/* eslint-disable */
// Auto-generated destination data — alula
window.ALULA_DATA = {
  "chrome": {
    "hero": {
      "kicker": "HowTo:Travel · Middle East · Saudi Arabia",
      "h1Lines": [
        "AlUla is not what you think",
        "it thinks differently about time",
        "and stone remembers"
      ],
      "issueLabel": "Issue Nº 47 · Saudi Arabia guide · Updated April 2026",
      "lede": "AlUla, a canyon town in northwest Saudi Arabia, has spent millennia as a crossroads — Nabataean, Ottoman, forgotten, then suddenly restored. Hegra's tombs cut from living rock, the Old Town's mud-brick medina, and Maraya's desert theatre reframe what heritage means. This is not Riyadh. This is deeper.",
      "stats": "1 UNESCO site · 2,000-year-old tombs · 1 rock canyon · 15 ancient trade routes",
      "metaRows": [
        {
          "k": "Currency",
          "v": "Saudi Riyal (SAR); 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SR"
        },
        {
          "k": "Plug type",
          "v": "Type A, B (US standard)"
        },
        {
          "k": "Visa for US/UK",
          "v": "e-visa required; 30 days, ~$80 USD. Processing instant."
        },
        {
          "k": "Best for first-timers",
          "v": "October–April. AlUla town as base; day trips to Hegra and canyon."
        },
        {
          "k": "Language",
          "v": "Arabic (Modern Standard & Gulf dialect). English in hotels, restaurants."
        }
      ],
      "frames": [
        {
          "img": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?w=600&auto=format",
          "cap": "Hegra tombs at dusk · 26.08°N, 37.95°E"
        },
        {
          "img": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568602471122-7832951cc4c5?w=600&auto=format",
          "cap": "Old Town courtyard, AlUla · Mud brick and time"
        },
        {
          "img": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?w=600&auto=format",
          "cap": "Maraya reflecting desert light · Modern mirage"
        }
      ]
    },
    "anchor": {
      "label": "In this guide",
      "items": [
        {
          "id": "intro",
          "label": "Letter"
        },
        {
          "id": "drives",
          "label": "Drives"
        },
        {
          "id": "when",
          "label": "When to go"
        },
        {
          "id": "food",
          "label": "Food"
        },
        {
          "id": "language",
          "label": "Phrases"
        },
        {
          "id": "faq",
          "label": "Questions"
        }
      ]
    },
    "intro": {
      "lead": "AlUla whispers instead of shouts. For two millennia it was the fifth city of the Nabataean kingdom, a rest stop for incense traders moving north toward the Mediterranean. Then it slept for centuries under Ottoman rule and colonial indifference. In 2017, the Saudi government began restoring it — not as a theme park, but as a living argument about how old places can be inhabited without being flattened by tourism. Hegra's tombs are in the canyon walls. The Old Town still has families. Maraya is a mirror.",
      "side": "AlUla sits 1,000 metres above sea level in the Hejaz region, 250 kilometres northwest of Medina. The nearest international airport is King Abdulaziz in Jeddah (four hours south). Most visitors rent a car or book a guide in town. The tourism infrastructure is new and still settling — hotels are efficient rather than charming. Plan for three days minimum; five is better.",
      "credit": "— The editors · AlUla · November 2025"
    },
    "signoff": {
      "h2": "Stone speaks slowly",
      "body": "AlUla rewards patience. Spend your first morning simply walking the Old Town — no agenda, no guide. Eat lunch where you see locals eating. Return to Hegra at sunset. Spend your last afternoon in the canyon with nothing but water and a camera. This place has waited two thousand years. It can wait for you to understand it.",
      "credit": "— The editors"
    }
  },
  "drives": [
    {
      "id": "hegra-canyon",
      "num": "01",
      "name": "Hegra to the Canyon",
      "nameEm": "Madain Salih loop",
      "region": "AlUla",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "from": "AlUla town",
      "to": "AlUla canyon rim",
      "km": 48,
      "hours": 3,
      "elevMax": 1150,
      "elevMin": 850,
      "season": "Oct–Apr (avoid May–Sep)",
      "surface": "Well-maintained paved road with two gravel sections",
      "car": "Any sedan. High-clearance SUV recommended for side tracks.",
      "blurb": "Morning drive north to Hegra's UNESCO tombs — 52 Nabataean facades carved into rust-red stone. Spend three hours inside the site. Return via the canyon road, stopping at viewpoints overlooking AlUla's 300-metre cliffs. Stop in Dadan (the earlier Nabataean settlement) if energy allows. Sunset from the north rim is non-negotiable.",
      "stops": [
        "AlUla town",
        "Hegra (Madain Salih)",
        "Dadan ancient city",
        "AlUla canyon north rim",
        "Old Town medina"
      ],
      "tip": "Book Hegra entry online (250 SR, ~$65). Guides are mandatory (300 SR); hire one who speaks English and knows the tombs' histories, not just names.",
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    {
      "id": "jebel-alula",
