Mecca | Abha

Home to two of Islam's holiest cities 'Mecca and Medina' Saudi Arabia also boasts number modern, thriving. oil-rich metropolises. The desert and mountain scenery are spectacular, the archaeological sites impressive (some of the Middle East's best) with a society coming to terms with their deeply conservative religious convictions and modern life spurred by the oil boom. The western part of the kingdom is dominated by a mountain chain which runs the entire length of the country. But about half the country is made by of Rub' Al-Khali, or the Empty Quarter, the w2orld's largest sand desert. 
With another great desert sprawling across Saudi Arabia's northwestern region, the central and northern areas are mostly gravelly plains, the east flat and low-lying. Jeddah is a thriving business center on the Red Sea with the capital Riyadh possessing some surprisingly monumental Islamic edifices. The eastern coast is home to a busy city of oil refineries and industrial ports. 
Temperatures can soar to 45 degrees in summer but drop to a cool 15 in the dead of winter (Dec.-Jan.). Rainfall can come about just about anytime in the coastal areas but very little rain falls in Riyadh.

Mecca
The holy city of Mecca is the destination of hundreds of millions of faithful from around the world who visit during the year but particularly during the pilgrimage period. The city has inspiring sights of religious devotion. Being in Mecca is an exhilarating experience in itself. The city has accommodation to suit every need: from modest family-style inns to five-stars.
Hyatt Regency - Mecca 
Situated just 700 meters from the Holy Mosque right in the heart of The Holy City this impressive new luxury hotel offers 200 beautiful rooms including 40 suites. The hotel's stylish dining facilities offers a wide choice of quality cuisine to suite every taste. 
Within the hotel complex there is underground parking for over 300 cars, a modern shopping center and over 100 fully furnished apartments offering 5 star service. There is a non-stop courtesy shuttle service to and from the Holy Mosque.
Mecca Hilton 
This large luxurious building soars 31 floors to provide out-standing views of Al Haram. 
Over 600 deluxe rooms suites all beautifully fitted create an oasis of comfort. Five different eating outlets each creates it's own atmosphere to supplement the 24 hour room service. Adjacent to the hotel is an extremely modern shopping center and a large car parking facility.

Abha
Saudi Arabia's smallest province, Abha unfolds on a hill beside the charming Lake Sadd. An amusement park (with bumper cars, a bowling alley. Boat rides, water slides and other water sports) will keep the Family entertained, and a cable car (special cabins for the handicapped) takes passengers to the surrounding mountain peaks providing dramatic vistas over the valley. Abha's fully equipped health and sports center is ideal a workout or relaxation. If you like winding highways through mountain passes, you can drive to Abha from Jeddah or fly it in just under an hour. Even is summer, mountain breezes keep the province wonderfully pleasant. Wild flowers carpet the hillsides. Among the fruits and vegetables growing in Abha are forests of olive and juniper trees.
Abha Resort and Abha Palace
150 rooms, American managed; 112 luxury 3-bedroom, 27 5-bedroom villas, 114 land 2-bedroom apartments, 60-studio motels. 
Syahya Airport Motel
60 rooms, 10 luxury villas; restaurant, several cafeterias, shopping center .
Al Baha 
Halfway between Taif and Abha, Al Baha is in the Tihama Valley surrounded by the soaring Sarawat Mountains, Al Baha is a wonderful getaway-from-it-all spot in a natural setting. Forests of olive and juniper add to the beauty of the plains.
Al baha Motel
Sits atop Mehran mountains overlooking Al Baha, 2.600 metres above sea level; igloolike domed bungalows, ideal for family accommodation/ airport shuttle/ 1 restaurant (international-local specialities), covered tennis court.

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