Set out to explore The Land of the Two Holy Mosques with this 10-day small-group tour of Saudi Arabia! Your journey will begin in Riyadh, the cultural capital of Saudi Arabia known for its spectacular skyscrapers, world-class shopping malls, and historic national museums. Visit the Murabba Palace, originally built as a private residence for the Saudi King, and see the Masmak Fort, dating back to 1865 AD. Next, you will take the train to Ha’il, situated at the very foot of the Shammar Mountains. Explore Ha’il with its boundless beauty and warm hospitality, and visit the A’arif Fort, a captivating castle built with mud and clay. From there you will travel to Jubbah, a beautiful oasis believed to be the remains of an ancient lake, before you visit Al-Ula, where you can see fascinating rock formations and artistic masterpieces. Explore Mada’in Saleh, also known as Hegra, the first World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia. From there you will travel to the holy city of Medina, where you will explore the story of Islam and the prophet’s biography. Finally, set out to explore Jeddah, where your small-group tour of Saudi Arabia will come to an end!
This trip was memorable for so many reasons not the least because of the warm welcome the group received from our local Saudi guides and by the families that we encountered. The landscape was much more varied than I expected; desert, mountains, oceans, camels, ancient rocks and caves revealing historic art as well as culture in the form of mosques, museums and sculptures in the cities. The temperature (in early May) was not oppressive, as humidity is low and there is ample opportunity to seek shade. We were the first Exodus group to embark on this trip. The visit changed many of my preconceptions of life in Saudi Arabia and, because of the genuinely warm welcome and an increasing understanding of the culture, it felt natural to dress modestly and enjoy fruit juices instead of wine. I left the country feeling that I had been among friends and would therefore not hesitate to recommend it to others.
This 8-day tour is the perfect way to experience the unique and fascinating destination that is Lebanon. Found on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean, Lebanon is filled with historical and cultural sites and landmarks.
You will visit Tyre and Sidon, great ancient Phoenician cities; Byblos, the world’s oldest continually-inhabited city; and Heliopolis, the Middle East’s best-preserved temple. Lebanon also abounds with natural phenomena and landscapes, and you will visit many fascinating natural sites. These include the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, the Jeita Grotto, the Ksara Caves, and the Barouk Cedar Nature Reserve.
With sites such as the birthplace of Khalil Gibran, and the Lebanon cedar mentioned in the Old Testament, Lebanon provides the ideal combination nature, culture and history.
Accommodation is in 3-4 star boutique style hotels, a deluxe guesthouse in Zahle and one night a monastery in the Qadisha Valley where you may join the monks for morning prayer if you wish.. The itinerary will be adjusted slightly during the winter months to avoid some of the high mountain roads which will be blocked due to snow.