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Day two in Al-Baha. Layla starts at the domestic airport, heads to the Tuesday souq for mountain honey and arika, and walks the terraced slopes of Zee Ain in the late light. Practical notes on getting around the province without a car.
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Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
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Episode 18 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Al-Baha Domestic Airport, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: Al Baha Souk, Bocca do cafe, Zee Ain Heritage Village, Aqabat al-Baha, Raghadan Forest Park, Al Sahab Promenade, Location Restaurant.
Covered: Al-Baha honey and souq, Zee Ain village and terraces, Getting around Al-Baha by car, Al-Baha airport logistics, Raghadan Forest park.
Chapters:
00:00 Al-Baha Domestic Airport
02:06 Al Baha Souk
04:10 Bocca do cafe
04:56 Aqabat al-Baha
07:37 Location Restaurant
09:34 Quiet room interior
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#AlBaha #SaudiTravel #VisitSaudi #SarawatMountains #ZeeAinVillage #ArabianHoney #JuniperHoney #AlBahaSouq #RaghadanForest #SaudiSummer #MountainGetaway #HeritageVillage #SaudiArabia #HoneyFestival #TravelSaudi #SaudiFoodie
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
Layla arrives in Al-Baha, the cool highland 'Garden of the Hijaz', after a 200km drive from Ta'if. She explores the 400-year-old marble village of Thee Ain, sees the terraced fields after summer rains, and settles in for the night in the province known for honey and misty juniper forests.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
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Episode 17 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Al-Baha Domestic Airport, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Airport, Thee Ain Heritage Village, Raghadan Forest Park.
Covered: Arrival in Al-Baha, Thee Ain heritage village visit, Al-Baha honey and food scene, Raghadan Forest and summer tourism, Costs and accommodation in Al-Baha.
Chapters:
00:00 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Airport
02:27 Thee Ain Heritage Village
03:36 Heritage village, stream water
05:28 Raghadan Forest Park
06:40 Forest park ambience
07:51 City street at night
08:55 Quiet room, window open
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#SaudiArabiaTravel #AlBaha #VisitSaudi #SarawatMountains #TheeAin #HeritageVillage #HiddenGems #MountainGetaway #SummerInSaudi #SaudiTourism #RaghadanForest #HoneyFestival #SaudiFood #RoadTripKSA #AlBahahProvince #TravelPodcast
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
Layla spends her final day in Ta'if visiting a pomegranate orchard, buying honey for the road, and reflecting on the month's rhythms as she prepares to descend to Jeddah and look toward Asir.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
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Episode 16 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: Al-Shafa, Al-Hada, Old Souq Taif, King Abdullah Park, Marella.
Covered: Pomegranate harvest and fruit markets, Honey tasting and purchase, Final reflections on Ta'if, Preparing to leave and drive to Jeddah, Local food: ma'soub at Marella.
Chapters:
00:00 Hotel room early morning
03:31 Marella
04:45 King Abdullah Park
06:33 City park evening
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Taif #SaudiArabia #TravelSaudi #Pomegranate #Honey #Ma'soub #AlShafa #SarawatMountains #JeddahToTaif #SaudiTravelGuide #HighlandFruit #RoseOil #OldSouq #KingAbdullahPark #AugustInSaudi #ArabiaTravel #SlowTravel
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
Layla savors her final day in Ta'if with a morning at a local café, a walk through the old souq, an afternoon among the pomegranate orchards, and a quiet dinner of figs and honey as she prepares to leave the mountain city.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 15 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: TREE COFFEE, Al Mathnah, Souq Taif, Mallah Restaurant & Cafe, Al-Shafa, Iris boutique hotel.
Covered: Ta'if food, honey tasting, pomegranate harvest, café culture, old souq, final day reflection.
Chapters:
00:00 TREE COFFEE
01:05 Al Mathnah
02:17 Mallah Restaurant & Cafe
05:23 Iris boutique hotel
06:40 Al-Shafa
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Taif #SaudiArabia #TravelPodcast #TaifFood #TaifHoney #AlShafa #PomegranateSeason #MountainLife #SaudiTravel #RoseWater #TaifSouq #MiddleEastTravel #HiddenGemsSaudi #AugustTravel #Highlands #SaudiCulture #TravelDiaries
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
On day seven in Ta'if, Layla explores the mountain fruit markets, samples Sidr and Sumra honey, and takes a cautious drive up Al-Hada road past baboons, reflecting on the city's summer rhythm and the practical costs of highland life.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 14 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: Iris boutique hotel, SNB AlAhli branch, Al-Shafa, Al Hada road, Mallah Restaurant and Cafe, Al Mathnah district, Al Rudaf Park, Ta'if old souq.
