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“One touch of nature makes the whole word kin.”
— Troilus and Cressida, Act III,iii

Soliloquy & Swag in the Sands: My AlUla + Red Sea Travel Diary

July 22, 2025 by DeAnne in Travel and Style, Stylish Getaways

Standing in front of glass Maraya building in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Let me take you on a journey—desert edition.




My latest adventure started on the Red Sea coast and ended deep in the heart of AlUla. Along the way? Sandstone silence, spa moments that healed my soul, and enough rock formations to spark an unexpected crush on geology. Here’s everything.

First Stop: Six Senses Southern Dunes, Red Sea


I kicked things off with a touch of luxury, because if you’re going to the desert, you might as well do it in style. This resort is fabulous. It´s a 10/10 highly recommend.





Six Senses is pure serenity wrapped in sandstone. The resort is so beautifully blended into the dunes that it feels like nature said, “Okay, now make it fashion


Everything here whispers calm: minimalist design, cinematic views.




My Vegan Dinner at Six Senses.











Road to AlUla: Cue the Transformation Energy


Leaving Six Senses, I hit the road toward AlUla, not knowing I was about to walk straight into a desert daydream.

The Geology Glow-Up: AlUla’s Ancient Beauty







Now, I didn’t expect to fall in love with rocks—but here we are.

AlUla is a living, breathing Earth storybook. You’re surrounded by ancient metamorphic rock formations—stones that started off as one thing (like limestone or shale) and transformed under intense heat and pressure into something entirely new.



Schist. Gneiss. Quartzite. I had know idea what these words meant before this trip, but I mean, if that’s not the ultimate metaphor for personal growth, I don’t know what is. I may change careers and become a geologist.

These layered beauties have ripples, folds, and streaks that quite literally tell time. Some existed before dinosaurs even showed up. Let that sink in.


Caravan Habitas: My Nomad Chic Era

Next base camp? Caravan by Habitas. Picture glam Airstreams tucked into the desert, eco-luxe design, and total peace.




The caravans were a home away from home. They have everything you need….and more.




Naturally, I gave you guys a full YouTube tour on Soliloquy and Swag—because beautiful design should be celebrated, and also because I was clearly thriving. (Simply click the link.)

Poolside at Habitas

One afternoon I swung by the main Habitas resort just to lounge poolside. Because sometimes you want the full I-am-that-girl experience.


Desert cliffs in the distance, date smoothies in hand, good music floating in the background. If you are staying in the caravans, you are free to use all of their facilities. This pool was relaxing, the views were other worldly, and the restaurant had vegan options which was a major plus!




Elephant Rock: She’s an Icon


You can’t visit AlUla without paying respects to Elephant Rock—a natural sandstone formation shaped like, well, an elephant.




Curvy, towering, and unapologetically majestic, she’s been working this look for millions of years. No filters needed. I posed. I paid tribute. I moved on transformed.


Old Town AlUla: Time Travel, But Cute



Wandering through Old Town AlUla felt like stepping into a dusty postcard—narrow alleyways, beautifully restored mudbrick buildings, and artisan stalls offering everything from handwoven bags to rose coffee.

Old town AlUla, Saudi Arabia



I was this close to buying every lantern I saw. Well, not really. But I´m sure someone was.

Casual pic in front of Starbucks.



Maraya Concert Hall: A Mirror in the Middle of Nowhere



This one’s wild: Maraya is the world’s largest mirrored building, sitting smack in the middle of the desert. It reflects the mountains, sky, and whatever fabulous outfit you happen to be wearing that day.


It’s surreal, a little trippy, and totally unforgettable. Pro tip: Make sure you get the right angle for the photo. I had to check Instagram because my first 1000 photos were crappy.



The Missed Icon: Hegra

Okay. Confession time.

I didn’t make it to Hegra, Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Why? Because I forgot to book ahead. I saw that someone on Youtube mentioned it was a must, but I guess I got too carried away and forgot. :-(

It still hurts. Let this be your official PSA: Reserve in advance. Learn from me. Be better. Do better. LBVS.

What’s Next in AlUla?

My to-do list for round two:

• Finally see Hegra (obviously).

• Sip something magical at Shallal Café.

• Hike up to Harrat Viewpoint and feel gloriously small in the best way


Final Thoughts

From spa rituals in the dunes to glam trailer life, ancient rocks to mirrored architecture—this trip gave me everything I didn’t know I neede

It reminded me how nature reinvents itself over and over—and how we can, too.

It taught me to slow down, stretch into silence, and say yes to unexpected detours (except the one where I skipped Hegra… still not over it.


Whether you’re craving luxury, history, or a little soul-searching in the sand—AlUla delivers.



Now go check out the Caravan Habitas Youtube vlog on Soliloquy and Swag, and pack that camera. These views took millions of years to make. You might as well show up ready. You won´t regret it.

Thank you for stopping by! I really appreciate it.

XOXOXO



















July 22, 2025 /DeAnne
Alula, Saudi Arabia travel, Red Sea Saudi Arabia, Desert Luxury, Middle East Travel, Road Trip Saudi Arabia, Travel in style, Hidden Gems, Desert Diaries
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