Edwards, Grace: Saudi Arabia

Written by a female Middle East expert, Bradt’s Saudi Arabia is the first English-language travel guide from a mainstream publisher that focuses exclusively on the Kingdom. Now open for general tourism following wide-ranging reforms, the difference between Saudi Arabia’s image and reality will surprise even seasoned travelers. With detailed information on what to see and do, accommodation and restaurant listings, guidance on cultural etiquette and advice for women visitors (who can travel more freely than popularly believed), this book provides advice essential for tourists keen to explore this exciting destination. Saudi Arabia will appeal to adventure travelers, offering activities including pristine, world-class scuba diving and mountain-trekking. With dramatic scenery including a huge desert where you can camp like a Bedouin, plus many nature reserves, undisturbed landscapes abound. Culture vultures will appreciate pre-Islamic rock art, Nabatean heritage, Mada’in Saleh (the sister city to Jordan’s Petra in Jordan) and six UNESCO World Heritage Sites rarely visited by international tourists. Urbanites can explore Riyadh and Jeddah, where shopping opportunities range from traditional souqs to top-end malls. Gastronomists can enjoy varied cuisine, from fine dining worthy of Michelin stars via fast-food chains to traditional, communal meals served on the floor. All in a country where everyday life is safe and hassle-free, with theft and robberies almost unheard of, and social media embraced enthusiastically (albeit with the limits of Saudi sensitivities and sensibilities). This comprehensive guide dispels misinformation by providing an unbiased, up-to-date and comprehensive resource that accurately reflects what Saudi Arabia now offers all visitors. Most outsiders know little about the Kingdom other than from typically negative media coverage, so may be pleasantly surprised at its rich history and youthful population eager to extend hospitality to guests respecting their culture and traditions. Combining detailed travel information about the entire Kingdom (from the Northern Borders to Asir, and from Hejaz to Eastern Province) with a chapter explaining some of the main practices of and reasons for the hajj and umrah pilgrimages, plus contextual insights covering cultural etiquette, reforms and women travelers, Bradt’s Saudi Arabia is the perfect companion for people who thrive on off-the-beaten-path travel.