Beaches
Yemen has some fantastic coastal areas with the beach at Aden standing out as a good example of a family friendly spot. Trundle down there of a morning with the family, get yourself settled on the sand and relax while the kids get busy with buckets and spades, play ball games, paddle or swim and have fun burying Dad up to the neck in the sand. The atmosphere is relaxed and you won’t find yourself hassled by touts or hawkers.

Camel Rides
Local travel companies offer a variety of short trips and day tours, included among which is the chance to take a camel ride in the desert. The kids will love sitting astride these wonderful creatures as they plod across the desert landscape mimicking the traditions held for centuries by those residing in the area. Bring the camera and get a few snaps which your little ones can appreciate later when they’ve washed the desert sand from their faces.

Kid’s clubs
Many of the reputable hotels, especially in the capital Sana’a, run kids clubs at which parents can leave their young ones while they go and relax by the pool for a few hours. Clubs are run by trained staff who present a variety of activities aimed at entertaining the younger members of the family.

Sana’a Zoo
Less than a decade old (completed in 1999), the Sanaa Zoo located in Yemen’s capital city is one of the few attractions there that will keep the kids occupied for the day and capture the attention of parents too. The zoo is perhaps not as impressive as similar facilities in the west, but is an ongoing project constantly seeking to improve itself so visitors should appreciate it for what it is rather than what it isn’t. A good selection of animals can be found at the zoo including lions, tigers, monkeys, lizards and snakes; further species are due to be added in the zoo’s development program.

Bird watching
The Red Sea islands are home to a large number of fascinating species of bird and offer ornithological enthusiasts plenty of chances to indulge their passions. The spring and summer seasons see large numbers of migratory birds assemble on the islands while en route to Africa. Raptors, in particular, are prevalent at these times and can be seen in their hundreds, stopping to take a rest before continuing on their epic quests. Arabian Bustards can also be occasionally spotted around Zebid and Aden.

Gymnasiums and Fitness Centres
Reputable hotels such as branches of the Sheraton in Aden and in Sana’a, have their own fitness centres where those visitors feeling in need of a workout, can go a shed a little sweat or pump some iron. These facilities are invariably available to hotel guests only but some may permit outsiders on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Hiking
Up in the highlands where the weather is cooler, visitors will find good opportunities to put on a stout pair of boots or walking shoes and head out into the wilderness for a spot of hiking. If you intend on taking a lengthy hike then you’re advised to employ the services of a guide or risk getting lost. For short hikes, just pack plenty of water and some lunch and set off, keeping a keen eye on where you are starting from and what direction you are going in.

Mountain biking
Yemen has some ideal off-road cycling terrain with conditions to challenge some of the most experienced riders. Tour operators can offer everything the visitor needs for a full day of riding in the highland areas of the country or those with their own bikes can get details of routes available from the same sources and head out under their own steam.

Scuba diving and snorkeling
Yemen offers some great opportunities for scuba diving with trips to the Red Sea available from Sana’a, the country’s capital city. Local tour operators organise 10-day boat trips around the Hanish and Zubeir islands where the waters are home to a wide variety of fascinating flora and fauna. Visitors with their own mask and snorkel can do a spot of snorkeling from the beach, alternatively boat trips to good snorkeling areas, are available.

Swimming
The beaches of Yemen are perfect for those who enjoy a spot of swimming, with waters calm enough to do laps or just take a gentle paddle. Public pools are also available and can be found in Ataq, Sana'a and Sey'un among other places while many of the reputable hotels have their own pools available for guests.

Yemen differs from the rest of the Middle East in terms of cuisine and it’s fair to say that it has a selection of its own dishes that are unique to the country and not found in other parts of the region. As a general rule, lamb and chicken are the most commonly eaten meats, beef less so on account of its expense. Fish also makes its way into a variety of local dishes, especially in the country’s coastal regions. Dairy products are less prevalent in Yemeni cuisine than in other Middle Eastern countries although buttermilk is the one exception to this rule and is a traditional ingredient used by many Yemeni village people. Savoury dishes are traditionally cooked using vegetable all while deserts and pastries invariably use a kind of clarified butter known as semn.

Yemen’s national dish is known as saltah and is traditionally eaten at lunchtimes, consisting of a brown meat stew made from lamb or chicken (sometimes beef) and served with a sauced called sahawiq which is made from chili, tomato, herbs and garlic. Starches such as rice and potatoes are often added to the stew and the finished product is generally eaten with a flatbread such as malooga, khubz, or khamira. Typical Middle Eastern dishes such as hummus and falafel can of course be found in restaurants in popular tourist areas however they tend to be eaten more by holiday makers than by the locals.

Coffee is widely grown in Yemen and famous for its distinct flavour and character, ensuring its popularity with coffee drinkers both across the Middle East and in international circles. Black tea is however the main beverage of choice for most Yemeni citizens and is served at most mealtimes and often flavoured with ingredients such as cloves, cardamom and mint.

There’s no shortage of places to eat out in Yemen, however the restaurant experience is quite different from in other countries and is much more about satisfying one’s need to eat than socialising. An average meal in a restaurant lasts under 30 minutes as most dishes are pre-prepared and kept warm, reducing your waiting time to almost nothing once you’ve ordered your food from the list. Only Yemeni men frequent the restaurants and while visiting women are welcome, some may find the atmosphere a little intimidating and prefer to stick to the hotel restaurants where both sexes are equally accepted.

Some visitors may be lucky enough to get invited to the homes of locals for dinner and this is a unique opportunity that should not be passed up. Large numbers of dishes are cooked by the women (who rarely make an appearance and stay hidden in the kitchen most of the time) and laid out on the floor for male family members and guests to sit around and dig into at their whim. Be sure to try a bit of everything, both to be polite and to ensure that you appreciate the full dining experience.

Yemen is the place to go if you like handicrafts and original ethnic. The Yemeni souks are the best places to go to get an authentic shopping experience and to find all your gifts to take home to family and friends. Men may wish to purchase a Jambiaya, the traditional Yemeni dagger that is carried in a scabbard and worn at the waist of local males. Jambiayas vary in quality and some are intended as souvenirs only, having very little practical value, while others (the more expensive ones) are sharp, intricately decorated and capable of cutting a variety of objects. Be careful when taking such items back home, some countries may not permit the importing of them even in checked baggage. For female visitors, the jewellery is unusual and generally of a reasonably high standard with items made from silver and semi-precious stones constituting the most popular purchases. Antique coins, woven goods, oil lamps and spices such as frankincense and myrrh are all popular tourist purchases and can be found easily at souks and at regular shops across the country. Generally speaking, Yemeni vendors are not aggressive in their sales techniques and will leave you alone when you have indicated a lack of interest in a product. Haggling is encouraged but is a tradition kept mainly for fun and won’t generally get you huge savings off quoted prices. Do enter into the spirit of the game however as it is part of the whole experience.