Grand Voyager | Alla scoperta di Diriyah, Arabia Saudita
Dagli antichi palazzi in mattoni di fango ai lussureggianti campi da golf, Diriyah fonde tradizione, cultura e raffinatezza moderna. Ma cos'è che rende questo quartiere storico una destinazione così affascinante per residenti e visitatori?
In collaborazione con Media City
ALTRE INFORMAZIONI : http://it.euronews.com/2025/10/29/grand-voyager-alla-scoperta-di-diriyah-arabia-saudita
00:05From my base in Qatar, I travel the world to discover incredible places filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:14Along the way, I meet the people, taste the flavours and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:21Today, I'm heading to a place where history, heritage and luxury come together.
00:33Just a short flight from Qatar.
00:36Dariya is one of Saudi Arabia's most important historical destinations.
00:40The place where the kingdom's story began.
00:44At its heart lies At-Taraif, a heritage site that once served as the capital of the first Saudi state.
00:52Known as the City of Earth for its distinctive mud brick architecture, it's built from the very soil it sits upon.
00:59I'm here to discover its timeless beauty from ancient roots to modern hospitality and explore what makes this place truly remarkable.
01:10To start my journey, I've arranged to meet Sara Alfrayan, a cultural guide with a deep passion for local heritage.
01:17Sara, thank you so much for showing me around today.
01:21This is incredible.
01:23Please explain a little bit about this place.
01:25First of all, I'm delighted to have you here today, Lily, in the Dariya.
01:29We are now in the Taraif district.
01:31As you can see, it actually has the real culture of Najdi, architectural and authenticity of our traditions.
01:39Also, At-Taraif, it's gained the world UNESCO recognition for this site.
01:46At-Taraif spans 160,000 square meters and is one of the largest heritage restoration projects in the region.
01:53Wandering through its walkways and courtyards with Sara, I can almost picture what life was once like here.
02:01This district was home to mosques, schools and family houses, a thriving community long before Riyadh became the nation's capital.
02:09At its center stands Sawa Palace, the largest structure in At-Taraif.
02:17This is one of the important places that you should see.
02:20This wasn't only a residential home for the ruler.
02:24It was actually the administrative and the political center from the first Saudi state.
02:30That is incredible. What an amazing building.
02:35At-Taraif gives a real glimpse into Saudi Arabia's past.
02:38Fully restored, yet still full of life and tradition.
02:44Close by, that same heritage continues in a different way, through food.
02:50Sara has invited me to a local restaurant to try some authentic Saudi flavors.
02:56Here, traditional dishes are given a modern touch.
02:59It's a perfect way to end my experience with Sara.
03:04Let me do that for you, Lily.
03:05I want to take care of you today and to welcome you to our signature dishes.
03:13Thank you so much. You truly have welcomed me and sharing food with you is incredible.
03:18Why is food such an important part of the Arabic culture?
03:21Actually, you know, the food is representing the culture and the customs of the people.
03:26And the hospitality is actually very important to us in Saudi Arabia.
03:31It actually comes from the soul.
03:33Saudi warmth is about more than just generosity.
03:36It's deeply rooted in the culture.
03:40The food and Sara's kindness reflect the spirit that defines life here.
03:44After an incredible meal, I'm heading off to see another side of Daria.
03:49Not far from here lies Wadi Safar, a wide open valley set to become one of the most exciting new destinations in the region.
04:01The clubhouses and academy buildings are inspired by traditional architecture, blending local heritage with contemporary design.
04:09My coach today is Callum, an experienced golf instructor, and we're starting with some practice at the club's brand new driving range.
04:17Hello, Callum. It's such a pleasure to meet you.
04:20Good morning, Lily. Lovely to have you.
04:22I'm so excited to be here. What is in store for me today?
04:25So in store we have a warm-up area on the driving range first before we head over to the putting green, get a little practice there, and then we're going to head out on the academy course for some golf.
04:34This sport is all about precision and patience, and with Callum's help, I'm hoping to get the hang of it.
04:41How we would hold the club first, okay?
04:43So the left hand would go at the top of the golf club with our left thumb running down towards the club head.
04:48Next would be aim.
04:50So this part of the golf club here is the club face, okay?
04:52So that's an important part, especially when we're aiming for a certain target.
04:56So what we're looking for is to line the centre of the club face up to the intended target line on the driving range.
05:02There's a lot to think about, how to hold the club, how to line it up, and how to stay loose and relaxed.
05:08As I become more confident, Callum shows me how to bring it all together.
05:13When we put that back down and we take that stronger grip, that's what it's called.
05:17Yeah.
05:17When you make your motion off the swing, the club face is then squarer at the point of impact.
05:22Okay, grip's looking good.
05:25Now just focus your eyes on that golf ball.
05:27Keep that head nice and still and strike down towards the ground.
05:30Good.
05:32Well done.
05:33With each swing, it's starting to feel more natural.
05:37Callum shows me how to putt on the practice putting green.
05:40And with the ball finally going into the hole, it's time to head out onto the course to put it all together.
