Mecca

Islam's holiest city, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Mecca Guides

• Saudi Arabia: A Whole New World

  ryan (Ryan Haq)
  This month, I visited my 52nd country -- Saudi Arabia. There seem to be fewer and fewer places on Earth that feel truly unique, and Saudi is one of them. Now, you may have some preconceived notions about Saudi Arabia (I know I did). Some of it is right, some of it is wrong. Saudi Arabia is a country living in both the past and the future. The country's recent changes have opened it to tourism, eliminated laws that forced women to wear headscarves & niqabs, allowed women to drive, and eliminated the moral police. Yet, Saudis are a respectful people & embrace their traditions and cultures. Saudi is a rich country, full of modern amenities & using their wealth to reimagine the future. Yet, parts of Saudi seem untouched in centuries. Now, this is not a trip I would recommend for first-time travelers or solo female travelers. This isn't because Saudi is uninviting to women, but because Islamic traditions require men to be hyper respectful to women (at times to the point of excluding / separating women for their protection, or feeling uncomfortable even speaking to women). It's helpful to have a guy with you here. Navigating Saudi culture can seem a little daunting. But (even if you're a solo woman), the people are warm, normal, and frankly pretty chill. I enjoyed my trip here and am interested in visiting different parts of the country. If you're interested in chatting more about Saudi, drop a comment!

• Places I've been

  ste.divita (Stefania Di Vita)
  "We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls."

• The Most Famous Landmarks Around the World

  seeker (Seeker Editors)
  These monumental locations have maintained their status as bucket list-worthy travel destinations. Whether it's the iconic Hollywood sign that transports you into a movie or the mysterious structure of Stonehenge that has puzzled historians for centuries, these landmarks are distinguished in how they have influenced culture across the globe. Inspiring natural wonders, conspiracy-inducing formations, and outright stunning achievements of humanity: enjoy our seeker-approved list of the world's most famous landmarks..

• Top 50 Cities Around the World

  seeker (Seeker Editors)
  In case you need inspo for your next big vacay we put together a list of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations around the world. Including the lush streets of Singapore, the ancient ruins in Athens, the always sunny paradise of Miami, and everything you can imagine in between. As professional travelers, we know that these destinations are sure to provide whatever it is you seek in your excursions.

• Most famous landmarks around the world

  chiefseeker (Jody Vandergriff)

• World's Most Popular Destinations

  chiefseeker (Jody Vandergriff)