The big draw off the coast of Jeddah for scuba fans is the Chicken Wreck. A misfortunate skipper whose cargo was frozen chicken managed to fall foul of the reef and subsequently lost not only his load but also his ship, which now wallows on the reef at a depth of around 15 metres.

Water temperatures in summer are around 29 degrees Celsius, making diving conditions extremely pleasant but in winter temperatures can drop to as low as 22 degrees. Any divers heading for Jeddah on a winter break would be well advised to pack their 5mm wetsuit complete with a hood if they are to avoid any chills!

When not engaged in diving, the main attraction for visitors to Jeddah is the old town, known as al-Balad. The ancient city walls have long gone, but still-surviving historic gates mark out the perimeter of the old town which contains a jumble of old buildings, including rickety coral-built houses. Although obviously in abundant supply due to the large reef just off shore, coral is not a particularly robust building material. As a result many of these two and three storey buildings look like they are teetering on the verge of collapse!

However, before taking pictures in Jeddah make sure you get the relevant photography licence and remember not to take photos of individuals without first obtaining their permission. Another marvellous photo opportunity presents itself at the King Fahd Fountain where the water is shot up to 312 metres in the air, making it the highest fountain in the world.

But, once the scuba and sightseeing options are exhausted only one thing remains – shopping! Most visitors to Jeddah head to the Red Sea Mall for some leather bargains and also to the boutiques at one of Saudi Arabia’s most exclusive districts – Tahlia Street. And, whether visiting Jeddah for the scuba experience or for the sightseeing, it is still a relatively undiscovered gem in the Middle East.