The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is appearing on travel itineraries for the first time after lifting its curtain to the rest of the world. Saudi Arabia has recently taken a number of steps to open up Saudi society and empower women, putting it on the international stage. From corporate travellers partaking in the Kingdom’s economic recovery as it transitions away from oil dependency to adventurous travellers, all sights are on this hot spot.

Unknown to many, Saudi Arabia also has incredible unspoiled natural beauty. Consider misty mountains covered in winter snow, the Rub Al Khali with its endless desert and sand dunes of every colour, or blue and beautiful beaches with some of the most incredible coral reefs in the world. The capital of the nation is a massive city called Riyadh. Currently undergoing the transition from a quiet conservative desert capital to a lively, modern, and well-governed metropolis, it is a stunning city that is still under construction. It aims to establish itself as a metro with top-notch amenities.

Riyadh is situated on the eastern side of the mountainous Najd plateau at an altitude of around 600 metres, right in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula. The Tuwaiq Escarpment, an abrupt and striking rocky slope that forms the backbone of the plateau for nearly 800 miles, is dotted with a number of valleys known as wadis where communities have sprung up, including the nation’s capital Riyadh. The word Riyadh is an Arabic word that means “gardens,” and it refers to the lush oases that dot the plateau. So make reservations for a Saudi flight and embark on a journey to explore this mesmerising destination, If you’re thinking of visiting, you should be aware of the following:

Using local guides is the ideal way to see Riyadh

It’s usually a smart idea to collaborate with a native tour operator, even if we respect your decision and audacious attitude to explore the globe alone. Although Riyadh is generally a secure and friendly location, it is advised against going for a solo walk after dark in certain areas. So, rather than travelling alone during such times, it is preferable to be joined by a reliable local guide. Additionally, they may provide you with some insightful information on the lengthy history of Saudi Arabia.

Locate a secure hotel

When travelling alone, it’s recommended to think about staying at hotels with security screening at all entries and that is considered to be usually secure. In reality, there are a ton of three-star hotels around the nation that are cosy, family-run, and secure. After getting to know you, the employees at these establishments will not only be kind and friendly, but they will also watch out for you. They may end up becoming your second home.

Dress and behave like a native

When you’re a woman travelling alone, it’s important to blend in. Wearing the proper attire is the simplest approach to doing this. Don’t overdo it with bright or tight clothing; keep it modest and subtle.

Verify Your Travel Documents and Make Copies

It might be quite difficult to secure replacements for crucial travel papers, particularly your passport, or even to proceed with your trip. It might be quite helpful to have copies of the papers stored on your laptop or phone, or even just a screenshot of them.

Ensure your phone has emergency numbers

A pay-as-you-go Mobile network with an inexpensive unlocked phone might be quite useful even if having an international mobile contract while you are travelling is not absolutely necessary. Store the local emergency contact on your cell phone so that if you do need the services of the authorities or an ambulance, you can contact them as soon as possible.

Be a Sensible Traveller and research your locations

It is usually advisable for women travelling alone in Saudi Arabia to thoroughly investigate the locations they would be going to and have a sense of what it would be like to do so alone. Although the internet is unquestionably the finest starting point for your study, set aside some time to visit official websites, blog posts, and online forums to discover more about the relevant locations.

These safety recommendations for solo travellers call for applying rational thinking. Your chances of having a safe, enjoyable, and memorable journey increase if you are aware, knowledgeable, and well-prepared.

Although Shenaz Treasury has taken a hiatus from acting, she keeps creating a buzz on social media for her travel posts. From sharing tips on how to manage the budget effectively to suggesting ways for promoting the best travel experience, Shenaz’s Instagram is filled with effective travel hacks. Just a week ago, the former actress shared an interactive reel on how one can travel responsibly. “Let’s come together and leave a place a little better than we found it rather than leaving a mess behind when we leave,” said Treasury. Here are the hacks shared by Shenaz Treasury.

Tips to travel responsibly:

1. Pack Light: According to Shenaz Treasury packing light leads to a reduction in extra kg which can further reduce carbon emission in the atmosphere. So, the next time you travel only carry things that are required.
2. Public transport: Opt for public transport instead of private whenever possible. It isn’t only cost-effective but also reduces the possibility of carbon emissions.
3. Cloth bags: Say no to polythene bags. When shopping during travelling carry your own shopping bags, especially those made out of clothes to carry items.
4. Support local businesses: Along with trying the best brands, also find ways to support local businesses by purchasing goods from them. This also allows one to connect more with the ethnicity of the place.
5. Sustainable accommodations: “We’ve all heard about sustainable, green, ethical, and ecotourism. We are now finally hearing about destinations, hotels, airlines, and other tourism companies branding themselves as eco-friendly and sustainable,” says Shenaz Treasury. Hence, when choosing accommodation make sure they are sustainable.
6. Adapter: The actress-turned-travel blogger suggests, “Carry an all-in-one adapter to plug in your electronic devices.”
7. Carry Tiffin box: While exploring new restaurants and places make sure to carry a tiffin box for leftovers. It is better to take food home than to waste it.
8. Water bottle: Instead of purchasing plastic water bottles, carry your own. Refill it from time to time and reuse it. This also promotes self-hygiene.
9. No littering: Carry an extra bag for waste products during travelling, and collect it together instead of littering places. One can dispose of the waste when they find a garbage tin or dustbin.

