Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia covers most of the Arabian Peninsula, between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. The Red Sea coast has coral reefs, islands and lagoons with clear turquoise water, made for snorkelling and diving, and its island resorts are reached by boat or seaplane. Just inland the desert begins, with old lava fields and granite mountains.

Riyadh is a modern capital on the Najd plateau, a city of wide avenues and glass towers. In nearby Diriyah, the 18th-century mud-brick At-Turaif district rises above Wadi Hanifa and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jeddah runs along the Red Sea with a long corniche, and in its old Al-Balad quarter, also UNESCO-listed, coral-stone houses with carved wooden balconies still stand. Further inland lie deserts with tall dunes and the Hejaz and Sarawat mountains, while in the north-west AlUla’s sandstone canyons frame Hegra, an ancient city of rock-cut tombs, also UNESCO-listed.

Guests are welcomed with cardamom-scented Arabic coffee and dates; kabsa — spiced rice with meat — is the classic dish, and on the coast fish and seafood come off the grill. Summers are hot, so the cooler months, roughly October to April, are usually the best time to travel, and the mountains are cooler still. Saudi Arabia suits couples and families, divers and snorkellers, and anyone drawn to desert landscapes and distinctive architecture.