Recently, while in Las Vegas, a cab driver asked about my work.
As soon as I mentioned Saudi, his immediate reaction was: "It must be blazing hot there!" How ironic, I thought, as his dashboard showed temperatures in the 40s, while back in Riyadh, it was in the mid-30s – and elsewhere in the mountains, much cooler.
It’s these amusing misconceptions, almost always automatic and predictable, that inspired our thinking for this issue.
So, we set out to find cooler destinations within Saudi, and from what you’ll discover, it’s shaping up to be a cool, cool summer. For those seeking respite from the heat, you need not look far; the Kingdom offers some of the best summer getaways in its more mountainous parts (p 20). There’s also a guide to stopovers from Saudi that off er a world of experiences in one trip (p 36).
And if you’re looking for a blend of luxury and exploration, Faisal Sheraiff takes us on a ride around Riyadh (p 48). We also explore far-flung locales, spending 72 hours in the streets of Madrid (p 54), travelling Sri Lanka’s beautiful south coast (p 12), and heading to some of the world’s most stunning mountain resorts (p 32).
If dreamy islands have a hold on you, two of our own, Lynda Keogh and Dalia Darweesh, fly to the Maldives and share their unforgettable experiences (p 42). There’s a selection of books and podcasts that transport you to different worlds and ways of thinking (p 86) and a summer wardrobe to keep you stylishly cool wherever the season takes you (p 82).
Plus, get a taste of excellence as Wolfgang Puck shares how he brought his culinary mastery to the Kingdom’s capital (p 66).
The heat won’t stop you this summer. Get packing and discover the coolest spots to enjoy it, at home and away.
