it's time to start planning your own Arabian adventure there yourself...
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