Where to spend the winter holiday in Saudi Arabia

Special Where to spend the winter holiday in Saudi Arabia
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Riyadh Season (Supplied)
Special Where to spend the winter holiday in Saudi Arabia
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Riyadh Season (Supplied)
Special Where to spend the winter holiday in Saudi Arabia
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Riyadh Season (Supplied)
Special Where to spend the winter holiday in Saudi Arabia
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Riyadh Season (Supplied)
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Updated 26 December 2022

Where to spend the winter holiday in Saudi Arabia

Where to spend the winter holiday in Saudi Arabia
  • Kingdom is lively and vibrant with events, cultural goings-on and abundance of heritage sites
  • Riyadh, AlUla, Asir and Tabouk are just three of the many popular destinations for winter tourists

JEDDAH: Cold weather and a wide range of attractions are some of the reasons why many visitors see Saudi Arabia as a winter destination. In addition, popular events and festivals take place during the winter months, providing an extra dimension to the seasonal holiday. There is a festive atmosphere everywhere you go, and the country is lively and vibrant with events, cultural goings-on and, of course, its heritage sites. The cooler weather means that sightseeing and outdoor activities can be enjoyed more comfortably.

Festivities at Riyadh Season 2022




SPA


Riyadh is a good place to be at any time of the year, but it is even more magical during winter. The Riyadh Season 2022 is primarily a city-wide celebration and brings experiences and events from around the world to the heart of the capital of Saudi Arabia, with each of its 15 zones offering a variety of activities.
Reasons to visit Riyadh include attractions such as Riyadh Winter Wonderland, the biggest theme park in the city, Boulevard Riyadh City and Boulevard World, the Groves restaurants, located between palm trees in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, the Saturday Market, and much more.




Experience AlUla


Riyadh has many attractions for visitors, whether they are food lovers, music lovers or theater lovers.
Foodies will love the international cuisine, accompanied by music and entertainment shows at the Groves restaurants, presented in a charming winter atmosphere. For entertainment, the US-based ice show has brought a performance to Saudi Arabia just in time for the winter season. Atlantis by Holiday on Ice is taking center stage at Boulevard Riyadh City’s Cool Arena.

Winter vibes at AlUla’s Winter at Tantora
AlUla is a great location for a winter holiday and well-known for its highly anticipated Winter at Tantora, the first music and culture festival in the Kingdom, which returns this year for its fourth outing from Dec. 22 to 21 Jan. 21. It features an expansive array of offerings spanning music, arts, fashion, food and wellness.




Riyadh Season (Supplied)


The annual festival has a range of activities for sports fans, adventure seekers and history enthusiasts. Guests can cheer on riders in the world’s second-biggest endurance horse race or savor culinary experiences curated by top chefs. Luxury brand boutiques and traditional souqs are also available to explore, alongside art exhibitions and pop-up restaurants.
This weekend’s highlights will include Tantora Celebration, where guests can experience a projection show, taste Saudi coffee, watch live music and dance performances, as well as a hot air balloon experience, stargazing, rock climbing and eco-gardening.

Winter walk in Tabouk and Asir
In winter, the mountains in the northern and the southern provinces of the country are popular destinations for those looking for adventure.
One of the most magical parts of winter is stepping outside to enjoy the season’s brisk air. In Saudi Arabia, winter is celebrated as a time to cool off, camp and, of course, hike. Average winter temperatures are in the teens, but visitors may be lucky enough to see snowfall in the mountains of the northern regions blanketing the slopes and desert sands.




Experience AlUla


For snow enthusiasts, hiking in Saudi during winter is a different experience from hiking anywhere else. Head north, near Tabuk, for the best chance to see shifting sands under a coat of fresh snow.
Asir, meanwhile, is home to the juniper-covered mountains of Soudah, the highest location in Saudi Arabia, rising more than 3,000m above sea level.
Covered in lush green juniper trees and offering mesmerizing views, the rocky rural mountain range provides several hiking trails for people to enjoy.
Soudah also hosts an annual Flowerman Festival, which showcases the culture of the indigenous Aseri tribe, including men wearing flower wreaths and headdresses.

Desert activities in winter




Visit Saudi


The desert can be intimidating; it can be dry and dreary, and cold in the winter, but it can also be a fun place to be. With winter being the most temperate season in Saudi Arabia, this is the perfect time to get outdoors. Many locals choose winter to indulge in desert activities, heading out to Al-Nafud or Rub Al-Khali for horse-riding, sandboarding and hiking.


Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque
Updated 30 min 38 sec ago

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman project puts its focus on Al-Jubail Mosque
  • The initiative aims to increase public awareness about the importance of preserving historical mosques

RIYADH: Al-Jubail Mosque, which is three centuries old and is located in the center of Thaqif in Taif governorate in Makkah, is to be the focus of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques.

The initiative aims at reviving the architecture of Al-Jubail Mosque and increasing public awareness about the importance of preserving historical mosques.

The area of the site will reach 310 sq. meters after renovation, while it will maintain its capacity for 45 worshippers.

The reconstruction of the mosque will utilize methods that maintain its main component, stones from the Sarawat Mountains, in addition to local wood which is to be used in ceilings, pillars, windows, and doors.

Following its refurbishment, the mosque will maintain its narrow openings, for which its unique architectural style is famous.

Originally built with juniper wood, which is known for its durability, Al-Jubail Mosque will be reconstructed using granite stones instead of cement to revive the old Sarat architectural style.

