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Best Algeria Tours and Holidays 2025 - 2026 tours
Our small group tours to Algeria include all of the best sites to see in this marvellous gem of the Sahara!
The North of this little-understood country is marked by a magnificent coastline, mountains dotted with snow and lush pine forest. It is also home to some of the most charming cities in Africa, Algiers and Constantine. Some of the best-preserved ruins of the Roman Empire that still exist today are also found here and beg to be explored in their entirety with very few if any other tourists around.
In the South of the country, the landscape is dominated by the vast Western Sahara Desert full of small oasis towns, each with a charming architecture defined by red mud-brick houses and a local population curious to show what very few visitors they receive around their country.
Day 1 – Algeria
- Arrival at your convenience into the capital Algiers – a dazzling cultural mecca which is also the largest and the capital city of Algeria.
- Meet our driver at the airport and transfer to our hotel
- Head out for dinner and get a glimpse of the famous bars, discotheques, and dance halls around while exploring the nightlife of Algiers.
- Overnight at ABC Hotel
Day 2 – Algiers – Constantine
- Breakfast at hotel and head out for a full-day tour of the city. Don’t forget to wear light clothing and comfortable walking shoes or sandals. The narrow streets of Algiers make travelling by car difficult at times and must be done on foot.
- Explore the Casbah of Algiers – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and repository of Algerian culture and history. The remains of the citadel, old mosques and Ottoman-era palaces will bring you back to the ‘glory days’ of ancient Algeria.
- Visit the Palais des Rais – a shining symbol of Moorish architecture otherwise known as Bastion 23. One of the last remnants of the Ottoman rule.
- Stop by the La Grande Poste – constructed in 1910 it is still Algeria’s largest post office building.
- Lunch at the Lalla Mina – a restaurant best known for preparing dishes in the most traditional Algerian way. Famous for its couscous, harira soup, and lamb brochettes, among other dishes.
- Head to the Botanical Garden of Algiers, back then known as the Test Garden of Hamma – built in 1832 the park hosted a model farm to showcase what Algeria was capable of growing in its unique climate.
- Visit the Museum of War and Monument of Revolution – commemorating the Algerian War, the struggle for independence from France. The monument was opened in 1982 on the 20th anniversary of Algeria’s independence. It represents the shape of three standing palm leaves, each with a statue of a soldier underneath it as it protects the eternal flame.
- Visit the Museum of Fine Arts – a vast collection of the finest Algerian artworks and European paintings that date back to the 14th and 20th century.
- Dinner in Algiers before heading to the airport to board our 1 hour domestic flight to Constantine – Algeria’s third largest city.
- Transfer to our hotel and overnight in Constantine
Day 3 – Constantine – Djemila – Constantine
- Breakfast at hotel and depart to start our 2 hour journey along Algeria’s iconic highways to the picturesque mountain village of Djemilla.
- Here you’ll explore the Djemila Roman ancient city ruins – a UNESCO World Heritage Site where one of the world’s best-preserved Roman temples, basilicas, arches, and streets are to be found. This will give you better understanding of what the influence the Roman Empire had as they conquered Algeria from 160BCE to 430CE.
- Visit the Djemila Museum for a further look back in history with greater explanations of the era. Here you’ll see extraordinary archaeological wonders and relics excavated from the site and nearby areas.
- Lunch at a nearby restaurant and return to Constantine
- On arrival we’ll freshen up at the hotel and head out for dinner to explore the nightlife of the city
- Overnight in Constantine
Day 4 – Constantine – Algiers
- Breakfast at hotel and begin our city tour exploring Constantine – also known as the City of Bridges.
- Our first stop of the day will be to visit the Ahmed Bey Palace – one of the finest Ottoman-era buildings in Algeria. A majestic palace filled with courtyards, gardens, and orchards. Expensive tiles crafted in Algeria and France decorate the building.
- Walk over the iconic Pont de Sidi M’Cid – a 164 metres long suspension bridge across the Rhummel River. Built by the French and it was the highest bridge in the world from 1912 to 1929.
- Stop by the Monument aux Morts – a memorial that honours the city’s dead from World War I. More than 173,000 Algerians fought in World War I under the banner of France, with many of them taking part in the Battle of Verdun and other well-known battles of the war. Sadly, more than 36,000 of these Algerian soldiers perished during the war.
- Visit the monument of the dead, which was built after the First World War.
