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Though it might get overlooked in favour of larger, more glamorous cities, like Riyadh or nearby Doha, the discerning traveller will not want to pass up the opportunity to visit Dammam. As if the stunning desert scenery alone was not enough to enchant visitors, the city also offers heaps of fine dining, great shopping, and some of the most pleasant green spaces, parks and seaside walkways you are likely to find at a desert destination.

Nestled within the lush Al-Ahsa Oasis in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the city of Al Hofuf (also known as Al-Ahsa or Al-Hasa) sprawls over the palm-tree covered lands inhabited since prehistoric times. Al Hofuf is packed with historic sites, architectural monuments, and natural wonders, from forts and palaces to the whimsical Qara Mountain Caves and natural springs.

For centuries, Jeddah has been a meeting point for traders, travellers, and pilgrims in the Red Sea. It is a major port, an important commercial centre and the second-largest city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — famous for its wealth of restaurants, cafes and shopping districts, as well as for its comparatively liberal social life. But to many, the city is more important because it is a gateway for millions of pilgrims on their way to the holiest places in Islam: Mecca and Medina. It is a grand city with history, personality, and tons of opportunity.

Shimmering like a precious stone in the fierce desert sun, the city of Riyadh--Saudi Arabia's capital and main financial hub--is a complex mix of dualisms that will intrigue the intrepid traveller. A modern cutting-edge metropolis that boldly strides towards the future, yet a city firmly rooted in the traditions of its historical past. Known as the "Queen of the Desert", Riyadh will captivate every suitor with its desert landscapes and lush green oases, its ancient monuments, and the renowned Arabic hospitality of its residents.

Rose fragrance fills the air in Taif, a scenic Saudi town whose fertile lands are dotted with abundant rose and fruit orchards. Nestled amidst the Shafa Mountain range not far from Mecca, Taif historically used to be a major commercial hub for countries of the Arabian Peninsula but has now transformed into a popular summer holiday destination with well-developed infrastructure, magnificent natural beauty, and a mild climate, in pleasant contrast to much of the country.

Yanbu has long been known as little more than an industrial centre with a busy port, but with some of the country's best diving spots and ever more luxury resorts in the area, it is quickly transforming into a coveted vacation destination. The desert beaches are beautiful, captivating, and solitary enough to make your visit a unique experience. There has never been a better time to visit, as the crowds have not yet caught on to this emerging city, and travellers can still have huge expanses of pristine beaches all to themselves.