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10Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Arab Spring impacts Saudis’ summer plans

Many Saudi families used to head to Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Tunisia to spend their summer vacations, The arab Spring had a big impact on what Saudis percieve as attrac-

tive destinations. now most Saudis will travel to Dubai, Europe, Malaysia and Turkey for their sum-mer vacation.

Mohammed Tameem, a 53-year-old marketeer, owns an apartment in Tunis and has been spend-ing all his vacations there. “I cannot afford to spend my vacation anywhere else,” he said. “So I really wish Tunisia would settle down before sum-mer vacation starts. My wife and children would love to go to Tunis to spend Ramadan there,” he added.

Exploring the Kingdom is an option to some Saudis and seeing what the country has to offer. “I have never been to Jeddah. now that the Saudi Commission for Tourism and antiquities has many festivals in Jeddah, I’m not worried about the enter-tainment, I’m sure my family will have a blast,” said Bandar abdulhafeez, a 41-year-old business-man living in alkhobar. “Visiting Jeddah has always been an option, but my family and I thought that it would be better to go to Cairo than staying in our home land,” he added.

“We are excited to see Jeddah for the fist time. We will sup-

port local tourism and will experience it first hand,” said abdulhafeez.

Europe is always an attraction for Saudi people; most of them meet there every summer in the same cities. “My summer always starts with Marbella for three weeks then Beirut for two weeks. I have been doing this ever since I was a child,” said Salwa Hejazi, a 29-year-old businesswoman. “I am really sad to miss on Beirut this summer because it’s where I meet my friends from other arab coun-tries,” she added.

“People have been sending out messages to me saying that Beirut is not safe to spend the vacation this summer. I will wait until the time to make the reservation and make sure if it’s safe. Then I will decide if I should go or not,” said Hejazi.

Owning an apartment in Cairo is the only reason for 48-year-old banker Mohammed al-Jehani to spend his vacation there. “I spend every vacation in Egypt because I have my parents’ apartment in one of the busiest areas in Cairo,” he said. “Knowing that I do not have to think about hotels and how expensive they are is just

a relief to me. I hear people talking about how expensive hotels get during summer and it makes me pity them,” he added.

“This summer, I will also head to Cairo because I’m not sure if it’s a bad idea. If it gets bad outside, I can always lock myself and my family in the apartment and find indoor activities to enjoy,” said al-Jehani. Thirty-two-year-old businessman Mohammed akram said he had planned to visit his mother in Syria this summer but his plan was canceled. “It’s been a while since I visited Syria and I miss my family there. My mother is Syrian and she lives there with her sisters now,” he said. “I wanted to take my wife

and children to meet my mother’s side of

the family, but this plan was canceled. I guess I’m buying my mother a ticket to make her come here instead,” he added.

not all Saudis feel deterred by the arab Spring unrest in neighboring countries. “I do not believe Saudis or other tourists should change their vaca-tion plans because of political issues. The people who live in Egypt and Lebanon say it’s safe and they are fully functional,” said Tarik Elwan, a 34-year-old lawyer. “I am taking my wife and two children to Cairo and I know I’m going to have a blast there. I don’t believe what the media is saying about security in Egypt, I only believe what my Egyptian friends are telling me,” he added.

Beirut is not out of the picture, said nazeerah Dakheil, a 85-year-old grandmother. “I live in

Beirut and return to Jeddah four times a year. I won’t come back during the sum-

mer because it’s the best time of the year here,” she said. “I have

seen the preparations for the summer in the streets and we’ll have some entertaining festivals and activities for tourists. It doesn’t make sense for me to go back to Saudi where nothing is happening,” she added. Dakheil said that she had invited her children and grandchildren to visit Beirut’s sum-mer festival with her.

Dubai has been on the rise as an attractive desti-nation during summer. “Dubai is the best option there after Beirut, I love going there. The city has plenty to offer from shopping, entertainment and other activities for my family,” said Fatima Sabri, a 22-year-old college student. “We should be extra careful with politics and we never know what’s going to happen next in the arab Spring. I think it’s best to stay close to home,” she added.

