UNCOVER THE FAMILY SIDE OF SAUDI ARABIA

Lionel Messi, a global icon on the football pitch and the Saudi Tourism Ambassador, has returned to the nation with his family to witness its fascinating mix of ancient and modern, traditional and contemporary. Messi's trip to Saudi Arabia was jam-packed with fun events for the whole family.

The Messi family's visit to Diriyah, the 300-year-old historical heart of the kingdom and one of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the cradle of the First Saudi State, was a highlight of their time in Saudi Arabia, the true home of Arabia. At-Turaif, on the outskirts of Riyadh, is a mediaeval city that dates back to the 15th century and is one of the most historically significant and architecturally impressive mudbrick villages in the world.

After getting to know some stunning purebred Arabian horses, Messi and his family explored the Arabian Horse Museum and learned more about the region's rich history. The white bird that landed on Messi's arm was equally fascinating. Falcons are highly prized birds of prey, and for thousands of years, Bedouin hunters have relied on them.

Leo Messi with the white falcon in Diriyah

Antonella Roccuzzo, Messi's wife, wore a traditional Saudi hama, a decorative headgear, during the tour. The hama is typically worn by Saudi women from the Najdi region of the Kingdom. The family appreciated the chance to learn about Saudi's rich culture and history, and they were particularly taken with the genuineness and architecture of At-Turaif, as well as the stunning beauty of the Arabian horses.

The Messi family had already seen life on a real Saudi farm, distant from the hustle and bustle of the city, before their trip to Diriyah. The family saw a demonstration of palm weaving in front of a backdrop of towering palm trees, a symbol of wealth in Saudi Arabia. Dates, an integral ingredient of Saudi cuisine, are produced by palm trees in the Kingdom and amount to more than 1.5 million tonnes per year.

The indigenous Arabian gazelles, which were nearly extinct but are now part of a successful rewilding and preservation initiative, were one of the highlights of their first day. The AlUla reserve, notable for the successful reintroduction of the Arabian Leopard to the wild, welcomed 650 Arabian Gazelles and 550 Sand Gazelles earlier this year.

Messi and family interacting with magnificent purebred Arabian horses in Saudi

Messi and his family spent the second day of their trip exploring the contemporary metropolis that is Riyadh, where grand ambitions seek to make it one of the world's most vibrant and active by 2030. Riyadh, with its dazzling city lights, music festivals, and diverse cuisine ranging from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, is one of the last undiscovered tourist destinations in the world.

The tight schedule allowed Messi and his family to spend valuable time together while seeing two of the city's cutting-edge entertainment and shopping districts, VIA Riyadh and Boulevard Riyadh City. With high-end retail stores, acclaimed restaurants from around the world and the region, and seven private theatres with unique themes, VIA Riyadh is destined to become a top luxury destination.

The vibrant outdoor destination of Riyadh Season, which attracted over 15 million visitors this year, has made its mark as one of the most well-liked visitor family experiences thanks to its bright lights, Boulevard Riyadh City.

Leo Messi and wife Antonella and kids Mateo and Ciro pose at VIA Riyadh

Leo Messi and wife Antonella and kids Mateo and Ciro play arcade games at Boulevard Riyadh City

Despite the country's reputation for its breathtaking desert, the Rub' Al Khali (Empty Quarter), Saudi Arabia is home to a wide variety of landscapes that can be enjoyed at any time of year, from the UNESCO-listed oasis of Al-Ahsa to the pristine coral reefs of Saudi's 1,700-kilometre-long great Red Sea coast, where the first of 16 luxury hotels will open later this year. The cold, verdant highlands of Asir are another tourist destination in Saudi Arabia.

The famously friendly Saudi hospitality, or Hafawa, makes the country an excellent vacation spot for families. Riyadh is one of the Top 50 Safest Cities in the World and is home to 8 million people, making it a great place for families to travel and have fun. More flights from more places mean that travelling to Saudi Arabia is more convenient than ever before. In order to visit the United States, citizens of 49 different countries can apply for an eVisa through a user-friendly internet platform.

A new stopover visa was also introduced by Saudi Arabia earlier this year. The visa, which is offered at no cost to customers of SAUDIA and FlyNas, admits travellers from a wider range of countries than the standard tourist eVisa and extends their stay in Saudi Arabia to a maximum of 96 hours.