The second phase of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman project focuses on 30 mosques across the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia.

The renovation project strikes a balance between integrating modern and ancient building standards to achieve sustainability and development, while preserving the historical characteristics of the mosques.

Saudi companies specializing in old structures, along with engineers from the Kingdom, are involved in helping to preserve each mosque’s authentic architectural identity.

The project’s first phase involved the restoration of 30 mosques in 10 regions.

The project has four strategic objectives: restoring the buildings for worship and prayer; giving an urban authenticity to historical mosques; highlighting the cultural dimension of Saudi Arabia; and enhancing the religious and cultural status of the locations.

It also contributes to highlighting the cultural depth of the Kingdom by helping to preserve the country’s urban characteristics.
 


KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work
Updated 30 March 2023

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work

KSrelief chief, Equatorial Guinea discuss humanitarian work
  • Since its inception in May 2015, the KSrelief has implemented 2,315 projects worth more than $6 billion in 90 countries

RIYADH: Supervisor-General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah received the ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to the Kingdom, Dr. Benigno-Pedro Matute Tang, at the center’s headquarters in Riyadh.

During the meeting, topics of mutual interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs were discussed.

The Guinean ambassador stated appreciation for the center’s efforts exerted in the field of humanitarian work and its efforts to help people and countries in need around the world.

Since its inception in May 2015, the KSrelief has implemented 2,315 projects worth more than $6 billion in 90 countries.

The center’s programs include food security, water sanitation and hygiene, health, education, humanitarian and emergency relief coordination, logistics, nutrition, and emergency telecommunication.

The countries and territories that benefited the most from the center’s various projects were Yemen ($4.2 billion), Palestine ($369 million), Syria ($342 million) and Somalia ($232 million).
 


Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah
Updated 30 March 2023

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Who’s Who: Manal Al-Bar, director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah

Manal Hashem Al-Bar was recently appointed director of marketing at the Jabal Omar Jumeirah Makkah.

The hotel is the UAE-based chain’s first to open in Saudi Arabia and one of its biggest to date.

Spread across four towers it houses a variety of food and beverage venues, more than 90 retail outlets, a gym, executive lounge, and meeting facilities.

Al-Bar will be responsible for leading the marketing team and overseeing integrated marketing and public relations campaigns for hotel rooms, restaurants, and all other facilities.

With more than 13 years’ experience in hospitality leadership roles in Saudi Arabia, she was previously the marketing director for the Venue Jeddah Corniche Hotel.

Al-Bar also worked as director of marketing at the Bonyan Group where she managed Al-Rashid malls in Abha, Madinah, and Jazan, in addition to Marriott hotels in Madinah and two properties in Jazan.

As marketing manager for the Marriott International group in western Saudi Arabia, she oversaw the opening of several hotels, including the Courtyard, Residence Inn Jazan, and Jabal Omar Makkah Marriott.

After joining Hyatt, she was part of the opening of the Jabal Omar Hyatt Makkah, the company’s first branded hotel in Makkah and first Hyatt Regency brand in Saudi Arabia where she developed the marketing plan and introduced the brand and hotel offerings.

Al-Bar gained a bachelor’s degree in English language from King Abdulaziz University and successfully completed several courses to build her marketing foundational skills and techniques.

She also attended a Misk leadership program to obtain on-the-job experience.
 


Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan
Updated 30 March 2023

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan

Muslim World League launches food baskets project in Pakistan
  • King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has also delivered 100 tons of dates as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan

RIYADH: The Muslim World League has launched a program for distributing Ramadan food baskets in Pakistan as part of its humanitarian efforts, and to complement the role of Saudi relief institutions around the world.

A celebration at the MWL office in Islamabad marked the event, with Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, and  Dr. Jamal Nasir, caretaker minister of health in Pakistan’s Punjab province, in attendance, along with a number of officials.

Saad bin Masoud Al-Harthy, the MWL’s regional director in Pakistan, said that the program would distribute 3,500 food baskets, each weighing 33 kg, covering a family’s needs for a month.

Al-Harthy added that the program was part of humanitarian efforts the MWL provides in all fields across Pakistan to meet the needs of its people.

He said that the program would benefit thousands of poor and impoverished people and widows in the country.

Nasir expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Pakistani government and the nation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also thanked MWL’s members for their support of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has delivered 100 tons of dates as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. It was handed over by Al-Malki in the presence of a number of senior Pakistani officials.

The gift comes within the relief and humanitarian programs being offered by the government of King Salman to reach families in need in different areas of the world.
 


Saudi Arabia reports 270 new COVID-19 cases

Saudi Arabia reports 270 new COVID-19 cases
Updated 30 March 2023

Saudi Arabia reports 270 new COVID-19 cases

Saudi Arabia reports 270 new COVID-19 cases
  • Total number of cases in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic grew to 833,245

RIYADH: Saudi authorities reported 270 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. As a result, the total number of cases in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic grew to 833,245.

Of the new infections, 100 were recorded in Riyadh, 29 in Jeddah and 16 in Dammam. Several other cities recorded fewer than 10 new cases each.

The Ministry of Health also confirmed that the Kingdom’s death toll from COVID-19 reached 9,630.

It said that 125 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic to 818,920.

The ministry said that 4,695 COVID-19 cases are still active, adding that 6,610 PCR tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to more than 45 million.

The ministry said of the current cases, 78 patients were in critical condition.

More than 69.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the Kingdom’s immunization campaign began, with over 25 million people fully vaccinated.