Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

When you walk down the street of old Jeddah, strangers say, "welcome" – the locals have a very hospitable nature.

Until recently, the port city of Jeddah was the largest city in Saudi Arabia – as a result, there is a strong international influence here. Although the old city has been preserved, it is now surrounded by the newer buildings, which have sprung up in the past two decades.

The restaurants in Jeddah are superb – international cuisine is the norm. Even the small falafel stands serve good fare at low prices. The city's one-and-a-half million people are accustomed to foreigners, partly because Jeddah is close to Mecca and Medina – the two holiest cities in Islam, which attract millions of pilgrims every year.

Old Jeddah, like other cities in Saudi Arabia, comes alive at night. The souks (small market shops in outdoor malls) fill with shoppers buying clothing, carpets, gold, and food. The corniche is lined with beautiful sculptures, gardens, parks, and mosques. And if you sit in a seaside café on the boardwalk by the Red Sea, the warm salt-breeze is made saltier by the spray from King Fahd's Fountain – one of the highest fountains in the world.

At night, wander down the corniche into the new areas of Jeddah, passing palaces, hotels, and upscale apartments – all facing the waves of the Red Sea. Married couples sit together on carpets by the seashore. The humid air feels good against your skin.

You can enjoy some of the best diving in the world in Jeddah's coral reefs, or go outside the city limits for desert hiking. Or relax on private beaches and sip iced tea or Arabic coffee. My words of advice – bring sunglasses and a good sun hat, and have a great time!

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