      "num": "02",
      "name": "Jebel AlUla traverse",
      "nameEm": "Mountain road",
      "region": "AlUla",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "from": "Old Town",
      "to": "Jebel Ikmah",
      "km": 35,
      "hours": 2.5,
      "elevMax": 1280,
      "elevMin": 750,
      "season": "Oct–May",
      "surface": "Paved main road; gravel tracks to rock-art sites",
      "car": "SUV preferred. High clearance needed for final site approach.",
      "blurb": "Climb into the Hejaz plateau via switchback road. Stop at Jebel Ikmah, where pre-Islamic Arabic inscriptions cover canyon walls — thousands of carved names and verses spanning eight centuries. Walk the slot canyon at the base. Return via a different pass, dropping back to town at dusk. The light here is golden-red for the last hour of day.",
      "stops": [
        "Old Town starting point",
        "Jebel Ikmah rock-art site",
        "Plateau overlook",
        "Return via west pass"
      ],
      "tip": "Bring water (two litres minimum). There is no shade at Jebel Ikmah. The inscriptions are best photographed in morning light, not afternoon.",
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    },
    {
      "id": "maraya-sunset",
      "num": "03",
      "name": "Maraya sunset run",
      "nameEm": "Theatre drive",
      "region": "AlUla",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "from": "AlUla town",
      "to": "Maraya theatre",
      "km": 38,
      "hours": 1.5,
      "elevMax": 950,
      "elevMin": 800,
      "season": "Oct–Mar (check event schedule)",
      "surface": "Paved road; final approach is gravel",
      "car": "Any sedan. Park is well-maintained.",
      "blurb": "Quick afternoon drive south to Maraya, a 500-seat mirrored theatre embedded in the desert floor. Its glass facade reflects the canyon and sky — a dialogue between human engineering and landscape. Go for an evening performance if scheduled (ballet, oud music, theatre). If not, simply sit inside for sunset. The light turns the walls liquid. Dinner afterwards in town.",
      "stops": [
        "AlUla town",
        "Maraya theatre complex",
        "Desert viewpoint before return"
      ],
      "tip": "Check the Maraya events calendar before planning. Performances run sporadically. Even without an event, the theatre interior is open for viewing. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset.",
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    },
    {
      "id": "old-town-dadan",
      "num": "04",
      "name": "Old Town & Dadan loop",
      "nameEm": "Historical towns",
      "region": "AlUla",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "from": "Saada Palace museum",
      "to": "Dadan ancient city",
      "km": 22,
      "hours": 3,
      "elevMax": 1050,
      "elevMin": 800,
      "season": "Oct–Apr",
      "surface": "Old Town is pedestrian; approach roads paved",
      "car": "Park at the main entrance lot and walk.",
      "blurb": "Spend the morning in AlUla's Old Town — 350-year-old mud-brick houses, some now galleries and tea houses, most still residential. Walk without direction; knock on doors if invited. Mid-morning, drive to Dadan (eight kilometres north), the site of a 1st-century Lihyanite settlement. Tombs and caravan routes are etched into the stone. Return for lunch and the call to prayer echoing off red walls.",
      "stops": [
        "Saada Palace (museum entrance)",
        "AlUla Old Town medina",
        "Sheikh Saleh heritage house",
        "Dadan archaeological site",
        "Restaurants on return"
      ],
      "tip": "The best Old Town moment is 11am–1pm, when the light is overhead and families emerge for mid-morning coffee. Dadan is less visited — the silence there is genuine.",
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    },
    {
      "id": "wadi-desert",
      "num": "05",
      "name": "Wadi AlUla to Khaybar",
      "nameEm": "Desert edge",
      "region": "AlUla",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "from": "AlUla canyon floor",
      "to": "Khaybar oasis edge",
      "km": 65,
      "hours": 4,
      "elevMax": 1050,
      "elevMin": 650,
      "season": "Nov–Mar",
      "surface": "Paved main road; final 15 km is gravel",
      "car": "SUV strongly recommended. 4WD for the gravel section.",
      "blurb": "A longer expedition southeast into the Hejaz plateau's edge, following the wadi system that feeds AlUla's ancient agriculture. Stop at smaller rock-art sites en route (Jabal Musa, Jabal Al-Amud). End at Khaybar oasis, a date-palm settlement that fed the caravan trade for millennia. Return by dusk. Bring a guide; the landscape shifts quickly and signage is sparse.",
      "stops": [
        "AlUla canyon",
        "Jabal Musa rock art",
        "Jabal Al-Amud viewpoint",
        "Khaybar oasis village",
        "Return via main road"
      ],
      "tip": "This drive is best with a hired guide (hotel can arrange). Take it as a full day — 6am start, 6pm return. Water, snacks, and a full petrol tank are essential.",
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  ],
  "when": [
    {
      "m": "Jan",
      "note": "Cool, clear skies. 15–22°C. Best for canyon hikes and long drives. Hegra visits are comfortable. Book accommodation now."
