5 Days. 2n NAJRAN 5* (BB) | 2n ABHA Ø (BB)

About the destination: Najran is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen and is the capital of Najran Province. Designated as a new town, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the kingdom; its population has increased from 47,500 in 1974 and 90,983 in 1992 to 246,880 in 2004 and 505,652 in 2017. Most residents trace their roots to the ancient tribes of Yām, Mákram, and Hamdan. The people of Najran are Muslims, with Shia Ismailis forming the largest religious group. Hanbali, Shafi'i, and Maliki Sunnis make up the second-largest group, while Zaydi Shia are the smallest. The Arabic name “Najrān” has at least two meanings: it can refer to the wooden frame on which a door opens, and it can also mean “thirsty”. Local tradition holds that the land was named after the first man to settle there: Najran ibn Zaydan ibn Saba ibn Yahjub ibn Yarub ibn Qahtan. Historically, Najran was the Yemeni centre of cloth-making, and the kiswah – the cloth covering the Kaaba – was originally produced there, a practice begun by the Yemeni kings of Saba. The city once had a notable Jewish community, famous for the garments they made; according to Yemenite Jewish tradition, the Jews of Najran traced their origin to the Ten Tribes. Najran was also an important stop on the ancient Incense Route.

About the destination: Here’s an English (Ireland) translation, with subtle adjustments for Irish English phrasing and tone: Abha was known as the land of spices and fragrances by the ancient Egyptians, and over time it’s become much more than that; it’s a place of modest people and unforgettable scenery. Saudi Arabia has plenty to offer, from cool mountain resorts to scuba diving and fishing in the famous Red Sea. If you’re lucky enough to travel to Saudi Arabia—which isn’t the easiest place to get a tourist visa for—be sure to head south to the province of Asir and take in the mild weather and the beauty that Abha and the surrounding region have to offer.