Fly from Nice to Riyadh

Saudi Arabia has made no secret of the fact that it wants to become one of the world's top tourist destinations for good. The idea may come as a surprise to many. And yet, the country led by the Al Saud dynasty has all it needs to achieve its ambitions. This Middle Eastern giant has a unique identity, forged by thousands of years of history. An ancient civilisation, Islamic holy places and Bedouin traditions make it a land of culture. But these are not its only attractions. Its giant souks and malls, its futuristic buildings and its taste for the latest in technology also give your stay an avant-garde flavour. Finally, while cultivating its roots and looking to the future, Saudi Arabia also has something that is eternal: nature. From the Red Sea to deserts, from canyons to oases, beauties abound and are increasingly preserved here.

• View Riyadh from the top of the city's two most famous towers: Faysaliah , the first skyscraper to be built in Saudi Arabia, and Mamlaka (also known as Kingdom Centre), which has a panoramic walkway (the Sky Bridge) that soars to a height of almost 300 metres.
• - Visit the Taiba souk in search of jewellery, rugs and other items crafted by artisans from the Arabian Peninsula. A wander best enjoyed in the cooler air at day’s end.
  - Shop till you drop in one of the city's many malls. A great place to go: The Riyadh Park Mall. With its exceptional architecture, hundreds of international shops, numerous restaurants and a huge arcade, it's well worth a visit (and a long one, at that!).
  - Cross the threshold of the monumental palm-wood gate of the Masmak Palace, a 150-year-old fortress whose capture by the Al Saud family cemented the unification of the Saudi kingdom.
  - Stroll through the corridors of Murabba Palace, the beautifully restored former royal residence. Just nearby, be sure to visit the National Museum for a trip back in time, from prehistoric times to the time of Lawrence of Arabia, and a nice introduction to Bedouin culture.
  - Discover Diriyah, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, located about 20 minutes drive from the current capital, and its exceptional Unesco World Heritage Site: Al-Turaif, a superbly restored ghost town.
  - Explore Nofa Nature Park, a very scenic kingdom on the outskirts of Riyadh. Encounter desert giraffes, Grevy's zebras, Arabian Oryx, ostriches and pygmy hippos on a safari.
  - Head east to Jeddah (it's quicker and more convenient to fly), on the shores of the Red Sea and the most colourful city in the country. The agenda includes scuba diving, fascinating souks, a floating mosque and the world's highest fountain, with a jet shooting up over 300 metres.
  - Fly to Al-'Ula (1.5 hours flight) and spend a few days in the region exploring one of the world's most beautiful settings. An arid desert, huge rocks sculpted by time, the monumental tombs of the Hegra necropolis dug into the rock thousands of years ago: an extraordinary place, well off the beaten track.
  - Set down in Yanbu on the Red Sea and enjoy the turquoise waters before heading to Medina, one of Islam's holy cities. Unlike Mecca, it welcomes non-Muslims (under certain conditions).