With Islamic art specialist Stefano Carboni, discover Saudi Arabia, the spiritual heartland of Islam, where vast deserts, ancient fortresses and rock-hewn Nabatean cities reveal millennia of history.

At a Glance

  • Explore Riyadh’s Diriyah, the National Museum and al-Masmak fort, the place where the family of Sa’ud began their rule
  • Marvel at the stunning rock-hewn splendours of the Nabatean sites of Hegra, Madyan and Sakaka
  • Enjoy the contrast of the verdant oases of AlUla and Tayma with mountain villages near Al Bahah and Abha
  • Visit Jeddah, ‘bride of the Red Sea’ and the gateway for Hajj pilgrims, and the holy city of Medina
  • Savour traditional Arabian coffee and succulent dates, and enjoy vibrant markets, bustling streets and silent desert landscapes

Begin in the capital Riyadh, a dynamic modern metropolis of soaring skyscrapers, in vivid contrast to the UNESCO World Heritage Site desert town of Diriyah. Then, travel north to Jubbah’s remarkable prehistoric rock art and the Nabatean sites of Sakaka, before exploring the extraordinary tombs of Hegra and the dramatic landscapes of AlUla.

Continue to the Red Sea port of Jeddah, gateway to Mecca, where merchants built coral-stone houses reflecting centuries of trade. Visit Medina, associated with the beginnings of Islam, before exploring the surprisingly verdant mountain villages near Al Bahah and Abha.

Please click ‘Register Interest’ to receive further information when more details are available.

 

This tour is part of the World Art Tours program organised by the Art Gallery Society of NSW in partnership with Renaissance Tours.

Dates

November 2027 (15 days)

Tour leader

Stefano Carboni

Tour Status

On request

More Details

Tour code: AG2712

Fitness level: Challenging
Tour members must be able to:
•    negotiate airports and railway stations without wheelchair assistance
•    use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)
•    undertake walking tours of 2-3 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
•    climb staircases of 100 or more steps
•    stand for long periods in museums and other sites
•    embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance
•    handle their own luggage
•    handle extremes of temperature (e.g. below ) or above 35 degrees)
•    handle extremes of altitudes (e.g. 4000 metres and above)
*Please also read specific details in the relevant tour itinerary

Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions here.

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