Yemen is classic unspoiled Arabia. Though it is little known compared to other parts of the region, but it is one of the undiscovered treasures of the  Middle East. If you want to experience a unique culture then Yemen is ideal!

Yemen was only fully unified politically in 1990. Before this religious , political and tribal differences had always created barriers to any kind of uniformity or homogeneity.  Named Arabia Felix by the Romans, Yemen's geographical location, has both created wealth and made it strategically important.

Yemen first came to prominence around 1000Bc with the start of the frankincense routes. It was one of the most important commodities of its time along with gold. Yemeni merchants used the advantageous trade winds to add more treasure to their Bedouin caravans  in the form of spices, silks, swords and ivory. The State of Saba  was one of the most powerful built on these riches and  was legendary ruled by Bilquis,  the Queen of Sheba.

The arrival of Islam in Yemen within the Prophet Mohammed's lifetime spurred the building of the Great Mosque in Sana'a and the one in Zabid. Early Islamic history was dominated for a short period by another Queen, Arwa. She ruled from Jibla for over half a century and the extent of her wealth and influence ensured that Jibla became a rich and fertile area.

The Romans unsuccessfully tried to invade Yemen in 24AD, but it wasn't until 1507, when the Portuguese took the island of Socotra that  European colonialism began to affect Yemen. The Turks fearing strategic control of  the Red Sea took control of Aden. Economically this was an positive time for Yemen with the coffee trade flourishing and Yemen, and more specifically the town of Al Mokha on the Red Sea coast,  became the world's leader  in coffee production. This supremacy lasted for over  200 years.

As a deep water port that controlled the entrance to the Red Sea, Aden  was  extremely important. In 1839, as their Empire expanded, the British took the port from the Sultan of Lahij. The completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 meant that the Turks were able to occupy the Northern part of Yemen whilst the British  effectively controlled the South. This so called 'velvet line'  marked out what was to become the two states of North and South Yemen. 

Inequalities of rule, the death of a prominent Imam and  the medieval state of the country led to revolution in the North  which lasted till 1969 with the formation of The Yemen Arab Republic (Y.A.R). Similar strong feeling towards the British, which had increased considerably since the Suez crisis in the 1950s, led to their withdrawal from Aden and the South in 1957. The leftist politicians found support from the Eastern Bloc and led to the formation of the Arab world's first Marxist State, the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (P.D.R.Y.).

Border disputes and tribal tensions, as well as the assassination of several presidents of Y.A.R. led to the eventual election of Ali Abdullah Saleh as president in 1978. Under his strong leadership the North became more settled. The subsequent collapse  of the USSR forced the P.D.R.Y to re-evaluate  its political alliances and led to its eventual unification with the North in 1990. A constitution was drawn up, giving equality to all citizens and new democratic rights and freedom which had never existed before in Yemen. Despite another brief civil war in 1994, Yemen has enjoyed a period of relative calm under the continued leadership of President Saleh. 

With the  discovery of oil close to the ancient trade routes through Ma'rib, Yemen may yet  see a long awaited renaissance that will restore the prosperity once enjoyed by this beautiful, unusual  and interesting country.

Taiz is in a valley ringed by high mountains which rise up to 3070 metres. Towering above the city is the impressive  mountain of  Jebel Sabir. The climate is not oppressively hot  for the Middle East and there are several months of heavy afternoon rain through September to November, and cool nights in winter. Taiz is a spectacular mountainous region with attractive, green, intensively cultivated valleys. The country itself is one of the greenest in the Middle East  with similarities geographically to the Lebanon and Oman.

Taiz is Yemen?s third largest city. It boasts a  wonderful old town with plenty of good shopping in the souks. Taiz is a welcoming place. The people are very friendly.

Yemen is a traditional Muslim country. The vast majority of Yemeni women in the cities wear a traditional black balto or abaya whilst in the rural areas a colourful setarrah is more common. The women generally cover their faces with a veil or scarf. Yemenis expect visitors and foreigner workers to dress  modestly. This means that both for men and women, shoulders and knees are covered and the clothing is not too tight or see through.

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