Good tips. One comment and a question.
First the comment:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If you like to SCUBA dive or relax in the sun, why not arrange a stopover <snip> you might be able to "force" a stopover or to just simply stay over for up to 23 hours.</font>
Just a reminder that you have to be careful on this one. Generally OK to fly after 12 hours on a shallow dive, but deep dives that require decompression mean at least 24-hour wait before getting on an airplane.
Now the question:
You mentioned getting to perhaps see Saudi Arabia on a stopover without a tourist visa. Is this really possible? Will you be able to get out of the airport?