A country of astonishing contrasts We're just back from a fascinating two weeks exploring this huge and beautiful country. Sand, mountains, ancient tombs, heritage villages, modern cities, great food for veggies like us - and a genuinely warm welcome from everyone we met. What a special trip it was to be some of the first tourists. Exodus leader Sara and local guide Samir were exceptional, our fellow travellers were great company and the hotels all good. Long days of travel - but worth it to see so much of the Kingdom.
Privileged to be first Exodus guests in this fascinating country. 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.
