ALLURING AlUla
If Only and Elegant Resorts partnered with the Royal Commission for AlUla in September to whisk a group of luxury agents to Saudi Arabia for a week of breathtaking sights, warm hospitality and distinctive appeal
SPECTACULAR SIGHTS
Scattered across AlUla’s otherworldly desert landscape is a wealth of architectural marvels, imposing rock formations and historical sites dating back thousands of years. Our expertly planned itinerary left no sight unseen, including exploring AlUla’s four main heritage sites: Hegra, the Old Town, Dadan ERH .EFEP -OQEL 8LI ½VWX WXST [EW XLI 3PH 8S[R EW XLI EKIRXW GLIGOIH MR JSV XLIMV ½VWX RMKLX EX (EV 8ERXSVE 8LI ,SYWI ,SXIP the only property to be carved from the 800-year-old mudbrick houses that were once an integral passage along the incense trading route through the Arabian Peninsula. After a dip in the rooftop pool, the group went for lunch at Lebanese restaurant Villa Fayrouz, before being led through the labyrinthine streets of the Old Town by a local rawi (storyteller) who recounted its rich history. The next day, a convoy of vintage Land Rovers awaited at ,IKVE ¯ 7EYHM %VEFME´W ½VWX 9RIWGS ;SVPH ,IVMXEKI 7MXI ¯ XS take agents on a cultural safari across the sun-baked desert plains. Epic sights were in abundance as the group explored centuries-old tombs carved from towering sandstone monoliths. ;LIR ZMWMXMRK (EHER ERH .EFEP -OQEL MR XLI JSPPS[MRK HE]W it became clear just how undiscovered AlUla is. Every day, archaeologists excavate the sites, uncovering artefacts and inscriptions that tell countless stories of civilisations past. 3R XLI ½REP QSVRMRK EKIRXW [IVI VSYWIH EX EQ JSV E sunrise hot-air balloon ride to view the incredible landscape of AlUla from an entirely new perspective.
Caption here please
Hot-air balloon ride at sunrise
Sandra Mutter Andara Travel
What surprised you most about AlUla? The whole region is essentially an open-air museum. I was also surprised at how close everything is. It has the wonder of Petra without all the travelling.
What were your highlights of the fam trip? The sunrise hot-air balloon ride over Hegra and meeting the locals, who are full of warmth and humour.
How would you package AlUla for your clients? I would do a twin-centre stay with Dubai or Qatar, with four nights in AlUla and three nights elsewhere for a beach break. For a week in AlUla, I would recommend four nights at Our Habitas and two nights in the Old Town.
Safe landing
Agents go ziplining
after hot-air balloon ride
CREDIT: Shutterstock/Abdullah Alshathri
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