Saudi Arabia Travel Guide

Saudi Arabia OVERVIEW

Let's leave aside the incomprehensible practices of Islam and the alleged links to international terrorism, which is truly an easier said than done case here, where Christianity faces persecution, adultery is punishable with death, and the government frequently comes under criticism for not doing enough to stanch the flow of al-Qaida financing. Yet, try to suppress prejudice and not look at the country through the lens of Muslim extremism, of which we all probably have little idea much as we believe we're experts. Regardless of what you've already taken for granted, Saudi Arabia is worth exploring with an open mind and due respect for the local customs. Read up on them a bit before you leave. That's what we normally do wherever we go, don't we?

But it's not the code of conduct we are meaning to talk about in here. It's about a country that has spent long time warding off any intrusion but finally let outsiders penetrate its forbidding borders. Slowly but surely. The select few who are luckily granted visas will discover the Middle East pearls such as Madain Saleh, a splendid archaeological site with about 130 dwellings and tombs that extend over some 13 kilometers or the unyielding Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter)- a sand-riddled world of harsh extremes, yet home to a Bedouin society trying to compromise its traditional values with the prosperity bestowed upon the Arab land in the form of abundant oil deposits.

Mecca and Medina would most probably stun you with their religious splendor and the fervor of annual Hajj ceremonies, but as it is strictly forbidden for non-Muslims to enter the holy cities on any account, you will have to go without it and content yourselves with neighboring Jeddah. It's of little religious significance itself (only a gateway to Mecca) but it, too, has plentiful mosques and its sparkling coastline compensates for whatever you've not been admitted to elsewhere.

We're not urging, but definitely recommending, even for the sole purpose of contrastive analysis with relatively progressive Tunisia. Plus we do believe you'll be able to appreciate Saudi Arabia's architectural and environmental value as well.