Travel in county Medina

If picturesque cycling, coastal walks and simple seaside pleasures float your boat, make the Isle of Wight your first port of call. Home to Queen Victoria’s summer retreat, Osborne House, the island has 20 beaches and a series of unspoilt coves. A network of cycle and walking trails covers 17 miles of coastline and countryside. Famous for the Cowes sailing regatta in July and August, the 147-square-mile island also offers every water sport going, from kayak surfing and windsurfing to paddle-boarding and parasailing.

Planning a vacation for the week between Christmas and New Years can feel anything but festive. Hotel and rental rates are generally at their peak, many properties require weeklong or 10-night minimums and rooms book up fast. But below are 15 great hotels in enticing destinations that — at press time — still have openings for at least a few days between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1 and, while minimum stays vary widely during that period, many of the places included here don’t insist on more than a two- or three-night stay. (The rates listed below are for Christmas week.) Better still, use this list as inspiration for a getaway in January, February or early spring and enjoy the perks of shoulder season: lower prices and fewer tourists.

Radisson Hotel Group debuts in Tunis with Radisson Hotel Tunis City Center, enhancing guest experiences with modern amenities and proximity to top attractions.

This Hajj season, Emirates is geared up to serve the large volume of pilgrims making their way from the airline’s global network through Dubai, to Jeddah and Medina to perform the once in a lifetime Muslim pilgrimage. Emirates has been working hard throughout every travel touchpoint of the journey to ensure comfortable experience, both in the air and on the ground for pilgrims heading to Makkah for this significant trip.

Most visions of Marrakech include a bustling city, a medina filled with souks and shoppers, donkey carts and scooters—yet there is more than frenetic chaos to this vibrant destination. Just a mere 15 minute-drive away one can relax into the sensorial charms of places such as The Oberoi Marrakech—a palatial, private retreat that feels more like an ancient Moroccan palace than a resort.

Partly-owned by one of the richest Saudi royals in the world, Four Seasons is on its way to becoming one of the most dominant luxury hotel chains in the country.

Qatar Airways has launched twice-weekly flights to Neom, the $500 billion anchor of Saudi Arabia’s tourism push. The first of Neom’s destinations – Sindalalah – is expected to open partially next year. For now, these two flights are intended to connect Neom staff with their families outside of Saudi Arabia.

Pegasus Airlines launches thrice-weekly flights between Dortmund Airport (DTM) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).

For curious travelers with an open mind, Marrakesh is a family-friendly treasure chest waiting to be explored.

While everyone is busy looking at Saudi Arabia’s flashy plans for building NEOM, the city of the future, its revolution in the realm of public transportion has gone under the radar entirely. In 2018, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia inaugurated its first high-speed railway, with trains traveling between the two holy cities of Medina and Mecca at 186 miles per hour. The Haramain High-Speed Railway is now the third train line in the country, and if government announcements come to fruition, 4,971 more miles of railway will soon crisscross the country, allowing travelers to easily see its best and biggest attractions, whether that’s the largest mirrored building in the world, or a UNESCO World Heritage site that looks an awful lot like Petra.

Stargazing is a time-honored tradition that has been an integral part of history in Saudi Arabia for millennia. The night sky was a crucial navigational tool in the vast and often featureless stretches of Saudi’s desert. Just as sailors use stars for navigation at sea, Bedouins relied on them to find their way across the sand. Those traditions are still honored today, and if you’re interested in learning more about the culture while enjoying the outdoors and vast star-studded sky, there are few locations in the country that can rival the natural beauty and vastness of AlUla.

Morocco is a family-centric, peaceful country with genuine warmth and love for children of all ages. It's home to cultures where large families are standard – a family of five to six children, and multi-generational homes are considered the norm. It's not unusual for people you've just met to offer kisses, hugs, and cadeaus (gifts) for your kids. Traveling with kids to Morocco can open doors to unique experiences, connecting you deeper to its people and your own family. 

“Morocco is open, Morocco is safe, and Morocco is still an incredible place to visit.”

India will soon declare a national tourism policyand is also planning a global tourism investment summit, said Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy. “Without private investment, we cannot become a global destination,” he said, adding the government is allowing 100 percent foreign direct investment in tourism. Speaking at the third G20 tourism working group meeting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, Reddy said the tourism ministry is working closely with all the other ministries and state governments to encourage tourism. The new national tourism policy for the country has been in the making for almost two years, with the current one dating back to 2002. The policy would help lay down a framework to make India more competitive in the international market, at a time when the world is reopening to tourists. It aims to increase visitation, stay and spend and make India a year-round destination, besides creating jobs and opportunities in the sector. Last month, Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh highlighted India’s plans to open up to 50 new tourism destinations, promote green tourism, launch a publicity campaign in overseas markets and operationalize 59 new air routes this year. 

The sights, the sounds, the smells… Marrakech is swirling with enough sensory treats to pull you in and never let go. Between the bustling, motorcycle-flooded Medina market to the handfuls of relaxing spas and riads, here’s where to go for an equally thrilling and relaxing vacation.

Marrakech is an incredibly vibrant and culturally-rich destination that should not be missed by anyone. From the bustling souks of the medina to the magical Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech is a mix of both modern and ancient influences which make it unique. Visitors can enjoy delicious Moroccan cuisine, experience mesmerizing historical sites, and explore the stunning natural landscapes that surround the city. With its bright colors, lively atmosphere, and friendly people, Marrakech is a great place to visit for those looking to experience something truly special. These Airbnbs highlight the city’s distinct beauty.

Riad Alkemia is a beautiful and traditional Moroccan guesthouse in the heart of Marrakech. This charming riad offers a perfect blend of traditional Moroccan architecture and modern amenities, making it a great option for travelers looking for a comfortable and authentic experience in the city.

If you know someone who’s been to Saudi Arabia, chances are they visited AlUla. There’s a good reason for that. Located in the Medina province in northwest Saudi Arabia, AlUla is defined by its almost surreal landscape of canyons, wadis (dry valleys), sandstone cliffs, and ancient Arabic rock dwellings and tombs that trace the 7,000-year history of people living in the region. It’s also the home of Hegra, the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, a city built by the Nabataeans – the same civilization that built Petra – over 2,000 years ago. Thanks to this concentration of geographic and historical wonders, it’s no surprise that AlUla has become the centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism push.