00:00I'm Lilly Douse and this is Grand Voyager.
00:04From my base in Qatar I travel the world to discover incredible places filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way I meet the people, taste the flavours and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:22Today 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.
00:41The place where the kingdom's story began.
00:44At its heart lies Ataraif, 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.
01:18Sara, thank you so much for showing me around today. This is incredible. Please explain a little bit about this place.
01:25First of all, I'm delighted to have you here today, Lilly, in the Dariya.
01:29We are now in the Tariya district. As you can see, it actually has the real culture of Najdi, architectural and authenticity of our traditions.
01:39Also, Ataraif, it's gained the world UNESCO recognition for the site.
01:46Ataraif spans 160,000 square meters and is one of the largest heritage restoration projects in the region.
01:54Wandering 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.
02:11At its center stands Salwa Palace, the largest structure in Ataraif.
02:17This is one of the important places that you should see. This wasn't only a residential home for the ruler.
02:24It was actually the administrative and the political center from the first Saudi state.
02:31That is incredible. What an amazing building.
02:35Ataraif gives a real glimpse into Saudi Arabia's past.
02:39Fully 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. It's a perfect way to end my experience with Sara.
03:04Let me do that for you, Lily. I 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. It actually comes from the soul.
03:32Saudi warmth is about more than just generosity. It's deeply rooted in the culture.
03:38The food and Sara's kindness reflect the spirit that defines life here.
03:45After an incredible meal, I'm heading off to see another side of Daria.
03:51Not far from here lies Wadi Safar, a wide open valley set to become one of the most exciting new destinations in the region.
04:00The 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,
04:31and 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, OK? So 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. So this part of the golf club here is the club face, OK? So 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.
05:18When you make your motion off the swing, the club face is then squarer at the point of impact.
05:22OK. Grip's looking good. Now just focus your eyes on that golf ball. Keep that head nice and still and strike down towards the ground. Good.
05:32Well done.
05:33With each swing, it's starting to feel more natural.
05:36Callum shows me how to putt on the practice putting green. And with the ball finally going into the hole,
05:42it'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.
05:52Ah, fantastic!
05:54Yes!
05:55Great golf shot.
05:56Thank you so much, Callum.
05:57No problem at all, Lily.
05:59After an incredible day out on the course, I'm heading to get a better view of it all.
06:05It's been such a rewarding experience, and I want to take in this beautiful landscape from the perfect vantage point.
06:15I've had such an incredible day here today. Wadi Safa truly is the epitome of heritage meets luxury.
06:23Not far from here lies Wadi Hanifa, a long green valley that winds through the heart of the old city.
06:33Once an oasis in the desert, it's now a peaceful place to walk, cycle and enjoy nature.
06:41Cycling in this area is really relaxing. The cool breeze and stunning views make it a perfect way to explore and exercise.
06:51Just a short ride away stands Bab Sam Han Hotel, a luxurious retreat with real historical roots.
07:01Miss Lily, welcome to Bab Sam Han.
07:03The hotel's general manager, Fabrice Ducray, is here to tell me more about the story behind the hotel.
07:10The hotel itself actually is a historical site. It started off in the Ministry of Culture, wanting to renovate a few houses, Najdi houses.
07:20And then one thing led to the other that's turned into the hotel that it is today.
07:26What began as a simple restoration project has evolved into one of Daria's most remarkable hotels.
07:32Bab Sam Han blends original features with heritage inspired designs.
07:38What I love about this place is how it captures the essence of Daria. Heritage, culture and beauty all in one.
07:48Each suite here reflects Daria's history, crafted with natural materials and decorative touches.
07:56This royal suite perfectly balances tradition and luxury.
08:00A colorful space that feels truly part of Daria's story.
08:04Just outside Riyadh, in the desert area of Al Muzamia, I am 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.
08:35Hello 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 Naj.
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.
08:59Arabian horses are known for their unique appearance, strength and gentle nature.
09:05Let me introduce you to our mares.
09:07Yes.
09:08So most of our mares are located on this side.
09:11So we separate the mares and the stallions and we also bring 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 the 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.
09:55Yes.
09:56It says a lot, doesn't it?
09:57The 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, and 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.
10:30So, first of all, I need to give you a little bit of guidance.
10:33Okay?
10:34So, when it comes to horses, always come from the front side, not the back side.
10:38Okay?
10:39Especially if you do not know the horse, it might kick.
10:42And always try to make some noise so the horse is alert and knows that you are around him.
10:47Okay?
10:48With Salma's help, I climb into the saddle.
10:50It's a little higher than I expected, but once I'm up, there's an incredible sense of calm and connection.
10:57So, let me show you how we hold the reins.
10:59So, we put your hands like this inside, like that, and the same thing on the other side.
11:04Okay?
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, come towards me.
11:20Yes, and when you're in front of me, you stop the horse.
11:25We 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.
11:46I mean, horse riding in the desert, it doesn't get much better than this.
11:50But now, onto the next adventure.
11:57but now, everyone knows what hi ha What's going on here all the time there is.
11:59over the last park.
12:00I'm staring from the
12:09aboard the boat all over the rest and see theauthor on Earth, so, let's join the plane so...
12:12I'm Kiomma and Rock and Rock and Rock of connect all the way.
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