4. EXPLORE SAUDI ARABIA

As one of the largest countries in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is a country with a wealth of landscapes – from exotic coral seas to expansive deserts and untouched dunes. In fact, 30% of the land in Saudi Arabia is covered by desert, including the Rub-al-Khali in the south, and the Great Nafud in the north. With few small amounts of water, life and vegetation in the deserts of Saudi Arabia is very sparse. Saudi also has some jaw-dropping landscapes to visit, including the Jebel Fihrayn which is also known as ‘The Edge of the World’. This 300-metre high escarpment will make you feel as if you are, quite literally, on the edge of the Earth, with expansive views across the rocky valley. Other places to visit include the city of Jeddah, the city of Ha’il and the Al-Ahsa region (which, in contrast, is very lush and green compared to other parts of the country as it homes over 150 natural springs). From Saudi Arabia, you can also visit the ancient city of Petra in its neighbouring country Jordan. The country itself is slowly becoming more progressive so it’s worth keeping an eye on over the next few years.