An oasis of hidden gems awaits
SAUDI ARABIA isn't just a place of pilgrimage for Muslims; it is a melting pot of cultural transformation and enduring heritage.
Visitors will discover a land rich in remarkably well-preserved historical relics – thanks in large part to the fact that the country only opened its doors to the world in 2019.
If you're eager to uncover the country's timeless charms beyond the buzz of its modern capital, Apple Vacations' 10D7N tour to this Middle Eastern gem offers a chance to explore its hidden treasures.
Where the past meets the future
Standing proudly at the heart of the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh is the Al Masmak Fortress, a 160 year-old citadel.
Made of clay and mud bricks, its towering walls and formidable structure make it one of Saudi Arabia's best-preserved historic landmarks.
First built as a palace, it now functions as a museum and a symbol of the country's power and rule.
Just a 10-minute drive from the fortress is the Saudi National Museum. The eight-gallery museum traces the journey of the universe's origins through the eras of the Arab Kingdoms and pre-Islamic times, culminating in the unification of Saudi Arabia.
With more than 3,700 artifacts on display, it gives visitors an in-depth look into the country's rich history and cultural heritage spanning several millennia.
For a shopping experience filled with old-world charm, you'll find a treasure trove of items at Souq Al Zal, one of Saudi Arabia's oldest flea markets.
Wander through rows of antiques, trinkets, traditional handicrafts and other interesting finds as chatter echoes through its century-old alleyways.
Top off the Riyadh experience with panoramic views of the capital at Kingdom Centre Tower. From 300m above, the city's skyline is breathtaking.
Ushaiger Heritage Village
Ushaiger Village is one of the best-preserved ancient villages in central Arabia.
Just north of Riyadh sits one of the oldest towns in the Saudi region.
Once a pitstop for pilgrims of ages past, Ushaiger Village continues to be a destination that captures the heart of travellers for its innate charms.
Glimpses of the old way of life of the village's past inhabitants surface as you stroll through its winding streets and rugged terrains.
Along the way, you'll notice unique triangular roofs and white-rimmed windows that decorate the red mud-brick houses, a relic of Saudi Arabia's architectural traditions.
AlUla Unesco World Heritage Site
From ancient tombs to geological formations, AlUla is packed with age-old wonders.
Take your first step back in time with the AlUla Old Town. Sitting in the narrowest part of the AlUla Valley stands more than 900 mud-brick houses built over 2,000 years ago.
Through the mazes of its historic alleyways, feel the place teeming with life from the olden days amongst its historic walls, standing against the test of time.
Immerse yourself in the language of the civilisation that once thrived there with the open library of Jabal Ikmah, situated just 20 minutes up north of AlUla Old Town.
More than 300 stone inscriptions are carved into the rock faces on the cliffs, each with a story of its own from the Dadanite and Lihyanite periods.
The exterior of the Elephant Rock is shaped by millions of years of wind and water erosion.
Amongst the sand dunes of Northeast AlUla stands the majestic Elephant Rock in Harat Auwyrith.
Rising to a height of 52m, this geological wonder, which resembles an elephant with a ground-bound trunk, is fringed by hundreds of other rock monoliths formed from ancient times.
End the day with a star-gazing experience in the desert with a local astronomer, coupled with a traditional dining experience. You might catch a glimpse of the Orion constellation, if you're lucky.
Medina, Islam's second holiest city
In the heart of Medina stands Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, or the Prophet's Mosque – Islam's second holiest site and the second largest mosque in the world.
Known for its iconic green dome, it uniquely retains much of the traditional and contemporary elements of Islamic architecture, from intricate mosaics that decorate its halls to the sliding domes of the mosque.
The mosque is not the only one to have evolved with time.
Witness the transformation of Medina with the exhibits at Al-Madinah Museum. Just a 15-minute drive from Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, dive deep into Medina's rich history with archaeological collections, visual galleries and rare images of the city found nowhere else.
Jeddah, Saudi's second largest city
Sitting along the coasts of Jeddah, is the Al Rahma Floating Mosque.
Inspired by the city's seafaring heritage, the iconic mosque was erected on water in 1985 and is renowned for its turquoise-coloured dome and white-coloured exterior.
South of the Al Rahma Floating Mosque is Al-Balad, the historic centre of Jeddah and one of the most Instagram-worthy sites in Saudi Arabia.
The Hijazi houses that line the sides of this Unesco World Heritage Site are known for their coral stone structure and intricately-carved wooden balconies, while its cozy alleyways offer a snapshot-worthy backdrop.
The last to add to your list of must-visits is the King Fahd's Fountain, touted as the world's tallest fountain, standing at 312m.
The local landmark is a sight to behold from afar, especially when it's illuminated at night.
Five-star experiences
Apple Vacations has now rolled out their tour packages to Saudi Arabia for 2025.
The packages include tickets to the attractions and a treat to Arabian delicacies, as well as five-star accommodation throughout the trip. Additionally, it includes one domestic flight to spare travellers from an 11-hour flight.
Tour package is priced from RM31,999 (including flight tickets).
Book your adventure on either Nov 19 or Dec 17 to experience Saudi Arabia's past, present– and future.
Ready to immerse yourself in the Arabian experience? Click here to kickstart your adventure.