Travelling is one of the most fruitful activities that people can do to spend a good time of fun and relaxation as well as enhance their knowledge.

However, people often faces health issues like sickness at the time of journeying or gut issues due to binging on unhealthy food.

It is of utmost importance to take care of your health while you are enjoying your holidays by travelling across scenic locations.

Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar also feels that nothing expands your mind and warms your heart like travel does so you can follow her quick and easy health tips for travelling safely

The first rule to follow while travelling is to stay hydrated and the best way to do that is by carrying a water bottle with you and keep sipping on it at times during your journeys.

According to Diwekar, it is best to avoid chai and coffee on the flight and 60 minutes prior to boarding and post landing.

Moreover, the nutritionist also advises that one must avoid tea and coffee while on a road trip and when they are inside a moving vehicle.

While choosing hotels for your stay during travels, Diwekar advises to pick ones that offer gym access and can provide you with a yoga mat too.

“If you travel to smaller places, carry your own mat. Don’t forget to do five Suryanamaskars. Lie in Suptabaddhakonasana for 5 minutes during bedtime,“ advised Diwekar.

The nutritionist advised that you must try to order khichdi, dal chawal, pasta or risotto for dinner before leaving the hotel and ask the staff to send it at a particular time to your room.

“Carry peanuts, cashews, pistas, etc. Chew on them in between meetings and conferences,” she concluded.

Going for vacations during summertime started with getting summer holidays while we were in school. In those days it was the only vacation long enough to allow us to take a proper trip despite having tons of holiday homework. As adults, we can take vacations whenever we please (only if you are in the good books of your boss), but going for a trip during the months of summer has not lost its charm even after so many years. The fond memories of our childhood and the hope of making more such memories make taking a vacation during the season of summer an even special event.

Why travel in the months of summer?

Considering all the woes the season of summer comes with, the ease of travelling during this season is one of the few benefits summers come with. Apart from the good times, we spent as children during the summer vacations and the associations we make with it as adults, there are actual benefits to travelling in the months of summer. What are the benefits of travelling during the season of summer?

Let us explore some factors that make travelling during the summertime so appealing.

• More travel destination options available- Whether you want to visit a beach or a mountain located at a very high altitude, you can travel to any destination with ease and tick it off your bucket list. With no tension of road blockages and landslides due to heavy snowfall or rain, the months of summer make the ideal time to spend time outside your homes.

• A wider range of outdoor activities- From visiting water parks to wildlife sanctuaries located in the hills, most of these tourist attraction sites remain open only during the months of summer. If you are interested in taking part in adventure activities like zip-lining, trekking, river rafting and camping, it is easier during the season of summer.

• Enables travelling light- You do not have to worry about packing in heavy woollen and puffed jackets during the summer months. This reduces the load of luggage that you would have had to carry otherwise and saves a lot of space for you to bring back souvenirs from your vacation destination.

• Bearable weather- Considering the fact that you would not be travelling to an extremely hot destination during the summer months, the weather during this time remains bearable. The chill of the mountains is not extreme and the warmth of the beaches and plains can be tolerated as well. The precipitation remains restricted to a bare minimum ensuring a seamless journey.

• Suitable time if you have children- If you have children, it is the ideal time to take a trip, since they would be getting their summer holidays during this time.

What are some tips for travelling during the season of summer?

Below is a list of some travel tips you can follow for a hassle-free and fun trip during the season of summer.

• Apply and reapply generous amounts of sunscreen of a wide UVA UVB range to all the body parts that may be exposed to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Try to keep the SPF above 30. Reapplication after every two hours is necessary as sunscreen tends to wear off with time. Remember, Sand, ice and Water reflect Sunlight more than usual, so the chances of Sunburn are more in those areas.
• Drink plenty of water or other fluids to stay hydrated. Travelling causes a lot of stress to the body, which increases the need for water. Drinking water or other beverages at regular intervals, even if you are not thirsty, helps prevent dehydration and the illnesses associated with it.
• Ensure that your body is getting enough nutrition through the food that you eat. If that is not the case, then consider taking food supplements with you on your trip after consulting a doctor, to reduce the chances of falling sick during your vacation.
• Eat smaller, lighter meals at regular intervals for ease of digestion. Spicy and oily food when teamed with the exhaustion of travelling all day tends to make the stomach upset.
• Carry ample mosquito repellents and coils, as mosquitos are a menace during summertime.
• Dress in light clothes or in layers if travelling to a cooler destination.
• Carry a pack of wet wipes or refreshing mist, for freshening up during a long day of travelling.
• Carry masks and hand sanitisers and maintain all other COVID–19 related protocols for both your and the others’ safety.
• Book air-conditioned rooms if you are travelling to a destination which has a comparatively higher temperature.
• Fresh fruits are a good option, available easily. Consume plenty of fresh fruits when travelling in the summers.

Travelling during the summer months has several benefits. You can pack in lighter, go visit water parks and can worry less about landslides and road blockages. Some important tips for travelling during the season of summer include staying hydrated, applying generous amounts of sunscreen without fail whenever you are going outside and carrying mosquito repellents.