    },
    {
      "m": "Feb",
      "note": "Still ideal. Occasional rain in the Hejaz. Wildflower blooms in wadi floors begin. Same temperatures as January."
    },
    {
      "m": "Mar",
      "note": "Warm afternoons (20–28°C), cool mornings. Spring colours peak. Hotels fill mid-March through April — book early."
    },
    {
      "m": "Apr",
      "note": "Dust storms possible. Heat climbs to 30°C+. Late April becomes uncomfortable for outdoor time. Consider leaving by 15 April."
    },
    {
      "m": "May",
      "note": "Heat arrives; 35–40°C by month's end. Not recommended. Town empties; restaurants reduce hours. Skip it."
    },
    {
      "m": "Jun",
      "note": "40–45°C. Only internal tourism (museums, Maraya theatre). Ramadan may fall here — different rhythms, some restaurants closed daytime."
    },
    {
      "m": "Jul",
      "note": "Peak heat. 45°C+. Avoid outdoor activities entirely. Hotels and restaurants stay open but feel skeletal. Locals don't leave home."
    },
    {
      "m": "Aug",
      "note": "Still extreme; slight cooling by late month. Eid holidays may fall here — busy accommodation period despite heat. Plan indoor-only visits."
    },
    {
      "m": "Sep",
      "note": "Heat begins to break; 35–40°C. Tourism starts returning. Restaurants reopen full hours. Still not ideal for day drives."
    },
    {
      "m": "Oct",
      "note": "Perfect. 25–32°C. Golden light. Season officially opens. Book everything now. Hotels, guides, car rentals fill quickly."
    },
    {
      "m": "Nov",
      "note": "Ideal conditions persist. 18–28°C. Light remains perfect for photography. Slightly less crowded than October. No disadvantage."
    },
    {
      "m": "Dec",
      "note": "Cool mornings (12–15°C), warm afternoons (22–28°C). Clear skies. Holiday season brings families. Good for hiking and long drives."
    }
  ],
  "food": [
    {
      "dish": "Kabsa",
      "where": "AlUla Old Town restaurants",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "note": "Fragrant rice with meat (lamb or chicken), broth-soaked, finished with toasted almonds and raisins. The grain is stained with saffron and turmeric.",
      "emoji": "🍚",
      "span": 1
    },
    {
      "dish": "Jareesh",
      "where": "Family-run cafes, Al-Baha region",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "note": "Crushed wheat cooked down into a creamy porridge with meat and ghee. Heavy, warming, traditionally eaten after dawn during Ramadan.",
      "emoji": "🥣",
      "span": 1
    },
    {
      "dish": "Mutabbaq",
      "where": "Street vendors, Old Town souq",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "note": "Thin pastry folded around spiced lamb and cheese, fried until golden and crisp. Eaten with hands, sauce pools underneath.",
      "emoji": "🥐",
      "span": 1
    },
    {
      "dish": "Dates stuffed with almond paste",
      "where": "Khaybar oasis, local markets",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "note": "Medjool dates split, pitted, filled with crushed almonds and sometimes rose water. A confection eaten with Arabic coffee at afternoon.",
      "emoji": "🫶",
      "span": 1
    },
    {
      "dish": "Tharid",
      "where": "Heritage restaurants, Saada Palace cafe",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "note": "Broken flatbread layered with meat broth and vegetables, seasoned with cumin and coriander. Comfort food, eaten communally from one dish.",
      "emoji": "🍲",
      "span": 2
    },
    {
      "dish": "Kahwa Arabieh",
      "where": "Everywhere — hotels, cafes, homes",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "note": "Cardamom-spiced coffee served in small cups, no sugar. Bitter, aromatic, essential. Refuse a third cup when you've had enough (two is polite).",
      "emoji": "☕",
      "span": 1
    },
    {
      "dish": "Mandi",
      "where": "Restaurants in town center",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "note": "Slow-roasted meat and rice cooked together in a sealed underground oven, then finished over flames. Smoky, tender, served with yogurt sauce.",
      "emoji": "🍖",
      "span": 2
    },
    {
      "dish": "Luqaimat",
      "where": "Sweet shops, evening souq",
      "regionId": "alula",
      "note": "Fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Crisp outside, hollow inside, eaten warm with coffee.",
      "emoji": "🍩",
      "span": 1
    }
  ],
  "language": [
    {
      "lc": "السلام عليكم",
      "tr": "Peace be upon you",
      "note": "Standard Arabic greeting. Response: 'wa alaikum assalaam.' Used in formal settings, shops, meetings. Essential to learn."
