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Only a few ruins stand of what used to be Bilqis's splendorous capital, the heart of the mytical Kingdom of Sheba, today booming again thanks to the oil prosperity.However, the long and hard drive was worth every minute. And not that I am a name romantic.Or am I?
Like any other tourist destination, Sana'a has also its day-trip options. But here, Wadi Bahr eclipses any other alternative. This attractive town boasts an amazing early XX century palace built on top of a tall monolith. An image repeated 1.001 times in every promotion campaign or guide book on Yemen.
Our Yemenia flight landed in Sana'a in the middle of the night. The darkness and the exhaustion would not let us notice what we were going through while our transfer to the hotel. Better so. A few hours later, we were awaken by the sun rays going through the coloured glass panels of our window. The only sounds we could articulate as we peeked out into the outside world were mere OHHHs and WAWs.We were gazing at a forest of minarets and clay skyscrappers reflecting the morning sun. It looked rather like a stage decor for Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri than a real and lived city. Truly, the most fascinating and best preserved medina my eyes have ever seen.
The only way to see what the real Yemen is like is to get in your four wheel drive - thses are essential with the terrain - and drive out into the countyrside.As the area around Sa'ana is high above sea level the views are amazing . Terraced farming is almosty everywhere you look, like steps for giants goin down into the valleys.Yemeni road engoineering is something to be marveklled at - gravel tracks almost wind up and down the mountain passes with huge gullies on one side and vast cliffs sprinkling rocks down on the other.Every so often going along a road you will find shrines to the people that died building them, most of then are chinese pagolas, whos bright colours are a stark contrast to the dust ridden hills behind them.Keep an eye out for the joys of Yemei's driving. Kamikazi/death wish/pain lunacy is all in eveidence. Cars here are not well kept but simple used until they fall...
Located at 1400 m, Taiz (350 000 inhabitants) was the old capital of Yemen. These last years, the city was largely rebuilt and counts new districts and shopping centers more modern than elsewhere in the country. Nevertheless, Taiz has very old districts and many mosques dating from the Rasulide time.
Wadi Dhahr is located 14 km to the northwest of Sanaa and is considered to be the most important recreation area for the city of Sanaa.Here, all kinds of fruit are grown. In the center of the Wadi perches Dar Al-Hajar (Rock Palace), a palace built on top of an enormous rock, dating back to 1786 AD, and ordered by Imam Mansour Ali Bin Mehdi Abbas. In the 1930s, Imam Yahya Hameed Al-Ddin added the upper stories and annexes and used it as a rest house.There is an ancient well piercing the rock from top to bottom as well as an old rocky grave yard.You can visit the palace, enjoy the view and the wonderful mosaic windows!
The market in Bait-el-Faqih was huge and a joy to visit! Bait-el-Faqih is located in the Tihama plain, which means, that there is a rather humid climate. This was a little hard for us, but the hustle and bustle of the market made it all worthwhile!
Sada is quite nice, although most people come here for the surroundings (Shahara). The city walls are well preserved, behind the Bab al Yaman you can do a walk in the city.What I found most fascinating was a walk on top of the old city wall!! What an experience!
Sanaa is one of the most fascinating cities I have ever visited!There are numerous things that you can do there:* Al-Medina is the old part of Sana'a and will be one of the highlights of your trip. It's best to visit in the morning. * The silvermarket is on the East side of the city. There are about 40 suqs, each with its own specialty. It's a must. * West of Al-Medina is the Turkish quarter. You'll find the Maydan at-Tahrir. It's the heart of modern Sana'a where you find facilities like a tourist office, post office etc...
The souk(the market) in Sanaa. Wow, the smells of all the spices; all the locals out shopping (this is where you see the women but most wear veils). Nice brassware, fabulous old silver jewelry (but know what you're buying), and a chance to buy a Jambiyaa (the ornate curved knives carried by all men). Also, head out of town and visit historic sites, and interesting climbs through the rocks to stand on cliffs overlooking beautiful valleys.What a great chance to see a low-pressure Arab bazaar and to take your time to shop. Smells, sounds, sights, wonderful people.
Arabia Felix Sanaa
6 Reviews and 22 Opinions absolutely PERFECT! We had all we need - hot water, cable TV, views and very interesting stay....
Shibam Hotel Shibam
2 Reviews and 0 Opinions I didn't stay there, but went there in early afternoon hoping for a cup of tea. But they don't have...
Al Hawta Palace Hotel Say'un
1 Review and 10 Opinions Al Hawta Palace Hotel is situated on the outskirts of Say'un and is set in lovely landscaped...
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Q: Hi, i want to travel to hodeidah and then to Mukalla.Can I get flight from hod to Mukalla and Mukalla to saana?
A: The only domestic carriers are Yemenia and Felix. There are no direct connections from Hodeidah to Mukhalla. You'd have to go via San'a. Of note, San'a airport has closed...
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