Choosing to spend the vacation outside the arab countries is the smart thing to do, said Elham al-Houti, a mother of two. “My husband and I cal-culated how much we would be spending in Dubai and compared it to Istanbul. We found that we would be spending the exact same thing,” she said. “This made us decide to shift our vacation to Europe and we expect to have more fun there. It will also give my daughters a chance to see

Istanbul for the first time,” she added.“arab countries are best visited any-

time of the year, except in the sum-mer,” said 26-year-old stay-at-

home mother alaa ahdal.

The Giza pyramids.

JEDDAH: RIMA AL-MUKHTARarab news staff

Where to go in 2012JET vAn EEgHEnjetvaneeghen@arabnews.com

IF you’re one of those people who hasn’t found the time yet to book that relaxing, inspiring yet slightly quirky

destination for your next vacation, here’s arab news’ list for the best places to visit in 2012.

Tree houseIf sleeping in a regular house has become a bit of a bore to you, why not try a tree house? Cabanes als arbres in Sant Hilari Sacalm, at a short distance from Barcelona, offers the pleasure of a stay in a house that is only accessible by ladder. The terrace of each cabin offers superb mountain views and breakfast is served in a basket that you can hoist up by pull-ing on a rope.

www.cabanesalsarbres.com

Island in the sunOnly a small dot in French Polynesia is the island of nuku Hiva. It enchanted the famous Paul Gaugain, who painted many colorful paintings here, and it’s easy to see why. The azure colors of the ocean lap the white sands invitingly as the lush jungle beckons at the other edge of the beach. although Internet and mobile phones have made an entrance on the island, it still holds fast to its old charm.

www.pearlresorts.com

Greek windmillsKissamos Windmills are located on the Greek island of Crete in Drapanias, a coastal village near a great beach and surrounded by olive groves. The accom-modation had been built to resemble traditional Greek windmills, which can sleep two to six people. It is a great way to experience the famous Cretan hospi-tality and the idyllic surroundings.

www.anemomyloi.gr

Rock ‘n RollThe Pavilion Hotel in central London is small, funky and ideal for artistically mind-ed people. Its 30 rooms have each been designed individually and bear names such as ‘Green With Envy, ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and ‘Casablanca nights’.

The hotel has rapidly become extremely popular with supermodels, actors, musi-cians and TV stars. If you’re looking for something different and glam, then the

Pavilion is definitely for you.www.pavilionhoteluk.com

Holy cityOnce a large commercial center on the Great Silk Road, Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities of Uzbekistan. Since Sheikh Bahautdin nakshbandi developed the mysti-cal Sufi approach to philosophy, religion and Islam in this place, the city has acquired a reputation throughout the Islamic world. The 350 mosques and many historical and architectural monuments attract an increas-ing number of people to this ‘museum city’.

Olympic spiritTo soak up some Olympic spirit, while giv-ing London - this year’s host – a miss, you may want to consider Whistler in Canada. The city was host to the Winter Games in 2010 and is now ensuring its visitors can enjoy the facilities to the fullest. Of course the Olympic venues warrant a visit, but make sure you also enjoy the hiking, sum-mer skiing, bear viewing and rafting.

www.whistler.com

Narrow streetsIn southeast Europe, in Montenegro, lies the city of Kotor on the coast of the adriatic Sea. The most famous part of the city is its old town, where history, culture, and tradi-tion are being preserved. It boasts a great number of medieval monuments: church-es, cathedrals, palaces, and museums. a

multitude of narrow streets, squares, and markets complete its beauty. The old nucle-us of Kotor has been listed an UnESCO world heritage site since 1979 and is con-sidered to be the best-preserved medieval urban entity in the Mediterranean.

www.visit-montenegro.com

Under waterHas scuba diving and the world below the sea surface always attracted you? The Poseidon Undersea Resort in Fiji is the world’s first seafloor resort and the only place where you can spend a couple of days 40 feet under water in a luxurious environ-ment. The resort is located in the crystal clear water of a Fiji lagoon and is accessed by elevator. Make sure to bring a fair bit of money, as a week’s stay at the Poseidon will set you back about $ 30,000.

www.poseidonresorts.com

Victoria FallsThe Stanley Safari Lodge in Zambia is the perfect gateway to the mighty Victoria Falls and exclusive getaway in an african setting. The views of the falls’ sprays in the distance and the mighty Zambezi River are splendid.

