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PLACES OF INTEREST
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Sana'a, Wadi Dhar, Shibam - Kawkaban, Shaharah, Sa'ada, Tihama, Hodeidah, Beit Al-Faqih, Zabid, Khawkha, Manakha, Taiz, Jibla, Marib and Baraqish, The Desert, Wadi Hadramaut, Mukalla, Aden and Socotra Island
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SANA’A
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Founded by Noah according to the legend, or by the Sabeans in the 2nd century AD in the heart of a fertile plain, the old city of Sana’a is still surrounded by its pise walls. Classified by UNESCO as part of the world’s heritage, it presents an absolutely unique & perfectly preserved ensemble of traditional architecture. The walls between the high facades are adorned with plasterwork decoration, the soaring white minarets and the perfectly ordered columes are quite enchanting. In the heart of the old city is the vast Suq, traditional and lively, where one can find all kinds of Yemenite craftsmanship
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WADI DHAR
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Deep in a fertile valley rises the ancient palace built 200 years ago, summer residence of the late Imam Yahya, perched on a narrow rocky peak, it seems to defy time & gravity.
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SHIBAM - KAWKABAN
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Dating to remote antiquity, Kawkaban is the upper town of Shibam & can be reached by a paved path, which follows the flank of the cliff. Shibam, former capital of The Yaffouride Dynasty (861-956). Kawkaban, at 3000m altitude dominates the entire region.
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SHAHARAH
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Placed where the expression "eagle nest" finds its full meaning. Shaharah is famous for its astonishing suspended bridge
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SA’ADA
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An important town in the north, at Sa’ada and the region may be seen one of the most beautiful examples of the tower-house in pise (Zaboor).
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TIHAMA
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Tihama, "low land" is a narrow coastal plain stretching from the north to the south of the country. There the presence of nearby Africa may be glimpsed through the hut villages.
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HODEIDAH
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The modern port on the Red Sea. Not to be missed, is the arrival of the "dhows" Arab-fishing boats in the early morning bringing sharks and different types of fish and shrimps.
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BEIT AL FAQIH
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Its picturesque Suq on Friday is the most animated in Tihama.
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ZABID
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Founded in the 6th century AD, Zabid was a cultural & religious center of prime importance, as testifies its great mosque. The architecture of Zabid is quite special: the houses are one or two storeys only, organized around a courtyard, the white washed facades are decorated by the skillfully placed bricks.
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KHAWKHA
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The most beautiful palm-grove and the most beautiful beach close to a port.
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MANAKHA
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In the heart of Jebel Haraz. This powerful mountain mass is a veritable natural fortress where the Ismailien community, a dissident sect of Islam took refuge. Fortified villages such as Al-Hajjarah & Al-Hoteib may be visited. Undoubtedly some of the most impressive landscapes in the country.
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TAIZ
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Taiz was capital under the Rassoulides dynasty (1229 -1454), great builders who embellished their capital, several mosques dating back to this period may be admired. The site of the city itself is superb overlooked by the imposing mass of the Jebel Saber (3000m) sprinkled with villages and a veritable botanical garden.
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JIBLA
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A very beautiful little town in the heart of "Green Yemen" Jibla was the capital of the Sulayhides and the famous queen Arwa in the sixth century. She is buried in the fabulous mosque, which she had built in the center of the city.
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MARIB & BARAQISH
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In Marib, former capital of the famous kingdom of Sheba, may be seen the imposing vestiges of the dam that brought prosperity to the people of Sheba, the ruins of monumental temples. Today a new dam has allowed the desert to become green again. In Baraqish, may be seen the walls of a former city of the Ma’in kingdom (IVth century BC) one of the most spectacular monuments in this area.
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THE DESERT
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From Marib, one can reach the Hadramaut valley through the desert, crossing waves of dunes, following the old incense road to Shabwa, the ancient capital of the Hadramaut kingdom.
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WADI HADRAMAUT
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Hadramaut seems like a miracle, an oasis-like valley 120kms long, lost between immensity of the desert & aridity of the plateau. Hidden between two high cliffs, the valley is populated with numerous villages and cities of wonderful pise architecture like Seyun & Tarim. Shibam with its "sky scrapers" houses & Wadi Douan, also classified as a part of the world's heritage. Hadramaut can be reached by plane from Sana’a or Aden, or by paved road from Aden.
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MUKALLA
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An important port, with its Arabian, Victorian and Indian architecture style, close to the attractive & wild south coast along the Indian Ocean where it is most likely to see the beautiful sea turtles of Al-Mahrah.
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ADEN
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The economic capital of the country and second city, with a rich past. One can discover the national museum or the impressive antique group of eighteen water tanks dating back to the first century AD dug into a sloping site and the majority are carved out of the soil rock and connected to each other by canals running along Al-Tawilah valley.
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SOCOTRA ISLAND
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Land of Andem and Al-Akhwan trees which produces olibanum medicinals, incenses and dyes some of which are used for decoration also found in this island are some animals of African origin. The land of 105 species of Birds, 30 species reproduce in the island, 6 species are endemic & 3 species are likely to be extinct.
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