Saudi Arabia’s newest travel experience is an Airstream trailer glamping site surrounded by sandstone cliffs and palm groves.
The new glamping site is inspired by Bedouins who used to roam this region on the kingdom's ancient Incense Routes. Human connection and adventure are at the heart of the kingdom's newest place to stay.
“We’ve chosen AlUla — one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula — as our first outpost for this new, immersive concept for its history, culture and natural heritage.
Oliver Ripley,
Habitas
Guests at Caravan AlUla will stay in gleaming Airstream trailers nestled in a U-shape formation in the craggy Arabian valley.
Each trailer comes with a view and private outdoor deck. Guests will get around the site on off-road electric bikes.
Trailers are fully air-conditioned with a queen-sized bed, indoor lounge, kitchenette, separate shower, bathroom and free Wi-Fi.
Designed to bring out guests' inner child, trailers have lots of fun details including colouring books, disco lights, scalp massagers and curated collections of storybooks.
This is the debut of Caravan by Habitas, the latest experience from the hotel group famed for its experience-led, eco-conscious offerings.
“We are excited to expand our brand in a new direction and to offer a new type of experience, we invite people to come on an adventure, to play in raw nature,” said co-founder and chief executive of Habitas, Oliver Ripley.
“We’ve chosen AlUla — one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula — as our first outpost for this new, immersive concept for its history, culture and natural heritage. We hope that our Caravan concept will provide travellers with a unique way to discover new and untapped destinations around the world, in nature and activating unique and experiential accommodation.”
Firepits, stargazing and outdoor cinema
In the centre of Caravan AlUla is the gathering tent, a communal place where guests can come together to drink tea, play board games and reconnect with others.
Peppered with antiques and heritage crafts from across the kingdom, it's also where guests will find a large outdoor firepit, the best place to take in the star-filled skies of north-west Saudi Arabia.
Evenings at the glamping site will also be for outdoor cinema sessions, with films projected on to the rocks and served with freshly made popcorn.
Billed as an immersive experience, there’s plenty to keep guests entertained including a games room, yoga deck and library.
Regular performances and events will also take place including cultural shows and interactive art installations. Children are welcome and there's a desert-inspired jungle gym and teddy bear tent.
An adventure travel programme will offer activities such as canyon crossings, dessert treks, horse riding and desert survival skills.
Affordable rates and access to Habitas AlUla
Dining in the desert comes via food trucks, with a choice of three on-site. There’s a mirrored pizza truck, a locally-inspired coffee cart and a bright pink ice cream van that will hand out free home-made ice-creams. There's also a family-style dining hall.
Overnight rates at Caravan AlUla start from 1,500 Saudi riyals ($400) per night, making it notably more affordable than Habitas AlUla, the company's inaugural property in Saudi Arabia, which is less than a five-minute drive away.
Guests get access to all of the facilities at the neighbouring 100-room, five-star hotel including to restaurants, leisure offerings and the state-of-the art Thuraya Wellness spa.
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
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- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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