Covered: Fruit and honey markets, Mountain driving and baboons, Banking and costs, Leisure and parks, Slow travel reflection.
Chapters:
00:00 Iris boutique hotel
02:44 Al-Shafa
05:49 Cliff top with wind
06:39 Mallah Restaurant and Cafe
08:13 Al Rudaf Park
09:42 Quiet room at night
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Taif #SaudiSummer #AlShafa #TaifHoney #PomegranateHarvest #SaudiTravel #MountainRoads #Baboons #TaifSouq #MallahRestaurant #AlRudafPark #SummerCapital #SaudiFoodie #TravelSaudi #HighlandsOfSaudi #FruitPicking
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
On day six in Ta'if, Layla explores the city's summer capital atmosphere, from the restored Souq Okaz to the Alhada Cup horse racing, tasting mountain honey and watching the sunset over the Sarawat escarpment. She reflects on Ta'if's literary heritage and the practicalities of living in this cool highland retreat.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 13 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: Souq Okaz, TREE COFFEE, Shubra Palace, Mallah Restaurant & Cafe, Al Hada cable car, King Khalid Racecourse, Warwick Taif Hotel.
Covered: Souq Okaz and literary heritage, Al Hada cable car and mountain views, Horse racing at King Khalid Racecourse, Taif honey and food, Costs and budgeting in Taif, Day trip to Al-Shafa farm.
Chapters:
00:00 TREE COFFEE
01:09 Souq Okaz
02:31 Shubra Palace
03:41 Al Hada cable car
05:02 King Khalid Racecourse
06:16 Racecourse crowd
07:59 Warwick Taif Hotel
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Taif #SaudiArabia #TravelPodcast #SaudiTravel #TaifSeason #AlHada #HorseRacing #SouqOkaz #Honey #MountainEscape #SummerCapital #TaifGuide #VisitSaudi #MiddleEastTravel #Culture #Literature #Roses #Highlands
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
On her fifth day in Ta'if, Layla visits a pomegranate orchard in Al-Shafa, samples fresh figs and grapes at a roadside stall, watches a camel race preliminary, and reflects on the city's summer rhythm and the practical costs of mountain life.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 12 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: Al Mathnah, Shubra Palace, TREE COFFEE, Al-Shafa, Al-Hada road, Mallah, King Khalid Racecourse, Jeddah.
Covered: Al-Shafa orchards and pomegranate season, Mountain honey and fruit markets, Camel racing tradition, Taif food scene: ma'soub and mutabbaq, Daily costs in Taif, Mountain road driving and baboons.
Chapters:
00:00 Al Mathnah
01:46 Al-Shafa
03:46 Mallah
05:30 Market
06:26 King Khalid Racecourse
07:26 Jeddah
08:15 City night
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Taif #SaudiArabia #TravelSaudi #AlShafa #Pomegranate #HoneyTasting #CamelRacing #SummerCapital #MountainEscape #SaudiFood #SlowTravel #TaifRose #SarawatMountains #RoadTrip #AugustInSaudi
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
On day four in Ta'if, Layla visits the Al Gadhi Rose Factory to learn how Ta'if's famous rose water is made, then returns to the old town for an evening of horse racing at King Khalid Racecourse, where she meets local families and reflects on the city's summer rhythm.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 11 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: Al Gadhi Rose Factory, Taif old souq, Mallah Restaurant and Cafe, King Khalid Racecourse, Al-Hada, Al-Shafa.
Covered: Taif rose factory and rose oil, Taif honey tasting and souq, Taif racing season and Alhada Cup, Taif food mutabbaq ma'soub, Taif summer family atmosphere.