05:48A few good shots later, and I'm really starting to enjoy it.
05:52Oh, fantastic.
05:54Yes.
05:55Great golf shot.
05:56Thank you so much, Callum.
05:57No problem at all, Lily.
05:58After an incredible day out on the course, I'm heading to get a better view of it all.
06:06It's been such a rewarding experience, and I want to take in this beautiful landscape from the perfect vantage point.
06:12Not far from here lies Wadi Hanifa, a long green valley that winds through the heart of the old city.
06:31Once an oasis in the desert, it's now a peaceful place to walk, cycle, and enjoy nature.
06:40Cycling in this area is really relaxing.
06:43The cool breeze and stunning views make it a perfect way to explore and exercise.
06:52Just a short ride away stands Bab Samhan Hotel, a luxurious retreat with real historical roots.
07:01Miss Lily, welcome to Bab Samhan.
07:03The hotel's general manager, Fabrice Ducray, is here to tell me more about the story behind the hotel.
07:09The hotel itself actually is a historical site.
07:14It started off in the Ministry of Culture, wanting to renovate a few houses, nudge the houses.
07:20And then one thing led to the other that's turned into the hotel that it is today.
07:27What began as a simple restoration project has evolved into one of Doria's most remarkable hotels.
07:34Bab Samhan blends original features with heritage-inspired designs.
07:39What I love about this place is how it captures the essence of Doria.
07:44Heritage, culture, and beauty all in one.
07:49Each suite here reflects Doria's history.
07:52Crafted with natural materials and decorative touches.
07:56This royal suite perfectly balances tradition and luxury.
08:00A colorful space that feels truly part of Doria's story.
08:04Just outside Riyadh, in the desert area of Al-Muzamia, I'm meeting Salma Tari, a skilled rider and Arabian horse enthusiast.
08:18Known online as La Cavliere Eligon, she has inspired over a million followers across Saudi Arabia and beyond with her epic cinematic videos.
08:28Today, she has something special lined up for me.
08:33Hello Salma, thank you so much for having me today.
08:35Hello Salma, thank you so much for having me today.
08:38Thank you, it's really nice to have you here.
08:40This is absolutely incredible. What are we doing today?
08:43Thank you, so I'm happy to have you in our stable called Chalifat and Natch.
08:47And first of all, I will give you a little tour and then I will let you have your first experience with an Arabian horse.
08:53And the last part, I will be riding in the desert.
08:56Okay, let's get straight to it.
08:58Let's go.
09:00Arabian horses are known for their unique appearance, strength and gentle nature.
09:05Let me introduce you to our mares.
09:08Yes.
09:08So most of our mares are located on this side.
09:11So we separate the mares and the stallions.
09:13And we also train them to be calm and relaxed.
09:17So when the students come and train with our horses, they are comfortable because Arabian horses are quite nervous.
09:24That's why we only let our students to ride females.
09:28Arabian horses are famous for beauty shows or for endurance.
09:32When it comes to endurance horses, we train them to canter for a very long distance.
09:37And only Arabian horses can ride up to 160 kilometers.
09:41Salma takes me further around the stables where beautiful Arabian horses are everywhere.
09:47As you can see on my left, we have some mares and we can put them together.
09:53And they're all fine.
09:54They're all fine.
09:55It says a lot, doesn't it?
09:56The females are the relaxed ones.
09:58Exactly.
09:59We get on very well.
10:00And then you have the stallions against each other.
10:03And you cannot do that with stallions.
10:04If you put them together, it's just impossible.
10:07They will be fighting.
10:08Salma brings me closer to these beautiful creatures so I can get to know them better.
10:14We feed them dates, a favorite treat.
10:17And it's easy to see how much they're loved and cared for here.
10:20Next, we head to the training area where a horse and riding gear are waiting for me.
10:25Before we begin, Salma shares a few tips on how to approach a horse safely.
10:29So, first of all, I need to give you a little bit of guidance, okay?
10:33So, when it comes to horses, always come from the front side, not the back side, okay?
10:39Especially if you do not know the horse, it might kick.
10:41And always try to make some noise so the horse is alert and knows that you are around him, okay?
10:47With Salma's help, I climb into the saddle.
10:50It's a little higher than I expected.
10:52But once I'm up, there's an incredible sense of calm and connection.
10:56Let me show you how we hold the rein.
10:58So, when you put your hands like this inside, like that, and the same thing on the other side, okay?
11:05You can really sense the horse's strength, her gentleness and intelligence.
11:10But I must admit, it's hard to tell who's guiding who.
11:15And I want you to keep the horse head straight.
11:18Come towards me, yes, and when you're in front of me, you stop the horse.
11:22We leave the stables behind and head out into the open desert.
11:29Riding through the sand dunes with Salma feels like something out of a dream.
11:33The landscape, the light, and the beautiful horse beneath me feel truly special.
11:39As the sun is setting here in Saudi Arabia, I'm reflecting on what an incredible experience this has been.
11:47I mean, horse riding in the desert, it doesn't get much better than this.
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