Saudi Arabia Holiday

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a land of almost constant sunlight, vast deserts, white beaches and ancient history.

Settled around four or five thousand years ago, the region is the heart of the Arab race and of Islam, with two of the Muslim religion's holiest cities.

Situated north of Yemen and bordering both the Red Sea and the Persian Sea, 95 per cent of the country is desert and it has a population of just over 24 million people.

Saudi Arabia's riches come largely from oil and the evidence of money is apparent in the country's vast shopping centres and opulent new buildings. Oil was discovered in the country by Chevron in 1938 and production rose rapidly, though it has tailed off slightly in recent years.

The birthplace of Wahhabism, a strict form of Islam, Saudi Arabia is an ally of the west, but also has strict rules and laws governing its citizens in accordance with Muslim principles.

Saudi Arabia itself was founded in 1902 when Abd Al-Aziz bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh and began to unify the Arabian Peninsula. The kingdom is still ruled by one of his sons, though its government is currently phasing in political reforms, with nationwide elections held last year.

The Saudi capital Riyadh has a population of around three million and is a glass and steel metropolis, with vast modern skyscrapers. Both Riyadh and the second city Jeddah lack nightclubs and bars, but are home to cafes, souks and modern amenities. Both cities are packed with shopping opportunities, from extravagant gold jewellery to designer labels and traditional handicrafts.

Mecca, the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, is Islam's holiest city and all devout Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage to the ancient site during their lifetime. However, Mecca and the holy sites around it are off limits to non-Muslims.

The deserts of Saudi Arabia have beautiful oases, dramatic sandy mountains and rivers and there are a number of interesting historical and archaeological sites to visit, including the old deserted Arabic village of Habalah.

The magical Madain Saleh home to 131 ancient tombs carved by the Nabataeans, who also built the city of Petra in Jordan, is a must see. A permit is required to visit the well preserved site, which consists of breathtaking rock formations in a landscape of sweeping sand.

A number of ultra-exclusive resorts have sprung up in recent years, though there are also cheaper places to stay by the beach and resorts dotted along the coastlines.

Cooler in the winter and incredibly hot in summer, Saudi Arabia is pleasant in spring and autumn, with very low rainfall and much cooler temperatures in the desert during the night.

A growing number of travel companies offer expensive package holidays and tours to Saudi Arabia and there are regular flights from the UK operated by several airlines. Visas are officially restricted to business travellers and Muslim pilgrims, but are becoming easier to obtain for tourists through travel companies.

The official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic, with English widely spoken in the cities and resorts. Accommodation in the country tends to be modern, clean and of a very high standard.