Yemen Middle East Destination | Tours & Travel to Yemen | Yemen Information

The destination of Yemen is a place of stark contrasts. The country still clings on to its past while it heralds into the modern present era. Capable of attracting tourists by means of its striking natural beauty and spectacular Islamic and post Islamic architectural delights Yemen gets in tourists in droves. The landscaped beauty of Yemen is diversely beautiful which ranges from high opulent mountains to lush green valleys and semi arid plains. The country seems to have lost track of time and still seems to be existing in the medieval times only to realize its folly and start moving forward in time. There is a feeling of timelessness while in Yemen. Nothing seems to look like what exists in the present times.

The Romans were the first to relinquish control over Yemen and it was in about the 7th century after its fall that the country came under the influence of Islam. Several regional powers followed thereafter in an attempt to prove their dominance in the region until in about the 15th century the country of Yemen became the crux of the struggle between the Ottoman empire and the Egyptians. This fight for superior dominancy later on shifted between the Europeans and the Ottomans until Yemen declared its independence.

The present day summer capital of Yemen, Sana, is a 400 year old settlement. The city is an excellent reminder of old times that the country has been witness too. Time seems to hold still as one walks by the streets of Sana which are lined by quaint old homes depicting every minutest detail that one would have witnessed in the houses centuries ago. The quintessential feeling of the city can be best felt on a trip to the city’s souq’s which are found clustered around the central market. The aromatic smells wafting through the air provides the visitor with the perfect middle eastern extravaganza. The Jambia Souq provides the traveler with the perfect opportunity to watch the skilled craftsmen and artisans at work making the ceremonial daggers worn by the local men folk in the country. The muslim travelers cannot miss the opportunity to visit the ancient Al-Jami’ al-Kabir mosque which was built around 630AD. The archeological site of Ma’rib is simply the most impressive sights in Yemen. The existence of the city was first heard during the creation of a dam here in the 8th century BC, but destruction of the dam in 2nd century AD led Ma’rib to become an inconsequential village. The ancient fortress village of Shihara situated on top of a mountain is almost inaccessible from down below and is noted for its amazing five storied town houses which are further decorated using white plaster. Another great destination to pay a visit too is the town of Shibam which has to its honor of being a place where one of the stories of the Arabian nights was hosted. The mosque and the city gate along with other old constructions have been found to have ancient inscriptions marked on them. The town of Say’un should be visited to view and marvel at Yemen’s most beautiful and exquisite mosques.
The land of the Arabian Nights and of Queen Sheba, Yemen though may not have tourist resorts or luxurious options but a trip once to this destination will surely make the entire trip worth while.

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