Time Zone |
Asia/Riyadh |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+3 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Asia/Muscat |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+4 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Al-Aflaj is a city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, about 300 kilometers southeast of the capital, Riyadh, in the interior of the Arabian Peninsula. The city is known as the "Garden of the Desert" due to its vast oases and well-developed agricultural irrigation system. Thanks to abundant groundwater resources and traditional Falaj (underground waterway) irrigation techniques, the area around Afif is one of the most important agricultural regions in Saudi Arabia, producing dates, wheat and vegetables. The local climate is hot and dry, with summer temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, but the presence of oases provides the city with a pleasant ecological environment. Epitomizing traditional Saudi culture, Afif retains a rustic appearance and its inhabitants are known for their Bedouin traditions and hospitality, making it an ideal destination to experience rural life in the Saudi interior.
Sur is a historic city in the Eastern Province of Oman, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, about 150 kilometers from the capital city of Muscat, and is known for its traditional shipbuilding industry and natural beauty. Once an important trading hub in the Arabian Gulf, the ancient city still retains the ruins of a 16th-century Portuguese castle and an old dockyard, and its inhabitants still practice the art of building dhows (dhows) by hand, a craft that has been inscribed on UNESCO's list of non-heritage sites. Sur is surrounded by Cape Halani, a famous turtle sanctuary that attracts many visitors each year to see the green turtles laying their eggs. The city's blend of tradition and modernity, with ancient mosques in narrow alleyways juxtaposed with modern tourist facilities, makes it an excellent place to experience the maritime culture and history of eastern Oman.