Do you think it is a good idea to visit Saudi Arabia for my 2008 holiday?

Or is this a bad idea due to the current problems? I really want to see Mecca. What security advice would you suggest for 2 young women travelling alone. Thanks x

Sorry that I am the one bringing you the bad news. There is no way that 2 young women are travelling alone through the KSA. You also only would be allowed to visit Mecca when you're a Muslim what I doubt, because then you would know so. Even in this case you would have to be accompanied by a relative or husband.

Saudi Arabia does not offer any tourists visas unless very seldom to organized tour operatore.

Maybe you should get some information about your holiday destination before making plans.
Sorry, Salam

Your not allowed to see Mecca unless your a Muslim

http://wikitravel.org/en/Saudi_Arabia

read the website, its virtually impossible for you if your a westerner. Try somewhere like Dubia instead. Why would you want to visit a country that goes out of its way not to welcome you ?

not much of a touristic country.. especially for women

umm.. i'd go with everyone else. i was born and brought up there and now i live in north america.. and when i go back for summers.. i get bored!!!

If you have family then go visit them but other than old cities, people who stare, and the heat.. you'll maybe not find much.

Try UAE... its kinda like saudi arabia and like new york mixed.. i loved it!

It's a bad idea if the MOTUA'A who called coco(a man with a short thob(the traditional cloth for saudis)and long beard) see u he would kill u certinly.that's in Ryiadh but if u want to come to Jeddah u can there r no much problems there or i u want to visit the eastren region it's a good place to visit u can visit Tarout Island there with a Tarout castle it was built before more than 5000 years.Qateef is butiful too.andALJOBAIL is.

First off, a non-Muslim is not under any circumstances permitted to visit the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina. So count that out. If you ARE a Muslim, you will have to get a Hajj (pilgrimage) visa. Even then, you will be /required/ to travel with a Mahram (a male relative / guardian).

Further, KSA does not issue /any/ tourist visas. They issue transit visas /occasionally/, but only if you can prove that traveling through the Kingdom is your ONLY possible option (not likely). They also issue family visit and business visas. Both require a sponsor from within the Kingdom.

There are a /few/ very expensive guided tours that you can purchase via a few officially sanctioned organizations. These are very pricey and do not allow any freedom of movement off the tour, but they will take care of your visa.

HOWEVER... the final fact is, two single women traveling without male relatives can NOT visit the Kingdom at all. You MUST have a male relative (husband, brother, father, etc). Even the tour groups and Hajj organizers will refuse you.

If you DO take a male relative with you on one of the tours, be aware that you will not be allowed to drive, must be accompanied at all times, and must conform to the clothing restrictions... otherwise you'll be subject to the harassment and possible arrest by the Mutaween (the religious police).

I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is under the current Saudi regime. It's a shame, because there is some really fascinating history in the Kingdom... Nabatean ruins, the remnants of the Arab Revolt assisted by T.E. Lawrence, etc... Sigh. Maybe they'll loosen up the restrictions someday.

You can go on a desert safari. It's actually one of the safest countries in the world. I suggest dressing conservatively and keeping to yourself.

i am a teenager living in dhahran, saudi arabia, and if you are muslim, and you want to see mecca, then i say, go for it! but go with a lot of people. i don't think it would be as much fun, and it's much safer. if you want to come to see the sights, then don't come, because there aren't any. there's absolutley no reason to come and visit, other then to see mecca. other then that, nothing, absolutley nothing. you could go sand sledding, but that's all.