If you are looking for a destination with a difference, then look no further – AlUla in Saudi Arabia may be just the place for you!
There is a sense of stillness to this magical place that you experience when you are there, plus it offers so much more – outdoor adventure, wellness, Heritage and entertainment.
I stayed at the Habitas AlUla, which lies within the desert Canyons of the Ashar Valley. The resort has a real tranquil beauty about it with the collection of private Villas sympathetically designed to fit into the surrounding area. These beautiful Villas all have a canyon view and are both luxurious and comfortable and should you decide to upgrade your room you will be provided with a Telescope for Star Gazing as well. The Restaurant, Pool , Bar and Spa are reachable by either calling for a Golf Buggy or e-bike (provided for each Villa) if you don’t want to walk. The resort has a full programme of wellness activities – I took part in a ‘Moonlight Sound Bath’ which meant lying on a rug on the sand, between the Canyons, both stargazing and meditating, listening to very gentle music – it was a wonderful experience. The emphasis here is on both luxury and relaxation plus they have added a fun element with a Canyon full of Trampolines and huge swings to use if you want.
Visiting the surrounding area is a must and we started with the Maraya – a fully functioning multi-purpose venue hosting events, concerts & VIP experiences – it is the largest mirrored building in the world and was designed to blend into the surrounding area. Apparently, the likes of Mariah Carey and Seal have performed there.
We also headed to the iconic monument of Hegra, which is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the very southernmost Nabtaean city and sister city of Petra. Featuring monumental tombs dating back from the 1st Century, it was an incredible sight.
A visit to AlUla’s most iconic rock formation – Elephant Rock – is a must. A result of millions of years wind and water erosion it stands 50 m high and has a distinct body and trunk! You can sit and enjoy watching the colours of the rock change as the sun goes down, in wonder!
AlUla’s Old Town is absolutely breath-taking – when you walk around it - it is like travelling back in time. Not only does it have charm with its stone and mudbrick buildings but it has tightly packed streets and small shops that give you an insight as to what life would have been like many years ago.
My Helicopter ride was awesome – flying over the area it struck me how green AlUla was in parts – an unforgettable view of the AlUla Oasis with its millions of palm trees spread below me and seeing the heritage sites and landmarks from above was amazing. But I think my favourite activity was when we were taken out into the desert one evening for Stargazing. A car drive for about an hour – away from any light – looking up at the night sky and surrounded by rock formations we experienced the enchantment of the desert with stargazing and stories told to us by an expert astronomer - It was incredible.
Not only does AlUla have mind-blowing scenery but for the more adventurous you can visit the Adventure Hub where you can zipwire or swing from a high Canyon - I wasn’t brave enough to do this!! To be honest I don’t think a destination has affected me like AlUla has. Yes, we stayed in a fantastic hotel and the weather was fabulous but it was more than that. There maybe no alcohol allowed but in terms of the food, the people who are so welcoming and what the destination has to offer, it was very special. It is totally unspoilt by tourism and I really hope that it stays that way, as for a holiday experience, for me it had everything and more.
A massive ‘Thank you ‘ to If Only, who invited me on this trip and to Miles Morgan who allowed me to go. If you would like more information on this destination then please let me know!
