Travel is on a temporary halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with social distancing measures still encouraged. Although nothing can compare to the multisensorial experience that comes with physically visiting a destination, virtual tours have been filling this gap during quite fittingly. Among these new initiatives is a digital tour of Saudi Arabia’s AlUla, which is one not to be missed.

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AlUla is a 250,000-year-old heritage site, an open-air museum that’s located in the North West of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also houses the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, Hegra, and is set to reopen in October 2020.

The Royal Comission for AlUla (RCU) has created a series of 360-degree-videos that will allow users to experience the ancient sights of Dadan, Jabal Al Banat, Old Town and others. This means that you now have the opportunity to journey through preserved tombs, sandstone outcrops, historic dwellings and monuments without stepping out from your home.

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In a statement, the RCU said that the videos are a combination of actual footage and animated illustrations of the site, depicting what life of the ancient Nabataeans might have looked like. The team behind the videos worked closely with archaeologists, inscription experts and museum staff, conducting excavations of the sites to  bring them into the virtual sphere.

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Visitors can enjoy the tours through YouTube videos that have detailed explanations, while also educating themselves on the country’s most important archaeological and cultural destinations. To access the virtual tours, visit this link.

Cover image credits: @Natgeotravel