The enigma of Oman’s Rub Al Khali, or the Empty Quarter as it is widely known, is so great that it isn’t advisable to venture there without a reliable guide. Thankfully, a few reputed tour operators offer full-day private trips to the gargantuan desertland from Salalah.
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Viator lets you drive to this untouched region with a guide who can handle off-road trails and will ensure you don’t get lost. Go dune-bashing, check out the ruins of Ubar—the lost city that is said to be swallowed by the desert—and absorb the remote emptiness of the land at Thumrait, which was once a famous Bedouin settlement and an important point on caravan routes.
With expansive deserts dotted with gigantic boulders and precious remnants of the most ancient civilisations on Earth, AlUla has always been a hidden treasure, until now. Saudi Arabia finally opened itself to international tourism last year and chose AlUla as the flagbearer of its glorious heritage. The ancient land boasts 2,00,000 years of history and is home to the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, which has over 100 well-preserved tombs with elaborate rock-cut facades. There’s also Jabal Ikmah, which acts as an open library with hundreds of ancient inscriptions from the Dadanitic and Lihyanic cultures, and the ancient rock city of Dadan to explore.
The Private Heritage Desert Safari offered by Platinum Heritage takes you through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in a vintage Land Rover. The private retreat features traditional entertainment and a four-course Arabic dinner, but what sets this safari apart is the presence of a dedicated conservation guide who will make sure that your tour and any encounters with native wildlife are informative and insightful
Nubians trace their origins to one of the earliest civilisations on the planet. Their ancient homeland, Nubia, once stretched along the River Nile and covered swathes of present-day Egypt and Sudan. Today’s Nubians are concentrated in southern Egypt, especially in Kom Ombo and Aswan’s Nasr al-Nuba. Visit the Nubian Museum in the city, and sign up for the Trip To The Nubian Village In Aswan offered by Journey To Egypt, which introduces you to a native family and gives you a glimpse of their ways of life.
After four years of restoration, the Sumela Monastery in the northeastern province of Trabzon in Turkey reopened its doors in July this year. The Greek Orthodox monastery is an architectural marvel with mythological significance, and dates back to the fourth century. Perched high in the Black Sea region, at least 1,000 metres above sea level, it hangs like an extraordinary jewel in the Altindere Valley. Various historical incidents, including an 88 year-long pause on religious services and a major fire in 1930, have only added to its legendary standing among Turkish attractions.