In northwest Saudi Arabia is an alluring city of vast desert valleys, rocky outcrops and unspoiled landscapes likened to the surface of Mars. This is the wondrous city of Al Ula, a place few have visited. When it comes to opulent sojourns, the Saudi Arabia travel experience  may not be the first place that comes to mind. But, the Winter at Tantora Festival will unfailingly ignite one’s wanderlust. Desert hiking, culinary experiences in pop-up restaurants, captivating music, and art installations feature in the entertainment-packed weekends between December and March. We join prolific travel photographer Christina Tan on her journey to uncovering Season 2; its second festival held so far.

Tan kicked off January 2020 with an invitation from the Royal Commission for Al Ula (RCU) to be among the first travel influencers to experience and promote Al Ula’s tourism. She was offered the festival’s Platinum package, a ticket including full board, private accommodation and activities for her 2-night and 3-day excursion. Despite not expecting it at first, Al Ula’s ‘very sophisticated and modern culture’ pleasantly surprised her.

Video Credit Christina Tan

Al Ula’s otherworldly beauty is further captured in its accommodation. The Shaden RV site is the epitome of glamping, with Airstream RVs imported from the USA for Winter at Tantora. They come fully equipped with a pristine kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and in the morning, a continental breakfast is delivered in a box to your door. Tan marvels at her stay in this ‘out of the world accommodation’ surrounded by glorious rock formations. Here, the only peace disturbed is the day to night transition, guaranteeing you’ll never find a more relaxing camping experience elsewhere in the world.

For catching more of Al Ula’s natural attractions, Elephant Rock is the one to see. This over 50m stone marvel looks like an elephant’s side profile, hence its namesake. Tan woke up in the early hours of the morning to capture it at sunrise on her second day, recalling it as ‘incredible’.

Video Credit Royal Commission of Al Ula

For a rare perspective of Al Ula, you should send your spirits soaring with an exhilarating aviation tour of its landscape on a TA-521 1943 vintage aircraft. Strap on your khaki uniform and watch the rocky scenery shrink below you as you take off. Nothing comes close to drifting above Al Ula’s outcrops against a horizon of clear blue skies and aureate sand.

Al Ula’s ultimate al fresco luncheon is at the Sass Café. Originally based in Monaco, its Mediterranean and internationally influenced cuisine is brought to Al Ula in the form of a pop-up restaurant. Its tables and ornate lamps are situated right on the sand, enveloped by magnificently tall rocks. The atmosphere is complete with the romantic glow of fire lamps and the soothing buzz of lounge music provided live from a DJ booth. Of course, the pièce de résistance is the food, handcrafted by a French chef. Part of the set menu for Winter at Tantora 2020 included a leafy green salad with succulent prawns, cherry tomatoes and a poached egg, followed by a cooling raspberry sorbet served over luscious fruit. Tan had the utmost pleasure of sampling these delicacies herself, calling them ‘fresh and exceptional’.

La Cantine Du Faubourg is yet another pop-up masterpiece at Winter at Tantora, hailing from the picturesque city of Montpellier. The atmosphere of La Cantine is breath-taking as it is set in a cosy alcove where the rocks above glow from vibrant light installations. Calming lounge music greets you as you enter, preparing you for a dinner like no other. The restaurant sports a modern look, with ebony furniture contrasting the pale white napkins and windmill palm trees. Tan indulged in the ‘fresh’ food of La Cantine, and fully recommends you to try the experience for yourself. On this year’s set menu, one of the exciting dishes blended Grilled lamb chops with cashews, dried apricot, and red curry in peanut oil.

One Saudi Arabia travel experience of Winter at Tantora’s most prestigious and unmissable events is the Al Ula Desert Polo match. The playing field comes to life as you cheer with the crowd, horses kick up the sand and players go for that winning goal. This year, desert polo made its world debut at the UNESCO Heritage site of Al Ula. Both the rehearsal and official matches took place over the Winter at Tantora weekend, where the copious amount of polo aficionados consisted of Middle Eastern princes and princesses. During this event, Tan bumped into old friend Jeremy Jauncey, Founder and CEO of the world’s most popular travel Instagram account, Beautiful Destinations. Before 2020, Desert Polo would have been an event most could only dream of attending, but you can make that dream a reality in Al Ula.

For even the most seasoned outdoor adventurers, The Arabian Leopard Trail is bound to surpass your expectations. Take the ride of your life on a 4X4 open air Jeep, as you tear up the desert sands behind you. Tan recalls her final event in Al Ula as being an ‘intense adrenaline rush’. You can also hike on the trail, where the enormous rocks encompassing you are part of a ‘serene untouched area’, Tan says.

One should also prepare for an electrifying odyssey of sound at the Maraya Concert Hall, a must-see at Winter at Tantora. This grand building is almost concealed in plain sight, encircled by mirrors reflecting its extraordinary surroundings. Inside, the Main Auditorium features a vast stage space beautifully illuminated by colourful beams of light. This year’s concert paid tribute to Arabic culture with an enchanting repertoire of traditional music, capturing  Al Ula’s charming essence. This coupled with delicious refreshments in their elegant VIP lounge was enough to deeply move Tan on her final extravagant night in Al Ula.

Some of Al Ula’s riveting history is discernible in the Jabal ‘Ikmah, the world’s oldest open-air library. It contains inscriptions from the Lihyanic and Dadanitic eras engraved on the rocks, and as you wander among them, you discover a key to Al Ula’s ancient Dadanitic language. On her guided tour of Jabal ‘Ikmah, Tan learnt there is definitely more to the rocks than meets the eye.

Delve even deeper into Al Ula’s history at Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hegra. You can almost hear the whispers of the past carried with the wind and sand as you explore over 100 tombs. It is revealed that Hegra dates as far back as 1892 BC, with some of its parts yet to be unveiled. Your visit feel even more special since Hegra is only open to those attending Winter at Tantora during the festival. Tan spent her final morning in Hegra, taking spellbinding photos of this global artefact which will last an eternity and more.

From the thrill of the Desert Polo to the outstanding performance at Maraya Concert Hall, Al Ula truly ‘left a lasting impression’ on Tan as she already plans to return for Season 3 in 2021. Its  sports, cultural and music activities as well as its otherworldly accommodation and dining are bound to bounce Winter at Tantora to the top of the travel bucket list. Saudi Arabia makes offers an enriching experience for business or pleasure and getting a Saudi Business Visa is easily attainable.  When considering a Saudi Arabia travel experience, unlike before, what will come to mind now is the festival unlike any other the world has to offer.

Photos by Christina Tan, Editorial by Melina Notidou