Saudi Arabia’s ancient city AlUla is gearing up for a bumper summer season.
With travel back after the Covid-19 pandemic, the kingdom’s historic desert region is welcoming more tourists and has lots of adventures in store for those who visit.
Ahead of summer, low-cost airline Flynas will resume direct flights between Dubai and AlUla. Starting from June 24, the Saudi Arabian carrier will operate a weekly flight connecting the destinations. Leaving Dubai on a Friday and returning on a Sunday, the schedule is perfectly timed for a weekend getaway.
Flydubai also operates between Dubai and AlUla with two flights per week. The budget airline was the first UAE carrier to connect the destinations.
Famed for its unique landscapes, millions of palm trees and 200,000 years of history in its open-air museum, AlUla is an adventure traveller's playground.
The year-round destination enjoys cooler summer temperatures thanks to a lack of humidity and the shade of its green oases. Hotels in the region have cut rates for summer stays with the eco-friendly Habitas AlUla Resort and Caravan by Habitas knocking 30 per cent off stays; Ashar Tented Resort is also introducing summer discounts.
No matter where you stay, there are plenty of bucket-list activities to try in AlUla. With everything from helicopter rides over the ancient orange landscapes to riding Saudi Arabia’s fastest zip line, here are six must-try adventures.
1. Fly Saudi Arabia’s largest zip line
Soar over ancient peaks on Harrat mountain on AlUla’s dual zip line located at the Adventure Hub. The line has just been extended making it officially the longest and fastest in the kingdom, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. Riders can reach speeds of 120 kilometres per hour as they soar some 1.5km through the sky over dramatic orange and red-hued landscapes in this one-hour experience.
From SAR180 ($48), not suitable for children under 12
2. Tackle a cliffside via ferrata
A unique way to explore the ancient mountains in AlUla is on the via ferrata — an Italian term that means "iron path" — and consists of steel cable rails, metal steps, ladders, suspension bridges and zip lines all designed to get you around the mountain. Test your limits with this two-hour aerial challenge as you scale the steep rock face on the 200-metre-high cliff.
And, just to make things harder, you'll have to manoeuvrer your way over suspended obstacles as you go. The reward will be worth it — with access to a Hammock Net where you can hangout with unique views over the valley.
From SAR180 ($48), not suitable for children under 12
3. Take a helicopter tour of AlUla
Soar over Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage site, see Elephant Rock from a new vantage point and catch your reflection on the world’s largest mirrored building with a helicopter tour of AlUla. The 30-minute flights take in the region’s seven best-known landmarks, including Hegra, the Hejaz Railway and Dadan.
All bookings are accompanied by a personal guide, who is on hand to share secrets about all the wonders you see below you as you fly.
SAR500 ($133) per person, up to five people, not suitable for children under 3
4. Abseil on AlUla’s mountains
Whether you’re a climbing pro or have never scaled a mountain before, abseiling at AlUla is one to try. Taking place on the region’s mountain landscapes, you’ll be secured in a harness wearing a helmet and gloves as you step off the side of towering cliffsides. Taking it slowly, you’ll edge down the steep rock face with adrenalin rushes guaranteed. Expert guides are on hand throughout to make sure everything you do is safe, and give you some extra encouragement when needed.
From SAR180 ($48), not suitable for children under 12
5. Trek through ancient wonders
Get your walking shoes on and prepare for a trek through the mountains. The Ridge Walk trek is a hiking experience that’s perfect for beginners, including children, as long as you have a basic level of fitness.
Set off with your local guide on a walk that will reward you with amazing views of Wadi AlUla. As you go, wonder at the natural scenes around you and celebrate your summit with even more breathtaking vistas. Bookings include transport to and from the trail, as well as bottled water and snacks to keep your energy levels up.
From SAR266 ($70), not suitable for children under 8
6. Explore Hegra via vintage Land Rover
Journey through the majestic landscape of AlUla in this bucket-list experience where you’ll get to take in the wonders of Hegra, the most significant preserved site of the Nabatean civilisation south of Petra. Travelling in true style in a vintage Land Rover, you'll be accompanied by a Rawi — a guide and local storyteller who will tell you more about the destination as you drive. You'll visit the rocky outcrop Jabal Ithlib, see the region's secret ceremonial chambers and discover more than 100 well-preserved tomb sites carved into the sandstone mountains.
From SAR700 ($186) for a group of up to seven people, not suitable for children under 8
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
Unresolved crisis
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
In Praise of Zayed
A thousand grains of Sand whirl in the sky
To mark the journey of one passer-by
If then a Cavalcade disturbs the scene,
Shall such grains sing before they start to fly?
What man of Honour, and to Honour bred
Will fear to go wherever Truth has led?
For though a Thousand urge him to retreat
He'll laugh, until such counsellors have fled.
Stands always One, defiant and alone
Against the Many, when all Hope has flown.
Then comes the Test; and only then the time
Of reckoning what each can call his own.
History will not forget: that one small Seed
Sufficed to tip the Scales in time of need.
More than a debt, the Emirates owe to Zayed
Their very Souls, from outside influence freed.
No praise from Roderic can increase his Fame.
Steadfastness was the Essence of his name.
The changing years grow Gardens in the Sand
And build new Roads to Sand which stays the same.
But Hearts are not rebuilt, nor Seed resown.
What was, remains, essentially Alone.
Until the Golden Messenger, all-wise,
Calls out: "Come now, my Friend!" - and All is known
- Roderic Fenwick Owen
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