- Lunch at El Khaimah – one of the top restaurants in Algeria, known for its excellent service and food. The restaurant offers a wide selection of local wines and dishes. Méchoui, or spit-roasted lamb, is among the best you will ever find in the region.
- Visit to the Great Mosque of Constantine constructed in 1135CE.
- Walk along the Medina located in the heart of the old Constantine – a place full of life and merchants selling traditional street food and sweets.
- Stop by to explore the Emir Abd El Kader Mosque – the second largest mosque in the country.
- Dinner in Constantine before heading to the airport for the domestic flight back to Algiers
- Check into the hotel, and for those with the energy we’ll head out for a night in Algiers
- Overnight in Algiers
Day 5 – Algiers – Ghardaia
- Breakfast at our hotel and drive 1 hour to Tipaza to further explore the Roman ruins. Tipaza was an old Punic trading post conquered by the Romans. It was subsequently turned into a military colony by the emperor Claudius for the conquest of the kingdoms of Mauretania. It is one of the most famous ruins in all Northern Africa.
- On the way we’ll grab a coffee break along the Mediterranean coast to take in the view.
- Visit the distinguished Archaeological Museum of Cherchell which houses some of Algeria’s finest sculptures and mosaics.
- We’ll grab lunch at one of the most scenic spots not only in Algeria but along the Mediterranean.
- Explore the remaining roman temples, including the tomb of Cleopatra Celina who was the only daughter of Queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony. This site is exceptionally remarkable not only because of her resting place but her magnificent and imposing tomb that very few tourists know or visit.
- Make our way to the aiport to board a domestic flight to Ghardaia – located in northcentral Algeria in the middle of the Saharan Desert and home to some of Algeria’s most impressive architecture and monuments.
- Arrive and check into our hotel to freshen up
- Head out for dinner and explore the small village
- Overnight at Le Belvedere.
Day 6 – Ghardaia
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Head to M’Zab valley, which comprises of five villages in the heart of the Sahara Desert. This UNESCO site is a photographer’s dream with its unique architecture that is a source of inspiration for today’s urban planners.
- Head to the Ksar of Ghardaia, also called the pearl of the Oasis. No surprise, as this incredible village is nestled between hills. Roaming around, you will feel you have been taken back in time, leaving the modern world behind. This exotic city is a unique place.
- Try local cuisine while admiring the peculiar architecture.
- Next, we head to one of the hidden wonders of Beni Isquen, which has been perfectly preserved since the 10th century. This strictly religious city is a fantastic opportunity to get insight into the formation of heritage in Algeria.
- Stop for tea and visit one of the liveliest marketplaces of Beni Isquen. This is the perfect place to look for an authentic Algerian shopping experience.
- Back to the hotel Overnight at Le Belvedere.
Day 7 – Ghardaia – Algiers
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Go on an adventure through the Desert of Seseb and experience the Sahara Desert in all its glory. From local history, famous cuisine and fun in the dunes, you will feel like a true adventurer. Optional activity: rent quad bikes and hit the dunes!
- We’ll have lunch and transfer back to the airport for our flight to Algiers
- Transfer to our hotel, freshen up, hit the drinking spots of Algiers and enjoy a farewell dinner.
- Overnight in Algiers.
Day 8 – Algiers
- Breakfast at hotel
- Tour concludes with airport transfers – YPT is able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights out.
