Al-Raudha
Literally the garden city of Sana’a, interesting the architecture of the
Imam Gasim Mosque from the 17th cent. and the rural clay houses made in
the Sana’a style and the vineyards, every Sunday - market
Shibam - Kaukaban
Together with Thula Himyarite capital of the Yafur dynasty until the
beginning of Islam (7th/8th cent.), retreat place of the imams in the
16th cent. during the First Ottoman Conquest, visit of fortress town
Kaukaban, from there marvelous open view over the whole surrounding
area, small walk downhill to Shibam
Thula - Hababah
Fortress town of the imams in the 16th cent., 2800m high, visit of Thula,
archetype of the Yemeni stone architecture. Near to Thula, village
Hababah with its impressive cisterns
Manakhah, Al-Hoteip, Al-Hajjarah
Walking to / from Al Hoteip, pilgrimage place of Ismaeli sect, and
passing the village Kahel to / from fortress Al Hajjarah, Manakhah is
center of the Haraz region with the 3000m high mountain Djabal Shibam
Beit Al-Faqih
Fridays, biggest weekly regional market of the Yemen in the Africa-like
coastal plain of Tihama
Zabid
Former capital and first university of Arabia in the 9th cent., in the
16th cent. seat of the Ottoman governor, visit of the old city with its
mosques and citadel
Al-Khokha
Fishing village with palm woods along the Red Sea, swimming is possible,
facultative boat cruise in the Red Sea, diving possible
Al-Makha
Former coffee port of the Yemen, impressive landscape along the coast
between Al-Khokha and Al-Makha
Taiz
Situated on the foot of the 3000m high mountain Djabal Saber; famous for
its beautiful mosques from the 13th / 14th cent., visit of the Ashrafyah-mosque,
the souks and the National museum, drive upon the mountain Djabal Saber
Al-Djanad – Mosque
This mosque was built in the lifetime of the Prophet Mohamed. It is a
courtyard mosque and together with the Great Mosque in Sana’a one of the
oldest mosques of Islam. Both mosques are built after the model of the
Kaaba-mosque in Mecca
Yufrus
Ibn Alwan, a holy person and teacher of Sufism, built this courtyard
mosque with a Quranic school in the 13th cent.. The mosque has an
impressive architecture and stands majestically in the landscape. This
holy place is together with Al-Djanadyah -mosque a place of pilgrimage,
both are near Taiz.
Wadi Dhabab
This fertile subtropical oasis is situated between Taiz and Yafrus.
Every Sunday the villagers of this region meet each other here at the
market.
Djiblah
Capital of the Yemen in the 11th cent. under the rule of the unique
queen in Islam, situated in the green Mountain-Yemen, walk through the
1000 year old town, visit of the perimeter of the Queen Arwa Mosque
Wadi Hadhramaut
In ancient times the Hadhramaut was called the "Holy Land". Many graves
from pre-Islamic prophets (ex. HUD in Quran = Eber in Old Testament) and
other saints still reflect those times. The Wadi Hadhramaut can only be
entered through Rub Al Khali desert/Marib and the mountain plateau Al-Djol
/Al-Mukalla -is a fertile oasis surrounded with date-palms and majestic
sand-rock mountains. Situated in this cultural landscape are the three
cities Shibam, Sa’yun and Tarim.
Shibam
Capital of the ancient kingdom Hadhramaut after the fall of the town
Shabwah, founded in the 3rd cent, a town with unique clay houses and
impressive art work on wooden doors and windows, visit of the town,
before sunset a walk along the mountain situated opposite the town in
order to enjoy the skyscraper-silhouette of Shibam in the evensong
Sa’yun
Center of the Wadi Hadhramaut and former residence of the Kathiri
sultans, The palace of the sultan has a folklore and an archaeological
museum, visit of the market, the handicraft market and the palace with
its museums
Tarim
Spiritual center of the Hadhramaut since the 10th cent., romantic town
with many palaces and mosques, walk through the city, visit of the Ahgaf
library which has old manuscripts of the Quran.
Wadi Doan
Tropical valley deriving from the Wadi Hadhramaut - surrounded by
date-palms, the two old clay towns Khoreibah and Al-Hajjarein are the
end-points of the Wadi. Visit of both cities
Al-Mukalla
Capital of the governorate Hadhramaut, situated on the Indian Ocean,
visit of the old city and the souks. The old houses still have artistic
work on the wooden doors and windows
Aden
An urban settlement since ancient times. The legends say, that Cain and
Abel founded Aden, natural harbor and economical center of the Yemen in
the future. Visit of the impressive ancient cisterns. "The Tanks", the
palace of the sultan, the Aideroos-mosque, the house of Rimbaud, the
Tawahi quarter, the Gold Mohur coast and the market, boat cruise (see
Aden Hotel)
Marib
Situated on the beginning of the Rub Al-Khali desert, former Capital of
the ancient empire of the Queen of Sheba, Now capital of the governorate
Marib near the big oil fields, visit of the old city, the temples, the
remains of the 3000 years Old Dam and the new dam.
Baraqish
Former capital of the ancient kingdom Ma’een, caravan station on the
ancient incense road, 2400 year old city wall with inscriptions,
excavation of an temple, sightseeing.
Bir Ali
Former ancient incense port Qana on the Indian Ocean, possibility of
swimming.
Habban
Former Jewish silversmith settlement in the outer Hadhramaut, impressive
old clay houses, visit of the old city.
Hajjah
Fortress of the imams in the 16th and 20th cent., one of the most
beautiful mountain landscapes of the Yemen between Kohlan and Hajjah.
Saada
Foundation of the Imamate in 892, interesting clay architecture, walk on
the city wall, ancient rock drawings and picturesque clay villages in
the surrounding of Saada.
Shaharah
A place of escape for the imams in the 19th cent., 2800m above sealable,
walk downhill over the famous bridge which connects the two peaks Fish
and Amer.
Al-Tawilah
Town built upon a mountain, surrounded with one of the most beautiful
terrace landscapes of the Yemen, visit of the city with its interesting
old stone houses and souk. |