OVERVIEW

Discover the historical importance of Jeddah while walking through its Old Town on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. That strategic location fueled Jeddah’s growth beginning in the 7th century, as it became the primary port for goods sent inland to Mecca. Countless pilgrims also passed through Jeddah and over time the city reflected the Red Sea architecture of the time. Because hundreds of those buildings, particularly tower houses constructed for wealthy merchants, have been preserved, UNESCO declared the Old Town a World Heritage site. You will not only see block after block of these historical houses and others made from coral stone, but also browse the interior of one of them. To enhance the experience, you will be served a cup of traditional Arabic coffee and fresh dates. Afterwards, you will browse a bustling souq in Old Town and enjoy time to explore further independently.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the well-preserved architecture that earned Jeddah a UNESCO World Heritage site designation.
• Meander through the interior of one of the historically important tower houses in Old Town.
• Gain an understanding of Jeddah’s significance as a major trading port starting in the 7th century.
• Browse a souq in the heart of Old Town and spend free time exploring the area nearby.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress conservatively when going ashore.
• Wear sun protection and bring bottled water.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Trace Jeddah’s cultural and historical evolution through the centuries by browsing Al Tayebat, a museum complex with exhibits that present life in Saudi Arabia from various perspectives. The museum is comprised of a dozen Hijazi-style buildings made with natural materials designed with the desert climate in mind. Entire floors are dedicated to topics such as the history of Islam, the formation of Saudi Arabia, the nomadic Bedouins and the heritage of Jeddah. You may see a re-creation of the pilgrimage to Mecca, early manuscripts, old coins, traditional clothing and artifacts from the fishing tribes that once inhabited the area. The exhibits on King Abdulaziz – the founder of modern Saudi Arabia – are especially enlightening. The nearby Hassan Enany Mosque exemplifies contemporary life in its design and cultural significance. While pausing to snap photos of this seaside landmark, be sure to notice the symbolic golden tiles that cover the exterior of the dome.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse a museum that showcases most every aspect of life in Saudi Arabia.
• Focus on specific topics of interest such as ancient Jeddah or the history of Islam.
• Come away with an overall understanding of Saudi Arabia through the centuries.
• Pause for photos of the modern Hassan Enany Mosque.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise along the coast in complete comfort on a yacht that will bring you to the Bayaddah submerged coral reefs, where you can indulge in all sorts of fun in the water. You can spend as much time as you like in the crystal-clear Red Sea and ease back onto the yacht whenever the mood strikes. Take a refreshing swim, wade through the shallows and go kayaking if you are feeling ambitious. The water rises and falls according to the tides, but you can always find an ideal area for the activity you have in mind. The reefs at Bayaddah and throughout the Red Sea have a high tolerance for extreme temperatures and other conditions that damage coral found elsewhere. These healthy reefs are teeming with marine life, especially schools of colorful fish, which you can observe while snorkeling. A light lunch will be provided onboard.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to the Bayaddah reef north of Jeddah on a sleek, comfortable yacht.
• Do most anything you please in the Red Sea’s crystal-clear water, from swimming to kayaking.
• Snorkel if you wish to see the abundant and extraordinarily colorful marine life.
• Relax on the yacht whenever you’re ready to get out of the water, even for a few minutes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear a swimsuit under a cover-up with water shoes.
• Wear sun protection and bring bottled water.
• Waterproof cameras are highly recommended.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours enjoying the waters surrounding Bayaddah, a collection of coral reefs north of Jeddah that offer an ideal setting for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. On the boat ride over, you can’t help but notice the clarity of the Red Sea, which is typically calm because it is so sheltered. The depth of the water at Bayaddah will depend on the tides. Nevertheless, you will find sandy areas that you can easily wade in, other places that invite a refreshing swim and uncrowded expanses of water just made for kayaking. If you want a better view of the wonders underwater, try snorkeling. The reefs attract all sorts of colorful marine life, including Purplestreak parrotfish, orchid dottybacks and yellowtail surgeonfish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a scenic boat ride up the coast to a series of coral reefs in water of varying depths.
• Do most anything you please in the Red Sea’s crystal-clear water, from swimming to kayaking.
• Snorkel if you wish to see the abundant and extraordinarily colorful marine life.
• Relax on the boat whenever you’re ready to get out of the water, even for a few minutes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear a swimsuit under a cover-up with water shoes
• Wear sun protection and bring bottled water.
