Saudi Arabia is the fifth largest country in all of Asia. Almost four fifths of the Arabian Peninsula is occupied by Saudi Arabia. To the north, it shares borders with Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait; to the east, the Persian Gulf, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman; to the south and southwest, Yemen; and to the west, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.

The ideal time to visit Saudi Arabia is in the winter, as the summer is extremely hot with temperatures reaching up to 50C. Due to the country’s harsh desert climate and the lack of shade at archaeological sites, it is advisable to visit when the weather is cooler. Although the official tourist season runs from October to March, November and February are the ideal months to travel because they are the mildest. In Riyadh, the daily maximum temperature averages 28°C in November but dips to 22°C in December. Mountains have a colder climate, and the south endures the Indian Ocean monsoon.

Food has a significant place in traditional Saudi Arabian society as a sign of hospitality. Their nation’s heritage is characterised by generosity, friendliness, and a spirit of sharing, so you can expect huge portions of food. In Saudi Arabian culture, the most typical foods include rice, spices, chicken, lamb, yoghurt, potatoes, bread, and dates. A flavourful rice dish called Ruz Al Bukhari is frequently served with roast chicken. The dish comes with a hot tomato sauce on the side and is seasoned with a variety of spices including cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and star anise. It is frequently garnished with raisins and fried onions. Warm and delectable fool wa tameez is a brunch meal made of thick bread and mashed fava beans. This meal is frequently consumed during Suhoor and is particularly eaten throughout Ramadan (pre-dawn breakfast). F ava beans are prepared with spices, tomatoes, onions, and garlic cloves before being eaten with tameez (flatbread). Shawarma is a popular Arab meal that can be found practically anywhere. It is made of thinly sliced meat that is placed on top of each other and slowly grilled on a spit. The meat is then rolled into an Arabic bread called khubz, garnished with pickles, French fries, and tahini sauce, and served like a sandwich. Although chicken shawarmas are the most popular, you can typically find beef or lamb shawarmas as well.

Of all countries in the world, Saudi Arabia has the most oil. Islam is practised widely in Saudi Arabia, and Mecca and Medina are two of Islam’s holiest sites. Much of Saudi Arabia was populated by nomadic tribes before the seventh century. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca in the year 570 and brought numerous tribes of Saudi Arabia together in the seventh century. The Ottoman Empire rose to prominence in the region in the 16th century when it seized control of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. The House of Saud started to become powerful in the eighteenth century. Muhammad ibn Saud, the dynasty’s founder, established it, and it ruled until the Ottomans retook power in 1818. In the late 1800s, the Al Rashid family seized control. As the Ottoman Empire was overthrown in World War I, Saudi Arabia gained independence.

The beachfront city of Jeddah is awash in amusement parks. A must-see on the corniche is the 60,000 square metre Al Shallal Theme Park. The teacups that spin will delight little children, while The Train, one of the biggest double-loop rollercoasters in the world, will amaze teenagers looking for a thrilling ride. In the capital city of Riyadh, begin at the Riyadh Zoo, where you can see magnificent tigers stalk over grassland and experience the giant elephants. The zoo is home to more than 1500 animals. Following this, join a guided tour of the Al Masmak Palace Museum to explore the engaging exhibits and discover more about the fascinating history of Saudi Arabia.