Al Nafud Desert
Hail sits beside the mighty Al Nafud Desert, home to majestic red sands that promise both history and adventure in equal measure. The region is home to rock art, inscriptions and petroglyphs that are now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inviting you to discover traces of what life was like more than 10,000 years ago! If you’d prefer a faster pace in the desert, dune bashing and sand surfing are just some of the adrenaline-pumping thrills on offer.
Authentic Arabia
Once the capital of the Arabian Desert, and home to renowned 6th-century poet and philanthropist Hatim Al Tai (who featured in Arabian Nights), Hail is rich with Saudi heritage and culture. At the centre of the city, discover a trio of ancient castles – Barzan Castle, Al Qishlah Castle and, the oldest, A’arif Fort, which offers exceptional views over the city. A’arif has also been used as the meeting place to view the Ramadan moon and fire the iftar cannon to signal an end to the day’s fasting. For a glimpse into modern day Arabia, take a trip to the Hail Souq in the centre of town. Here, locals sell fruit, vegetables and the kingdom’s legendary dates, along with handmade crafts – from clay pots to beautiful woven mats.
You can fly from Riyadh (RUH) or Jeddah (JED) to Hail (HAS) in around 1h 15m. When planning your luxury Saudi holiday, your Luxury Travel Specialist will advise the best travel arrangements for your itinerary.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.