    },
    {
      "lc": "شكراً جزيلاً",
      "tr": "Thank you very much",
      "note": "Formal thanks. Use in restaurants, with guides, when someone helps. More respectful than simple 'shukran.'"
    },
    {
      "lc": "كم السعر؟",
      "tr": "How much is it?",
      "note": "Essential for markets and haggling. Expect negotiation in souqs. Smile while asking — it softens the transaction."
    },
    {
      "lc": "لا، شكراً",
      "tr": "No, thank you",
      "note": "Used firmly but politely to refuse offers, extra food, guides. Repetition may be needed; politeness is often read as encouragement."
    },
    {
      "lc": "أين الحمّام؟",
      "tr": "Where is the bathroom?",
      "note": "Direct, practical. Use in restaurants or hotels. Hammam also means a bathhouse — context clarifies which you mean."
    },
    {
      "lc": "ما اسمك؟",
      "tr": "What is your name?",
      "note": "Polite opening with locals, guides, shopkeepers. Following up with conversation builds rapport — Saudis enjoy friendly exchange."
    },
    {
      "lc": "بكم القهوة؟",
      "tr": "How much for coffee?",
      "note": "Often coffee is free at shops or hotels — asking anyway shows respect for the gesture. If told 'ala hasbak' (on me), accept gracefully."
    },
    {
      "lc": "الحمد لله على كل حال",
      "tr": "Praise be to God in all circumstances",
      "note": "A response to 'how are you' — shows cultural awareness. Use when asked 'kayf halak?' (how are you?). Signals respect for local customs."
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Do I need a guide?",
      "a": "In AlUla town and Old Town, no. For Hegra, guides are mandatory (included in entry fee). For canyon drives and Jebel Ikmah, guides are strongly recommended — the landscape is unmarked and disorienting at speed. Hotel concierges arrange guides efficiently; budget 300–400 SR ($80–$110) per day including transport."
    },
    {
      "q": "What's the visa situation?",
      "a": "US and UK citizens can apply for a 30-day tourist e-visa online (visitsaudi.com) for approximately $80 USD. Processing is instant. Passport validity of six months is required. Visas are issued on arrival as well, but e-visa is faster and can be done before departure."
    },
    {
      "q": "Can I drink alcohol?",
      "a": "No. Saudi Arabia is dry — alcohol is prohibited everywhere, including in private spaces for foreigners. This is non-negotiable and carries legal consequences. Plan your social life around coffee, tea, fresh juices, and soft drinks."
    },
    {
      "q": "What's the dress code?",
      "a": "Men: long trousers and long sleeves in town. Casual but covered. Women: long-sleeved shirts and long skirts or trousers. Modest swimwear at hotel pools. Abayas (long cloaks) are not required for foreigners but headscarf is respectful in mosques and religious sites. Practically: comfort matters more than formality here."
    },
    {
      "q": "How do I get around?",
      "a": "Rent a car. Public transport doesn't exist in AlUla. Taxis are available from hotels but expensive for day trips ($50–80 per drive). International license accepted; drive rules are loose but roads are empty. Fuel is cheap (~0.40 SR per litre, ~$0.10 USD). Download offline maps; cell service can be patchy in the canyon."
    },
    {
      "q": "Where should I stay?",
      "a": "Maraya Resort (luxury, modern) or Habitas AlUla (eco-lodge style, community feel) are the main options. Heritage hotels in the Old Town are being developed. All hotels have restaurants; town restaurants are few but good. Book three months ahead for October–March; availability is tight."
    },
    {
      "q": "How many days do I need?",
      "a": "Three days minimum: one for Old Town and Dadan, one for Hegra, one for canyon drives or Maraya. Five days is ideal, allowing morning hikes, afternoon exploration, and an evening at the theatre. Seven days lets you rest, repeat favourite sites, and take the Khaybar drive without rushing."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is it safe?",
      "a": "Yes. AlUla is heavily developed for tourism and heavily policed. Petty theft is non-existent. Political sensitivities exist — avoid discussing religion, the royal family, or regional politics. Ask before photographing people. Otherwise, this is one of the safest places in the Middle East for independent travel."
    }
  ]
};