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'MALAYZIYA? Welcome! Welcome!' These words still ring in my ears – words I heard not just from eager shopkeepers in Mecca but also from the fierce-looking Saudi Arabian police guarding the holy city. For Muslims worldwide, travelling to Mecca for the Haj is an important journey that many save up for for years and that many more yearn for. The Haj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is compulsory for those who are able-bodied and can afford it. There are key rituals that must be followed, emulating the traditions of Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Abraham, and they can only be performed during the first 10 days of Zulhijjah of the Muslim calendar, culminating in Hari Raya Aidiladha. The festival, also known as Hari Raya Haji or Hari Raya Korban in Malaysia, is when Muslims sacrifice livestock such as goats, sheep, and cows, and share the meat with the poor. 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The square black Kaabah (the focal point of Muslims when they pray), known as the first home, still stands majestically with its gold and black Kiswah coverings, but wearing a white band around it to signify that the Haj season is here. The white band around the Kaabah signifies that the Haj season is here. — AFP Mohd Saufi Lim Abdullah, 71, who converted to Islam 36 years ago, said that one should not wait to go on the Haj. 'The feeling of seeing the Kaabah in real life, something we can only envisage when we pray, cannot be described. For me, it is during Haj that I see humanity of all colours and races of the world,' says Mohd Saufi, who works in the oil and gas industry. High-end malls – truly a shopping paradise – and glitzy five-star hotels surround the Grand Holy Mosque that encases the Kaabah. Malaysian pilgrims are the most-sought after shoppers in the Holy Land. 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Reputation to uphold Malaysian pilgrims here are much respected as Tabung Haji, the only Haj fund of its kind in the world – has to date been awarded the best haj manager with the Labbaytum award for three years in a row. Exclamations of 'Malayziya? I like Malayziya!' at the checkpoints drew jealous stares from the other pilgrims as we were breezily allowed through. For a couple from Kedah – teacher Masni Malim, 43, and lecturer Ahmad Sharani Abdul Seliban, 44 – this pilgrimage is a result of her salary deductions for 17 years. The Haj costs for Muassasah Pilgrims (first-timers) include flights, transportation, accommodations in Saudi Arabia, food, Haj courses, medical expenses, and payments to the Saudi Arabian government. 'I felt so anxious when my husband and I were chosen to be guests of God this year in Mecca. 'When we first got news that we were shortlisted last September, we were very excited. We went all out for the preparations for Haj – I would wear sports shoes to school and walk and climb stairs to keep fit. 'I also had to prepare my children – including my three-year-old – and my mother, who would be looking after my four children, for the fact that I would be away for more than a month,' says Masni. Husband Ahmad says they prepared mentally and physically for months, with everything else going by in a blur. Being at home in Mecca Malaysian pilgrims are among the first to arrive for the Haj season. This enables them to easily acclimatise to the weather, food, and surroundings. By the time the Haj season actually starts, Malaysian pilgrims under Tabung Haji would have been in the city for 20 days or so. The food was always a hit with all the pilgrims. — Photos: ZAKIAH KOYA/The Star Kelantanese keropok trader Norhayati Yusof says her roommates, whom she has only come to know in Mecca, are her family here. 'We look out for each other when we go to pray and we do everything together,' says the chirpy Norhayati. Having known the place for a couple of weeks before Haj also lessens the fear of being lost during the gruelling days of Arafah, Muzdalifah and Mina during the key rituals of wukuf (standing in prayer), mabit (spending the night) and jamrat (stoning the devil). Pilgrims have to perform the key rituals within a certain period to ensure that their Haj is complete. Key rituals in comfort On June 4, one day before the Day of Arafah, the pinnacle of the Haj, we were ferried by buses to air-conditioned tents on the plains of Mount Arafat, then to Muzdalifah, and the next day to Mina for the stone-the-devil ritual. These facilities were set up by a local company, Al-Masiah, which liaises with the Saudi authorities on behalf of Tabung Haji. From meals akin to in-flight meals, a free flow of cold, bottled drinking water to modern toilets and comfy mattresses, nothing was spared to ensure pilgrims were comfortable. Teacher Zurina Mat Hussin, 60, from Terengganu, accidentally made history this season: She suffered heart issues and was saved by the Saudi Arabian medical team after going through an immediate life-saving cardiac catherisation. 'I cannot thank Tabung Haji and the Saudi health experts enough for what they have done for me,' says Zurina, who continued with her Haj rituals using the invalid initiative. About 38 other pilgrims who were invalids too were provided 'companions' to take care of them throughout the Haj. There were also 11 vision-impaired pilgrims this year. Sarifah Hassan, 57, whose husband Abdullah Mat, 59, passed away during this Haj, was all praises for Tabung Haji on the way they handled the emergency. Ten deaths have occurred among Malaysian pilgrims this season. It has to be mentioned that among the most hardworking of the Tabung Haji personnel are the local-born Malays and Thais in Mecca – they speak excellent Arabic, Malay, and English. From pushing wheelchairs to being drivers, the service they provide to Malaysian pilgrims is top-notch – and without ever missing a smile. As everyone tends to be in humble mode here, wearing simple clothing, all the men in their white double-towel wraps, there are no class distinctions during the Haj. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who was part of the Malaysian entourage, smiled sheepishly when another pilgrim Googled him and asked him if he was indeed who he was. And the wife of Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datin Nik Roslini Raja Ismail was spotted carrying pilgrims' bags into the buses and taking photos for those who handed her their phones, not knowing who she was. Friendship of strangers At the end of it all, it is the camaraderie among the pilgrims of all races from all over the world – be they Malaysians, Indonesians, Pakistanis, Chinese, or the loud French-speaking African pilgrims, seated side by side in the Grand Holy Mosque that I remember the most. Enjoying the shade amid Mecca's high temperatures. Friendly groups quickly formed among the pilgrims. — ZAKIAH KOYA/The Star For those sorts of short friendships struck up between strangers who can only communicate through gestures and smiles is a beautiful thing to witness as pilgrims share their food. Even lovelier in my eyes were the 'conversations' among women pilgrims who chat not knowing each other's languages. As for Malaysian pilgrims, the Haj brings out the best in them, for back home we have already long practiced unity in diversity.