Chapters:
00:00 Al Gadhi Rose Factory
00:36 Al-Shafa
02:36 Mallah Restaurant and Cafe
04:11 Quiet room
08:25 Al-Hada
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Taif #SaudiArabia #SaudiTravel #TaifRose #RoseFactory #AlGadhi #HorseRacing #AlhadaCup #TaifRacecourse #SidrHoney #MountainHoney #Mutabbaq #Masoub #TaifSouq #AugustInTaif #SummerInSaudi #SarawatMountains #AlHadaCableCar
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
Layla spends her third day in Ta'if among the highland orchards of Al-Shafa, tasting pomegranates and figs, learning about mountain honey, and understanding why this city is the Kingdom's summer capital.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 10 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: Al-Shafa, Al Gadhi Rose Factory, Mallah Restaurant and Cafe, King Abdullah Park, Shubra Palace, Al-Mathnah district, TREE COFFEE.
Covered: Al-Shafa agritourism, Highland fruit and honey, Taif rose legacy, Pomegranate season, Everyday costs and budgeting, Mountain village atmosphere.
Chapters:
00:00 Al-Shafa
05:13 Al Gadhi Rose Factory
06:48 Mallah Restaurant and Cafe
09:05 King Abdullah Park
10:34 Al-Mathnah district
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Taif #AlShafa #SaudiTravel #SaudiArabia #VisitSaudi #TaifPomegranates #SaudiSummer #SarawatMountains #TaifHoney #RoseFarm #SaudiFood #TravelMiddleEast #HighlandEscape #PomegranatePicking #TaifCity #SaudiCulture #MountainDrive #AugustInSaudi
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
Layla explores Ta'if's summer markets, from Sidr honey to pomegranates, visits the historic Souq and Shubra Palace, and discovers the city's cool mountain rhythm, with practical tips on buses, costs, and the upcoming camel festival.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Saudi Arabia: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Saudi Arabia guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 9 of Saudi Arabia Travel Podcast with Layla Al Qahtani. Layla Al Qahtani is in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia.
Places in this episode: Al Mathnah, Shubra Palace, Al Hada, Mallah Restaurant & Cafe, Nukhb, Al Shareef Museum, King Abdullah Park, Al Gadhi Rose Factory.
Covered: Taif old town and souq, Museum and rose heritage, Mountain road driving and baboons, Local food and honey tasting, Bus transit and costs, Summer festivals and racing season.
Chapters:
00:00 Al Mathnah
01:11 Shubra Palace
02:32 Al Hada
04:45 King Abdullah Park
06:53 THE HAT
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#SaudiArabiaTravel #Taif #TaifSummer #SaudiSummer #MountainEscape #Honey #Roses #TaifSouq #ShubraPalace #AlHada #CamelFestival #HorseRacing #SaudiFood #Mutabbaq #TravelSaudi #Vision2030 #Hejaz
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/
From the publisher's feed
This podcast follows a resident's slow route through Saudi Arabia, where the terrain is mostly sandy desert and the climate is harsh, dry and extreme. Travel here means crossing a country without rivers, between the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, and learning how settlement has shifted since oil was discovered in the 1930s.
The host moves between Riyadh, Jeddah, Ad Dammam and the oasis city of Hufuf-Mubarraz. These are not just stops: Riyadh is the capital, Jeddah faces the Red Sea, Ad Dammam sits on the Persian Gulf, and Hufuf-Mubarraz is an interior oasis in the eastern desert.
The show unfolds across seasons, with returns to the same streets and coastlines as temperatures shift from extreme heat to cooler winter days. There is no rush to cover everything. Instead, knowledge builds slowly: a market known in summer, a road understood after rain, a city learned through repeated visits.
Layla Al Qahtani lives in Saudi Arabia and stays for two years, moving between cities, coastlines and smaller towns on a route that follows the seasons. Not a week-long visit — Layla is there in every kind of weather, working out where to eat on an ordinary Tuesday, which train to take, what a festival actually feels like from the pavement.
A new episode arrives every day. Each one is short and specific: one neighbourhood, one journey, one meal, one museum worth the detour — with the practical detail that matters. What it costs. When it closes. Whether the queue is worth it. What to do when it rains. Every episode carries a full transcript and chapter markers.
☕ Enjoying the show? These episodes are free and stay that way because listeners chip in — if a coffee's worth it, support the journey: buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Part of Paris2Tokyo — one show for each of the world's hundred most-visited countries. Made for travelers, wherever you are going next.
#SaudiArabia #SaudiArabiaTravel #WesternAsia #Riyadh #TravelPodcast #Travel #Paris2Tokyo
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/saudi-arabia/