65 TRAVEL goed voor het land, de bevolking en de economie. Het brengt de Saoediërs letterlijk in contact met andere culturen. Iets wat tot nu nauwelijks gebeurde. Het is een mooi voorbeeld van hoe toerisme mensen vrijer maakt. Deze bestemming is ideaal voor pioniers die op zoek zijn naar een pure en bijzondere ervaring, want hier ligt het kwarts nog op de grond en vind je de inscripties van de Ottomanen nog langs de wegen in de rotsen gebikt. Het land heeft geld, historie en een moderne ‘Amerikaanse’ manier van denken: een samenspel van elementen voor een unieke beleving.” Toch liever een andere bestemming? Bekijk dan de Bucketlist-reizen op www.experiencetravel. nl. Met ook voor 2022 – net als ieder jaar – met stip op nummer één: je eigen reis op maat. w w w . e x p e r i e n c e t r a v e l . n l and staying at a world-class hotel, resor t or lodge. Van Uden and his team always go the extra mile for clients. ‘We can arrange tickets to the Grand Prix or organise a private wine tasting at a vineyard that is closed to the public. Travellers can choose from more than 1,500 unique experiences thanks to our extensive network of par tners.’ E x p e r i e n c e C u l t u r e Lovers of ar t, culture, music, architecture, high fashion, archaeology, history and festivals will undoubtedly find their dream destination in the ExperienceCulture category. ‘These trips are often organised in groups of like-minded people who take the experience to the next level,’ explains Van Uden with enthusiasm. ‘The trips are headed by journalists, historians and other exper ts, which makes them culturally immersive. Set of f an adventurous journey through challenging mountain terrain to attend the unique Eagle Festival in the Mongolian Altai Mountains. Or discover the Louvre during a private af ter-hours tour. The possibilities are endless.’ N e w l u x u r y d e s t i n at i o n s While most places have been discovered and well-travelled by now, there is one country that has managed to keep tourists at bay. Until now. ‘We recently added a very special destination to our list: Saudi Arabia. The country is currently undergoing a major transformation with the goal of welcoming 25 million tourists by 2030. The King has determined that the country's culture may change, but not its religion. Not only does this mean tourists can now apply for a travel visa, it also means that prominent hotels like the Four Seasons Riyadh can open mixed gyms. The Arab Spring is still facing considerable opposition from the older generation, but some 70% of the population – including the crown prince – is younger than 30. Opening up to tourists is good for the country, the people and the economy. It will literally bring Saudis into contact with other cultures, something that was vir tually unthinkable until now. This is a beautiful example of how tourism can make people freer. This destination is per fect for pioneers in search of a unique and unforgettable experience. You will find quar tz on the ground and Ottoman inscriptions carved into the rocks on the roadside. This is a country with money, history and a modern mentality: a fascinating combination of elements for a truly unique experience.’ Prefer a dif ferent destination? Browse through the Bucket List Destinations on www.experiencetravel.nl. Like last year, bespoke luxury holidays will be the top travel trend for 2022. w w w . e x p e r i e n c e t r a v e l . n l
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