Rehlat, an online travel agency in MENA, has chosen an oasis, a mountain range and a valley of roses as KSA's top summer getaways.
The oasis: Al Ahsa
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| Source: Rehlat blog post with travel inspirations for a day in Al Ahsa. |
Al Ahsa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Guinness World record holder as the largest self-contained oasis in the world. The area hosts Jawatha Mosque, a mosque dating back 1,400 years, and Qasr Ibrahim - an Ottoman era castle that is a mix of Islamic and military architecture.
Adventure junkies can drive a 4x4 to Yellow Lake or hike Al Qarah mountain. Yellow Lake is known for its bird life including eagles, warblers and plovers, while Al Qarah mountain features canyons and caves.
Another World Heritage Site is Souq Al Qaisariya, a 600-year-old souq that still sells spices, prayer beads, incense and luxury goods.
The mountain: Aseer
Home to Saudi's highest peak, Jabal Sawda which is over 3,000 m high, Aseer is 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the country, making it a hot favourite in summer. Aseer has multiple peaks to conquer. Besides Jabal Sawda, there are Jabal Thera and Tanomah.
Visit Rijal Almaa - the gingerbread village - or Al Muftaha village, which is dotted with murals, painted homes, and mosque calligraphy.
Aseer is also where you'll find the Flower Men, who keep the ancient tradition of weaving decorative headgear with herbs, flowers and leaves alive.
The valley: Taif
Taif, also known as the city of roses, is unofficially the summer capital of KSA thanks to its pleasant climate, fragrant roses, sweeping valleys, the abundant fruits. Trek up the Al Hada mountains and zip-line across the Sarawat Mountain range. Visit the Saiysad National Park, or sample pomegranates, grapes, and figs at the source. A visit to the rose gardens is a must, as is buying rose oil on-site.
Explore
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