Husband was summoned to Jeddah last-minute for work last week, and we had the opportunity to accompany him so I packed up the kids and off we went. We've heard so many great things about this city, so we were really excited to finally experience it firsthand. Although it was a very short trip, it turned out amazing, mainly thanks to the friendliness and hospitality of the people we met. Here's a recap of our experiences over our 48 hours in Jeddah.

The Vibe

Because it's located right by Red Sea, not only the climate, but its whole vibe is naturally very different from Riyadh. While the capital is an administrative centre in the heart of the desert, Jeddah is a vibrant commercial city with soaring temperatures even during the winter. Our first impression was that people seem more laid back, very welcoming and relaxed towards visitors compared to Riyadh. Due to its geographical location and proximity to Mecca, many pilgrims have visited or settled here, which also imprinted on its culture and the local cuisine, and it really feels like a multicultural, dynamic hub. There are public art displays everywhere you go, lots of lush green parks and of course a lovely salty breeze down by the water.

The Food

I have to admit, we have not had the chance to taste many authentic regional dishes, but we

ate really well in Jeddah! Thanks to its position on the Red Sea, fresh seafood is readily available, and many dishes use local fish as the main ingredient. We had the privilege of being invited to a family lunch by our dear new friends where we tried a range of authentic Syrian and regional dishes. The highlights were a really impressive looking upside-down eggplant and rice dish called maqlubah and a warm, spicy slow cooked lamb. We finished the feast with slices of warm cheese dessert called knafeh na'ameh, and of course the famous fragrant Saudi coffee. The children also enjoyed trying all the tasty dishes, which, as any parent to small kids would tell you is no small feat!

The Must See

We had a really friendly local driver at our disposal during our stay, so while Husband attended meetings, me and the children had the time to drive around Jeddah and see a more of the city. Similarly to Riyadh, it's impossible to get around without a car.

The Old Jeddah neighbourhood called Al Balad should definitely be on the top of everyone's list! It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasting centuries year old buildings and unique architecture. Given the chance I'd have loved to spend a full day wandering around, visiting the museums and find small local food and coffee stops but sadly we were very strained for time.

Compared to Riyadh, it's much easier to find areas to walk around in Jeddah. We spent our first morning leisurely strolling along the Corniche near our hotel. It's a long stretch of waterfront adorned with parks and playgrounds and picture perfect picnic spots. Above all else, the children enjoyed Fakieh Aquarium. It's relatively small, but boasts a variety of animals.

We concluded our visit with a quick lunch at the adjacent restaurant, taking in the beautiful Sea view before heading to the airport to catch our flight. Needless to say, both kids slept all the way home.