• Wear sun protection and bring bottled water.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride an electric-enhanced bike on an inspiring tour of Jeddah with a special focus on the attractions along the corniche road that runs along the Red Sea. Traveling by e-bike couldn’t be easier because its battery-powered, whisper-quiet motor makes pedaling a breeze, allowing you to go farther with less effort. After a briefing at the oversized LED Jeddah sign – which makes for a great photo opportunity – you will pedal off following the guide around Jeddah in a line of e-bikes. There will be plenty to see along the way, including the race circuit where the annual Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is held. Jeddah is also known for its outdoor art installations along the coast by the likes of sculptor Henry Moore and a host of renowned Middle Eastern artists. The ride will end at the Al Rahma Mosque, where you can browse this landmark that appears to float on the sea at high tide.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip around Jeddah on an electric bike that boosts your pedaling power.
• Ride along the coastal North Corniche and pause at the most memorable attractions.
• Pass part of the corniche circuit where Jeddah’s annual Formula One race is held.
• Admire the public art installations that have beautified the corniche.
• Enjoy a beverage while exploring a modern mosque that looks to be floating on the sea.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Learn to prepare traditional Saudi Arabian dishes in a hands-on cooking class and enjoy your concoctions for lunch. A local chef will describe where and how the ingredients were sourced and show you step-by-step how to make each dish. Feel free to ask questions as the class is meant to be an interactive experience. Although the dishes will depend on the season and the availability of the fresh ingredients, one of them will likely be Jareesh, a hearty main course made from a recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation. It consists of cracked wheat, yogurt, chicken or lamb and aromatic spices. Margoog is another stew-like comfort food that may be on the menu. This meat and vegetable dish is typically made with even more spices and bits of handmade dough to soak up the flavors. Fresh-baked bread, salad and traditional Saudi sweets for dessert will round out the meal.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Join a hands-on cooking class and learn to prepare several classic Saudi Arabian dishes.
• Interact with the chef, who will encourage your questions about the local cuisine.
• Learn about the origins of the dishes and how their ingredients can vary regionally.
• Dine on the delicious dishes that you have made for lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the world of Formula One racing by visiting the Jeddah corniche circuit where the annual nighttime race is held. For an introduction to this hair-raising F1 motorsport, you will first tour the race control center that overlooks the starting grid and monitors each turn in the nearly 4-mile-long circuit. You will also visit the paddock where the race teams prepare, the garages that hold the multi-million-dollar cars and a trackside villa. The only way to get a better view of the circuit is to be right on the track, a rare experience that you will have while riding in a golf cart with an F1 driver at the wheel. Expect to hear fascinating stories about the non-stop challenges of the track, where speeds can reach 200 miles per hour. You will be treated to another perspective of the race circuit from the Royal Overlook that looms directly above the track.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the corniche circuit where Jeddah’s annual Formula One race is held.
• Enjoy an in-depth look at the race control center and other key areas around the track.
• Ride along the actual race track in a golf cart with an F1 driver.
• Pause to see the Enani Floating Mosque and the Jeddah sign along the Corniche.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Visit an array of attractions that together present a definitive picture of Jeddah past and present. History will be center stage as you walk through Al Tayebat, a museum complex that showcases Saudi life and architecture through the centuries. For a look at historical architecture that residents and businesses still occupy, you will walk through the Old Town of Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many of the Hijazi-style properties have been reimagined as heritage hotels and ancient souks are abundant, one of which you can browse independently. Other sections of Jeddah are quite modern as you will discover while driving on the North Corniche, where you will pass a Formula 1 race car circuit, the Jeddah Yacht Club and an iconic mosque that appears to float over the Red Sea. You will also pause for photos of the contemporary Hassan Enany Mosque and at the oversized LED sign that spells out Jeddah.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse a museum that showcases most every aspect of life in Saudi Arabia.
• Walk through the atmospheric Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Spend free time independently exploring one of the souks in Old Town.
• Enjoy views of the Red Sea while passing modern icons such as the F1 race car circuit.
• Snap photos of the contemporary Hassan Enany Mosque and the oversized Jeddah sign.
• Enjoy a traditional buffet lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy tastings of traditional foods in Jeddah’s historic district and sample local life while shopping on your own in an ancient souk. The Old Town of Al Balad exudes history, especially through its colorful Hijazi architecture that combines the coral-stone building traditions of the Red Sea with elements typical of western Saudi Arabia. At three different venues within this wonderfully atmospheric UNESCO World Heritage site, you will taste dishes that best represent Jeddah’s cuisine. The selections vary seasonally but and may include kabsa – the national dish of Saudi Arabia – and perhaps street foods such as balila, a seasoned chickpea concoction. You will also stop for coffee and dates in the hospitable setting of a historical house. During free time, you can browse the seemingly endless shops in one of the quintessential souks in Old Town, where the aromas of freshly ground spices will likely be wafting through the air.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Jeddah’s atmospheric Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Sample a variety of dishes characteristic of the local cuisine.
• Experience Saudi hospitality while pausing for coffee and dates at a historical house.
• Spend free time independently exploring one of the souks in Old Town.
• Gaze out over the Red Sea while driving along the South Corniche.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.