Extending a tour to Algeria
Filming in Algeria
Algeria blogs
18 Helpful Tips to Remember When Traveling with Your...
29 October 2017
Gareth Johnson
Planning a big trip with your pets We put together a list of twenty helpful tips to remember when traveling with your dogsIfyoure like 85 million other families in the USyou have at least one dog in your household These furry palsnbspare yourbest friends your life companionsBecause of that you probably want to take them everywhere you go including on vacation But you might not knownbspwhat you need to ensure their safety and comfort and are worried you may not be wellprepared for an upcoming tripIfyoure traveling with your dogs soon here arenbsp18 helpful tips toremember1nbspResearch VetsIfyou already know where youre going and what stops youre going to makeresearch a few vets who are on the way Emergencies with your dogs may happenso you want to be prepared just in caseWritedown all the pertinent information and store it somewhere safe and easy toaccess2 Get a Clean Bill of HealthThisis especially important if your dogs are on the older frailer sideItsunderstandable that you want to bring your pooches on trips with you butsometimes its just not feasible Make sure they get thorough exams before youconsider bringing them with youIfthey arent in the best of conditions it may be best to leave them home with asitter instead3 Research Airline PoliciesAreyou taking a flight Then make sure to read up on their flight policiesregarding dogsEvenif youre sure of what their policies are you should also call them up Thingscan change so its good to get verbal confirmation from a staff member beforeyour trip4 Research Your HotelsIfyoure making multiple stops you need to ensure the hotels youve booked arepetfriendly You can really hit some snags in your plans if you plan to staysomewhere that doesnt allow dogs so make sure you do your research early onDontplan on winging it when it comes to accommodations Although spontaneity can befun for some trips its not worth the hassle when youre bringing yourpooches5 Bring All Their Important PapersGatherall your dogs medical records IDs and other important documentation Thebest place to keep all these papers is in a large Ziploc bag Not only are allthe important documents in one place but theyre also waterproof in case anyaccidents happen6nbspPack a SqueegeeNothis isnt for cleaning up liquid messes from your pets It actually has areally great use picking up dog hair from carpets and upholsteryAllyou have to do is run this small tool over the carpet or upholstery and itllpick up all the hair for you Plus its very compact so you wont need togive up much space to pack it7nbspGet a Convenient Pet TravelCarrierThepet accessories market is huge considering how much people like to pampertheir pets One thing you should consider before going on a trip is getting apet travel carrierThenormal ones allow you to put your dogs in a cratelike structure but there aremany more that enable you to bring your pets along easily For instance thereare carriers made like backpacks Or there are some you can roll around onwheels8nbspTry a Short Trip FirstIfyour dogs have never been in the car before then its not ideal to bring themon a long road tripYouneed to make sure theyre comfortable with being in a car especially for longdurations Take them out when you run errands to see how they tolerate itStartsmall then gradually increase the lengths of your trips so they know being ina vehicle is no big deal This will decrease the chance of them kicking up afuss when you go on your actual road trip9nbspTire out Your DogsIfyour pooches are the type to get very anxious and restless during trips youmay want to tire them out for the road tripInthe days leading up to your journey take them out for extra exercise When thebig day arrives theyll be too pooped out to make a fuss Theyll either bevery complacent andor sleepy which means youll have an easier time10nbspBring Their Favorite ItemsThecar can be a somewhat unfamiliar place especially when compared to your homeYou can help your dogs feel more comfortable by bringing their favorite itemssuch as a blanket or toyPutthese things in the car first so when you bring them in their scents alreadyin the vehicle Then once they get in they can find comfort in their favoriteitems11nbspPack Some Baking SodaBakingsoda is handy for a number of things that can happen on a road tripAspill An accident from an overly filled bladder A bee stingBakingsoda can take care of it allJustpour some over the affected area for all 3 situations For the first 2 thebaking soda will get rid of both the stains and smells For the last scenarioit can help with swelling and pain12nbspBring a Box of NecessitiesWhenpacking for a trip it can get quite hectic You dont want to accidentallymiss out on throwing in something essential for your pupsTheymay not need a suitcase but allocating a small box for your dogs is a goodidea In it place their food medications treats toys water bowls waterbottles and poop bagsThatway everything you need for your canine friends can easily be found in oneplace13nbspPlan for Motion SicknessJust like with humans dogs can get motion sickness too To assist with this let your dogs get a window view since this can help them get their bearings and feel less nauseaPacksome chicken broth too Put a tiny bit in with their water it can have atherapeutic effect on your dogs just like it does on you when youre sickYoucan also ask your vet for some antinausea pills that are safe foryour dogs14nbspGet Car SeatsYoumay be tempted to let your pups roam free in the car you want them to stretchtheir legs after allButthis can be dangerous If you slam on the brakes for any reason they can goflying and really hurt themselvesThere are some dog car seats you can secure your dogs in Not only does this ensure their safety but yours as well You wont have to deal with random dogs crawling into your lap and whining