In the Realm of the Queen of Sheba

A country that lives with its age-old traditions, the hovering myth of the Queen of Sheba and the desire to make the country flourish again like the Garden of Eden. From the capital Sana'a, of indescribable beauty and with the magical atmosphere created by the architecture of its palaces, to Shibam with its mud skyscrapers, to the island of Socotra, a true paradise with untouched beaches and an exceptional ecosystem to be preserved. Sana'a Visit to the splendid capital of Yemen, which retains the appearance of a medieval village with mud walls containing the beautiful stone and brick buildings decorated with arabesques and white stucco. The characteristic windows topped by lunettes with coloured glass or precious alabaster give a fairy-tale appearance to the whole.

The old city, with its colourful souk rich in a thousand wares and the swarming of people in typical dress, creates a set of perfect harmony between man and the environment. Sana'a – Manaka – Hajjara – Hoteip – Hodeida Among valleys and canyons of the Haraz mountains, you visit two stone villages with houses 5-6 storeys high. Along a dirt road you reach Al Hajjara, a small miniature fortress perched on a mountainside with narrow alleys that allow only passage on foot and with tall tower-houses. Return to Manaka, lunch at the funduq, a typical Yemeni hotel. Manaka is located in an area where an excellent variety of coffee is grown. In 1600, it was an important commercial centre for the sale of this product, which was then exported through the port of Mokha.

Continue to Hoteip, where there is the tomb of a holy man venerated by Indian Muslims, among beautiful landscapes and fortified villages. Arrival in the evening at Hodeida, the main Yemeni port. In the morning, a visit to the lively fish market with its typical colourful boats and departure for Beyt al Faqih, a small town with interesting whitewashed houses embellished with a thousand frills. Visit to the city, the souk and continue to Zabid, the holy city with a beautiful mosque, splendid architecture with painted wooden ceilings. In the afternoon departure for Taiz, located in an excellent position, visit to the very lively souk.