Where to go over the weekend from RUH?
May 7, 2010, 5:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AB Platinum (AB4EVA), IHG Diamond, Dominos Gold
Posts: 956
Where to go over the weekend from RUH?
Hi,
I am currently in RUH for Business and am looking for an affordable and nice place to go over the coming weekend... After what I've heard about RUH (and experienced in my first 5 hours here), I am not keen on spending any more time than necessary and would rather go somewhere else.
Dubai is the obvious choice, but I've been there twice this year already (actually just a week ago), so I wonder whether I should go somewhere else?
Any suggestions?
I would appreciate some nightlife (so again, Dubai is the first thing that comes to mind), but if there was something different to experience in a daytrip or so, that might be an option...
Thanks
I am currently in RUH for Business and am looking for an affordable and nice place to go over the coming weekend... After what I've heard about RUH (and experienced in my first 5 hours here), I am not keen on spending any more time than necessary and would rather go somewhere else.
Dubai is the obvious choice, but I've been there twice this year already (actually just a week ago), so I wonder whether I should go somewhere else?
Any suggestions?
I would appreciate some nightlife (so again, Dubai is the first thing that comes to mind), but if there was something different to experience in a daytrip or so, that might be an option...
Thanks
May 8, 2010, 10:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
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Posts: 4,113
If it's just one weekend, Riyadh isn't that bad. You can go to the Kingdom Tower and the Museum, and eat at the Najd Village for a good Arabic experience. That said, if you really want to leave, then what are your parameters? How far away are you willing to fly? You mention Dubai, which is 540+ miles by air; you could go to Jordan, about 800 miles away, and check out Petra and some Biblical sights, if that interests you. In terms of nightlife...I don't know much about Jordanian nightlife, but yeah, you won't find much in KSA. Dubai would be your best bet if that's the biggest factor in your decision; you could head over there, do a desert safari one day, and then experience the nightlife.
May 9, 2010, 4:26 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Go where the Saudis go for nightlife -- Bahrain. You can fly or take a taxi (5 hours or so, though heavy traffic on Wednesday evening out of KSA and Friday evening out of Bahrain.
I really enjoy Bahrain -- the night-life has a seedy, third-world element to it (try the Bahrain International Hotel; this one of the rare places I have been where you can get sheesha and alcohol at the same place), plus some interesting Arabic attractions (especially the old souq), plus a bit of the glitz of Dubai. So it's a nice combination.
I really enjoy Bahrain -- the night-life has a seedy, third-world element to it (try the Bahrain International Hotel; this one of the rare places I have been where you can get sheesha and alcohol at the same place), plus some interesting Arabic attractions (especially the old souq), plus a bit of the glitz of Dubai. So it's a nice combination.
May 10, 2010, 3:39 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AUH - UAE
Programs: Etihad Guest, AAdvantage, Virgin Atlantic
Posts: 109
Bahrain is a nice place, with plenty of nightlife if thats what your looking for.
Beirut has more again, and has some beautiful places to visit.
Dubai is obviously the place of "nightlife" , however I would say if you have been here, go explore somewhere else.
If you need the names of places in BAH to go, just let me know.
Beirut has more again, and has some beautiful places to visit.
Dubai is obviously the place of "nightlife" , however I would say if you have been here, go explore somewhere else.
If you need the names of places in BAH to go, just let me know.
May 12, 2010, 1:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: * Alliance Gold
Posts: 186
go to Mada'in Saleh
If its just the weekend, you can go outside of Saudi as others have pointed out, however I don't recommend that. Saudi has some pretty interesting historical sights which don't get much coverage. I'd highly recommend Mada'in Saleh which was built by the Nabateins, the same civilization that built Petra. Check the following wiki page for more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mada'in_Saleh
There're a few hotels in the nearby Ula town which I understand can arrange some permit for you to enter the site.
I think if this site was located in a country with lesser visa restrictions, it would have been visited by loads of tourists, so since you're already beyond this restriction check it out.
If you do go there, please post a trip report.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mada'in_Saleh
There're a few hotels in the nearby Ula town which I understand can arrange some permit for you to enter the site.
I think if this site was located in a country with lesser visa restrictions, it would have been visited by loads of tourists, so since you're already beyond this restriction check it out.
If you do go there, please post a trip report.