- Lionel Messi joined by his family on his second thrilling adventure in Riyadh, Saudi, experiencing the best of all worlds – rich cultural heritage as well as contemporary lifestyle & entertainment.
- The family visited the 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah, indulged in a fine dining experience at Al Bujairi Terrace, overlooking the beautifully lit At-Turaif district, and visited VIA Riyadh, the Saudi capital’s new luxury destination.
- Hafawa, the warm Saudi welcome that the country is known for, makes it a perfect family-friendly destination.
- It is easier than ever before to enjoy Messi’s family-friendly experience through Saudi’s extensive and easy to navigate tourist visa program and the recently launched free stopover visa.
- From the excitement of Riyadh to the coral reefs of the Red Sea and the mountains of Asir, Saudi offers something for everyone to enjoy, all-year round.
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Antonella Roccuzzo in Diriyah wearing a traditional Saudi hama |
Football icon and Saudi Tourism Ambassador Lionel Messi has returned to Saudi for a second time, this time with his family, to experience the country’s unique blend of old and new, cultural, and cosmopolitan. Messi’s visit to Saudi was packed with exciting activities, with something for everyone in the family.
Saudi is the authentic home of Arabia, and a highlight of
the trip was the Messi family’s guided tour of Diriyah, the 300-year-old
historical heart of the country, one of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and
the birthplace of the First Saudi State. At-Turaif, a historic city on the
outskirts of Riyadh, is one of the most historically significant and
architecturally impressive mudbrick settlements in the world dating back to the
15th century.
Messi and his family immersed themselves in the history of
this unique destination, taking in the Arabian Horse Museum after interacting
with some magnificent purebred Arabian horses. Messi was also enchanted by his
encounter with a white falcon that rested on his arm. Falcons are a
much-coveted bird of prey and hunting with them has been an integral part of
Bedouin history, for thousands of years.
During the visit, Messi’s wife, Antonella Roccuzzo wore a
traditional Saudi hama – a decorative headpiece historically worn by Saudi
women from the Kingdom’s Najdi region. The family enjoyed the opportunity to
explore the history of Saudi and learn about the rich culture of Saudi and were
charmed by the authenticity and architecture of At-Turaif and the beauty of the
Arabian horses.
Before the visit to Diriyah, the Messi family had also
enjoyed an authentic Saudi farm experience away from the buzz of the city. The
family witnessed a palm weaving demonstration against the backdrop of majestic
palm trees – a symbol of prosperity in Saudi. The Kingdom’s palm trees produce
over 1.5 million tonnes of dates annually – which are a central part of Saudi
cuisine.
One of the highlights of their first day was feeding the
indigenous Arabian gazelles that were close to extinction but are now part of
an ambitious rewilding and preservation program that has seen the population
grow exponentially. Earlier this year 650 Arabian Gazelles and 550 Sand
Gazelles were released into the 12,400 square kilometers of the AlUla reserve
also famous for reintroducing the Arabian Leopard into the wild.
On the second day of the trip, Messi and family experienced
the modern metropolis that Riyadh has become, where ambitious plans aim to make
the city one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic by 2030. Riyadh is widely
considered one of tourism’s last frontiers and is mesmerizingly unexpected with
its bright city lights, music festivals, and range of cuisine from street food
to Michelin-starred restaurants.
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Leo Messi and family interacting with magnificent purebred Arabian horses in Saudi |
The jam-packed itinerary gave Messi and his family quality time together to take in the sights and sounds of VIA Riyadh and Boulevard Riyadh City, experiencing two of the city’s ultra-modern entertainment and retail districts. VIA Riyadh is set to become one of the world’s premier luxury destinations, featuring upscale fashion brands, celebrated international and homegrown restaurants, and seven private, themed cinemas.
The bright lights of Boulevard Riyadh City have also made
their mark as one of the most popular visitor family experiences during Riyadh
Season, the city’s vibrant outdoor destination that welcomed more than 15
million visitors this year.
Whilst Saudi is known for its awe-inspiring desert, the Rub’
Al Khali (Empty Quarter), the Kingdom has a diverse landscape that can be
enjoyed year-round, from the UNESCO-listed oasis of Al-Ahsa, to the pristine coral
reefs of Saudi’s 1,700km long great Red Sea coast, which can be enjoyed by
divers and cruise liners, and where the first of 16 luxury hotels will be
opening later this year, as well as NEOM’s Sindalah island. Saudi also offers
the cool, green highlands of Asir where the locals holiday in the summer.
The warm Saudi welcome, known as Hafawa, makes it a perfect
destination for families. Riyadh, home to around 8 million people, is also one
of the Top 50 Safest Cities in the World according to the Economist
Intelligence Unit, making it an ideal destination for families to explore and
enjoy.
Visiting Saudi is now easier than ever before with more
flights available from more countries across the world. eVisa applications
through the easy-to-use online portal are available for international visitors
from 49 eligible countries.
Saudi also announced the launch of a new stopover visa
earlier this year. Free of charge and available to passengers traveling with
SAUDIA and FlyNas, the visa is open to an even greater number of countries than
the historic tourist eVisa and allows visitors to stay in the country for up to
96 hours.