From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace, and spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travelers for centuries.
We arrived at al-Madīnah, the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca. The city lies 625 meters above sea level on a fertile oasis. It is bounded east by an extensive lava field and on the other three sides by the Hejaz mountain range. Unlike Mecca, Al-Madīnah is open to everyone...
We knew there should be a nice wadi on the way to Al-Madīnah. But on Google, we didn’t find anything about it, so it took us an hour, with the help of locals, to find the correct way to the wadi. It’s a lovely spot for overnight. Still, except for sounds of nature, you will...
The motto of the city is “Jeddah is Different.” And they are right. The city is the perfect blend of old and modern. The historic crossroads of pilgrims and traders and the traditional gateway to Mecca, Jeddah is the most fascinating of Saudi Arabia’s major cities, with...
We spent the whole afternoon alone on the long stretch of white sand beach Al-Nuhud near Al-Birk. Someone put a lot of money into building a 3-lane road around the beach, parking bays, and every hundred meters toilets with showers. So it’s the perfect spot to relax after some long...