Take a helicopter or a microlight flight to enjoy the falls from above. Or enjoy a sunset cruise, river safari, or canoe trip. For the more adventurous among you, take one of the best rafting trips in the world, go for a bungee jump, gorge swing or abseil.

www.stanleysafaris.com

Cabanes als Arbres

The Rosewood Red Sea romance package

ROSEWOOD Corniche Jeddah presents to you the Red Sea Romance Package offering newlyweds the stay of their dreams.

The package is perfect for honeymooners, or couples who are looking for a romantic getaway or celebrate an anniversary.

“We are committed to providing an outstanding level of ser-vices to couples who want to have a chance to unwind and reconnect,” said Hans-Peter Leitzke, managing director of Rosewood Corniche. “For those who expect nothing but the very finest, we are the best equipped, ultra luxury property to meet everyone’s needs, whether you are on a flawless honeymoon, want to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or an amorous week-end away,” he added.

The room is located on the 12th floor with a great view of the Red Sea from full-length bay windows. The room includes a white king-size bed, carpets in the color of the deep blue sea, and three plasma TVs — two in the room and one in the bathroom.

The room’s lounge is an ideal location to conduct both busi-ness and leisure activities, with unparalleled service from the dedicated staff and superb amenities.

Complimentary fresh fruit, flowers, water and coffee is added daily to the room.

The Room Management System (RMS) is a touchscreen con-trol that is placed next to the bed to control the room tempera-ture, lighting and curtains. At the door is a small camera to help

the couple see who is at the door without having to get up.Red rose petals are scattered around the room and bathroom

floor as well as on the bed. The couple will also find two swans made out of white textile placed on the bed, as swans represent romance and pure love.

The room includes a 24-hour personal butler service that is just a phone call away. The butler offers personal service to cater to the couple’s demands and needs.

The romantic package includes a welcoming drink presented by the butler, a special cake catered to the couple’s favorite fla-vors, a personal message, a thank-you note from the hotel manager, a flower bouquet, and non-alcoholic bubbly.

The next day, the couple can enjoy a breakfast in bed as well as a late checkout, allowing them to take pleasure in their hon-eymoon at Rosewood Corniche before leaving the premier hotel for a happily ever after.

Rosewood Corniche is ideally positioned on Jeddah’s Corniche in one of the city’s most impressive districts, although you won’t need to leave your haven at any point, as Rosewood’s friendly and professional staff will take very good care of you.

As the premier hotel in Jeddah, the stunning Rosewood Corniche redefines modern elegance and offers unparalleled personal service and world-class amenities, including a 24-hour butler service for each of the 127 guest rooms and suites. Those wishing to take advantage of the Red Sea Romance packages are encouraged to visit www.rosewoodhotels.com/corniche or book through their preferred travel agent.

11Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Festivals galore in Kingdom this summer

The Kingdom is buzzing with exciting festivals and innovative events this summer — an indication of its bloom-ing domestic tourism sector.

Abdullah Al-Jehani, vice president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), said all prepara-tions were in place for the 27 festivals and events to be held across the length and breadth of the Kingdom, which comprise five festivals in Qassim, four in Baha, four in Tabuk, two in Al-Jauf, Al-Ahsa and Riyadh, and one in Jeddah, Najran, Jazan, Abha, Madinah, Dammam, Hail and Taif.

Here’s a roundup of some of the big events that will be organized by the SCTA in cooperation with tourism development councils across the Kingdom’s regions and cities.

Jeddah Ghair: Starting today, Jeddawis will be treated to a range of exciting activities under the aegis of

the Jeddah Summer Festival 2012, popularly known as Jeddah Ghair. This year’s festival, which runs until July 12, features over 150 activities including cultural, social, sports, and entertainment events to be held at the Jeddah Corniche, leading malls, parks, and public squares.

Riyadh Shopping and Entertainment Festival: With the participation of a number of commer-cial and entertainment centers and hotels in the Kingdom in addition to eight international teams adding to the entertainment quotient of the festival, the Riyadh festival is all geared up to provide the best in fun and pleasure within the frameworks of community values to its visitors.

