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COMBINE AL ULA WITH DUBAI FOR THE PERFECT ARABIAN ADVENTURE

Saudi Arabia is making huge waves among the travel cognoscenti as the latest destination to open its borders after decades of relative isolationism. Chief among its draws is the UNESCO-approved hub of Al Ula, an ancient and spectacular Arabic oasis city. By combining Al Ula with Dubai, you’ll experience the best of both ancient and modern Arabia. Once an upstart itself, Dubai is long established as one of the most visitor-friendly destinations in the Middle East due to its phalanx of luxury hotels, world-class restaurants, and surprisingly weighty cultural attractions. Here is a rundown of how a twin-country pairing of Dubai and Saudi Arabia offers visitors a heady taste of Arabia.

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DUBAI

From its origins as a slightly dowdy port on the Gulf, Dubai is now a place synonymous with glamour, excess and the ultimate in luxury.
 
It’s a place of megalithic shopping malls where visitors can combine a world-class aquarium and indoor skiing with their retail therapy, towering chrome and glass skyscrapers and land reclamation projects that stretch the credulity of Mother Nature to its very limit.
 
Indeed, to those who like a hefty sprinkling of glam with their sun, sea and sand, Dubai’s reputation as a place where the ‘good life’ can be taken to its most fantastical apogee is a large part of its appeal.
 
By day the endless beaches, the azure waters of the Persian Gulf, and the mind-boggling shopping options provide diversion while big name restaurants and glitzy bars become the focal point when the sun slips into the horizon.
 
Yet while most visitors tend to focus their attention on the beach and the city’s glitzy attractions, there’s plenty of substance to be found throughout the UAE.
 
A ride across the Creek from Bur Dubai to Deira in an abra – a traditional wooden ferry boat – is a great way to see the city while attractions such as Deira’s spice and gold souks offer a revealing glimpse of Dubai’s historic side.
 
Other options include dune bashing in the desert, a seaplane flight over the city and day trips to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, neighboring emirates with standout cultural highlights such as the stunning Louvre and the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

WHERE TO STAY:

Atlantis The Royal

There is no shortage of luxury hotel product in Dubai. With 795 rooms and suites, 17 restaurants and bars, 17 high-end boutiques, a wellness space spanning 32,300 square feet and multiple swimming pools, including one perched high on top of the sky bridge, the new Atlantis, The Royal is luxury on a grand scale. Other Remote Lands favorites in Dubai include the Armani Hotel located downtown and the iconic Burj Al-Arab with its jaw-droppingly massive and ornate suites fit for royalty.

AL ULA

Al Ula is home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the Kingdom’s most compelling destinations.
 
The draw to Al Ula is its remarkable natural rock formations and canyons, extensive and varied pre-Arabic rock art, and immaculately preserved tombs built more than 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans. Prime stops include the site of Hegra where visitors can explore more than 100 well-preserved monumental tombs, most with elaborate facades carved from rock formations scattered around the desert.
 
Before the Nabataeans, Al Ula was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dadan. You’ll take a journey even further back in time by observing the remarkably well-preserved cliffside tombs dating from this period carved from a red-rock mountain face. Also fascinating is Al Ula old city, which rewards exploration of its maze-like streets.
 
Elephant Rock is a key site in an area rich in historical and geographical significance. Set in golden desert sands and climbing into the blue Arabian skies, the rock (also known as Jabal Alfil) is one of Al Ula’s most impressive geological marvels and especially so at sunset. Unlike the ornate, hand-carved facades of nearby Hegra’s Nabataean tombs, the "trunk" and "body" of this monolithic red sandstone beast were shaped by natural forces.
 
One of the best ways to experience Al Ula is by way of a helicopter ride over its spectacular sites. Other highlights of the destination include its plethora of adventure experiences such as ATV, abseiling and ziplining, and the stargazing opportunities at Gharameel.

WHERE TO STAY:

Banyan Tree Al Ula

Banyan Tree Al Ula is a desert retreat located in one of the world’s most mysterious and exciting travel destinations, inspired by the natural surroundings of the Ashar Valley. Elsewhere, the Habitas Al Ula is an upscale adults-only hotel that brings luxury living to Al Ula in an eco-friendly manner. Aman has also announced hotel plans, which we are very excited about, but there is no fixed opening date as of now.

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