Travel Guide

Madain Saleh  is the best known and most spectacular archaeological site in Saudi Arabia. Believed to have been occupied as long ago as 3000 years, it was the Nabateans that carved the tombs out of the rock, a mere 2000 years ago, for which it is now famous.  Their empire stretched from Damascus to the borders of Yemen – Madain Saleh prospered by levying huge taxes on traders plying the spice route from Yemen to Europe. Eighty monumental tombs in an area of 9 km2 suggest a sizeable population, especially in comparison with the seaport of Jeddah, at the time a mere 1km2.  Today the abandoned windswept site is eerily compelling.

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1. Fregate Island Tour GuideFregate Island Fregate, an island unique for its flora, fauna, and solitude, provides an ideal environment for becoming one with nature. Fregate is a 15-minute flight from Mahe.  The turboprop aircraft lands on a grassy airstrip and disembarks its passengers...
2. Old Jeddah City GuideOld Jeddah When you first arrive in Jeddah it can be difficult to get your bearings, physically and mentally.  If you live on a compound then you are sheltered from the city, living your daily life within the confines of...
3. Hofuf Travel GuideThe town of Hofuf is the centre of the Al-Hasa oasis which is one of the largest in the world. Until about a century ago, most of the dates in Europe came from here and the area remains one of...
4. Astove Island GuideAstove, an island only two miles long, is close by and due south of the Cosmoledo Group and also about a hundred miles east of Assumption and Aldabra. Even then, the island is totally out of sight from anywhere else....
5. Qatif Travel GuideHighlights : Qatif Thursday Market (Souq Al Khamis) Qatif Fish (Samak) evening Market Portugese Fort in Tarut Island. Getting There : Take the Jubail Highway north,  take exit signposted for Qatif (After Airport). 15 to 20 million years ago, most...
6. Praslin Island GuidePraslin, the island of the original “Garden of Eden” Image of a female Coco de Mer nut When Lazare Picault came ashore on Praslin in 1744, he was impressed by this unusual island paradise and the incredible luxuriance of its...
7. Bird Island GuideBird Island With the rustling of a million wings the sooty terns take flight at the human intrusion into their world. Image of nesting Sooty Terns Located about 50 miles northeast of Mahe and only 30 minutes by air and...
8. Cousin Island GuideCousin, one of the smaller granitic islands and an island for the birds.  A large sign with hand carved lettering proclaims, “This island belongs to the birds.  You are their guests.  Please do not disturb them.”  Cousin was purchased in...