Hail Summer Festival: An adven-ture-filled, month-long festival ( June 15-July 15) comprising of many recre-ational activities, competitions, poetry readings and exhibitions and popular markets will be held in different places

of Hail. Highlights include Saudi Ardah (folklore dance), arts and photo exhi-bitions, poetry events, sky gliding, heri-tage expos, children’s theater, tours with cartoon characters, and a blood donation campaign, among other pro-grams.

Abha Brings Us Together Festival:The festival, held from June 14-July

18, features various entertainment activities, such as theatrical perfor-mances, a productive families expo, shopping outlets, Asiri folklore, games, and prizes worth SR500,000 for the visitors, among a number of other wide-ranging programs.

Festival of Diving: The first festival dedicated to diving events will be held on the shores of Magna, Tabuk, from July 2 until July 6, 2012. Not only does the festival promise an experience of a lifetime to diving aficionados in the Kingdom, it also celebrates the status of Magna as a top dive destination in the country.

arab news staff

Jeddah in a bottle: Top 10 places to visitFor those of you who are thinking Jeddah isn’t the right place to see things or go to places, you are wrong! Living in Jeddah does lift the spirits. There is something about the traditional Arab culture that everyone wants to know. The his-toric city, the monumental architecture and the Arab culture are what make it interesting and different from other countries.

There is always somewhere to stay, dine in, shop, see, and… what not?

BaladYou have not completed your tour of Jeddah

if you missed visiting the Balad. Also known as the historic city, Balad brings out its culture by always managing to make its guests leave with happy hearts.

Makkah GateBeing one of the oldest gates in Jeddah makes

it one of the prominent sightseeing in the city.

King’s FountainSet on the coast of the Red Sea, the King’s

Fountain is one way some people actually rec-ognize the country. If you didn’t know, this fountain shoots water into the sky at a height that beats the Eiffel Tower. That sounds inter-esting now, doesn’t it? Also known as the King Fahd Water Spring, the landmark secured the

title of the world’s tallest fountain. That gives you a good reason to go take a look for yourself.

Durrat Al-ArusThis could be your ultimate vacation spot.

You get to swim, shop, hang out, flaunt your skills on a jet ski, host BBQ parties, chill, and what not? Durrat Al-Arus is one of the luxurious resorts in the city, and if you still haven’t visited the place, you are certainly going to have to include it in your list of must-dos while you are still in Jeddah.

Makkah Royal Clock TowerAdjacent to the Grand Mosque in the holy city

of Makkah is the world’s largest clock tower and

the second tallest skyscraper in the world after the Burj Khalifa, which makes this another prominent landmark in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The tallest tower also holds a multifac-eted five-star hotel to help provide accommoda-tion for the pilgrims that travel to Makkah annually to take part in the Haj.

Mall of ArabiaThere is Aziz Mall, Serafi Mega Mall, Red Sea

Mall, Al-Andalus Mall, but this is different – it is the massive Mall of Arabia. Whether you are a shopaholic, foodaholic, a fashionista or an entertainment junkie, you are never disap-

pointed with the variety of stuff available at the mall.

Floating MosqueSitting on the coast of the Red Sea, this

mosque has been one of the sacred sites attracting numerous visitors. This wonderful mosque is a combination of contemporary architecture with ancient Islamic building art. A definite must-see when visiting the Corniche.

ObhurWhen it comes to beaches in Saudi, Obhur

leads them all. Obhur has its visitors all times of the day. You get to swim, wash your feet, play, pick shells, enjoy the summer sun and even take a walk allowing the breeze hit your face.

Rosewood Corniche HotelThe hotel is known as the epitome of Arabian

hospitality, always promising to present supreme elegance, luxury and personal service. What makes Rosewood special is the spectacular view of the Red Sea. Inside the hotel, guests experi-ence an assorted array of world-class cuisine touching the striking coastal surroundings.

Sail IslandNow this place is fun! It is a mini park and

resort. There is a kids’ swimming pool, sand area, theater activity, jumping castle, arcade center, and gift shop. They guarantee an experi-ence of a lifetime.

Fadia JiFFryarab news staff

Makkah Gate Sail Island

Jeddah: araB NeWS

aFiFa JaBeeN QuraiShi

Floating Mosque Mall of Arabia

Durrat Al Arus

Balad (Photos by M. H. Siddiqui)

Obhur King’s Fountain