Diriyah alone makes Saudi Arabia worth the trip

I'll be honest — I went to Saudi Arabia primarily to see Diriyah, and it delivered beyond what any photo prepares you for. But the surrounding region surprised me just as much. Jeddah has a character I didn't anticipate, and wandering without a plan for an afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights.

The food is extraordinary. Saudi dates sounds simple but here it's done with real craft. genuine hospitality added another layer to the experience. Spent 15 days and honestly could have used a week more.