for your attention while youre focused on drivingTo learn about the safest car seats for dogs click here 15 Be Within Your Dogs Lines ofSightYourdogs will need a clear line of sight to you Without it they can feel unsafeand insecure during the trip which may cause them to act outIfyour dogs are in car seats or carriers position it so they can see you whileyou drive If no ones in the passenger seat you can put them up there and petthem occasionally for reassurance16nbspTake Lots of BreaksItmay be annoying to take more breaks than planned but itll be all worth it forthe wellbeing of your pooches This is especially true if you have them in carseats or pet carriers for the entire journeyTakebreaks often so everyone can stretch their legs Take some laps around thepark throw a ball around and relieve yourselves before making the nextstretch of your journey17 Bring Some MultivitaminsBring some bottles of thebest dog vitaminsandpremium CBD for your petto keep your pooches happy healthy and energetic These are easy to feed them just give them one a day and itll help them with joint inflammation and protect against things like cell damage and anxietyItmay be a good idea to start them on these multivitamins before you leave Notonly will it improve their health in the long term but itll also get themused to it That way you wont experience difficulty feeding your dogmultivitamins while on the trip18nbspDont Leave Your Dogs Alonein the CarYoumight want to just pop inside a diner to eat a quick lunch but dont leaveyour dogs alone in the vehicle Depending on the temperatures outside they mayquickly become uncomfortable within an hour It can even be dangerous for theirhealthMakesure you bring some leashes so you can tie them up in the shade outside ofbuildings Leave a water bowl with them so they can drink whenever they needtoMake Traveling With Your Dogs aCinchWhenit comes to traveling with your dogs it should be no problem now that you knowsome of the best tipsThemost important thing is both you and your pooches are safe happy andcomfortable Know everyones limitations and dont push them By taking it easyand utilizing our tips youll be able to go anywhere with your precious dogsFormore travel tips please take a look at our other blog articles
The 3Dimensional Use of Time Anecdotes of Kim Jong I...
05 July 2016
Alistair Riddell
A perk to working in North Korean tourismnbspis access to the fascinating literature of the DPRK Rarely read by foreigners or made available online wed like to share some Here is an unedited excerptnbsptaken from the book Anecdotes of Kim Jong Ils Life Part 1 2012 Foreign Languages Publishing House Pyongyang DPRKnbspOne March day in 1987 an official went to the office ofKim Jong Il bringing a document the latter had asked for Hefound Kim Jong Il writing Shortly after he entered the office thephone rang Motioning to the official to take a seat Kim Jong Iltold him to wait a moment After hanging up he asked the officialto read the document and resumed writingThe document was an important report on the internationalsituation So the official remained silent in his chair waiting forhim to finish writingIm all right Please read it he said to the official withoutlifting his eyesThe official stood up and started to read At one momentKim Jong I1 said that he had already known what he was beingtold and at another moment he asked the date of the informationanalyzing and assessing the various items of information He waswriting all the timeWriting a speech and analyzing a situation report are bothintellectually demanding It is next to impossible to write and talkabout different things at the same time especially when one isengaged in writing something important as Kim Jong Il was Yethe was writing a report on intensifying ideological educationRead more anecdotes Its Quite Strange Anecdotes of Kim Jong Il Profound Knowledge of Poultry Anecdotes of Kim Jong Il
Wait people celebrate Christmas in Syria...
07 November 2024
Caitlin Graham
One of the most popular holidays of the Christian calendar is indeed celebrated in Syria Many people...
18 Helpful Tips to Rememb...
29 October 2017
Gareth Johnson
Planning a big trip with your pets We put together a list of twenty helpful tips to remember when traveling with your dogsIfyoure like 85 million other families in the USyou have at least one dog in your household These furry palsnbspare yourbest friends your life companionsBecause of that you probably want to take them everywhere you go including on vacation But you might not knownbspwhat you need to ensure their safety and comfort and are worried you may not be wellprepared for an upcoming tripIfyoure traveling with your dogs soon here arenbsp18 helpful tips toremember1nbspResearch VetsIfyou already know where youre going and what stops youre going to makeresearch a few vets who are on the way Emergencies with your dogs may happenso you want to be prepared just in caseWritedown all the pertinent information and store it somewhere safe and easy toaccess2 Get a Clean Bill of HealthThisis especially important if your dogs are on the older frailer sideItsunderstandable that you want to bring your pooches on trips with you butsometimes its just not feasible Make sure they get thorough exams before youconsider bringing them with youIfthey arent in the best of conditions it may be best to leave them home with asitter instead3 Research Airline PoliciesAreyou taking a flight Then make sure to read up on their flight policiesregarding dogsEvenif youre sure of what their policies are you should also call them up Thingscan change so its good to get verbal confirmation from a staff member beforeyour trip4 Research Your HotelsIfyoure making multiple stops you need to ensure the hotels youve booked arepetfriendly You can really hit some snags in your plans if you plan to staysomewhere that doesnt allow dogs so make sure you do your research early onDontplan on winging it when it comes to accommodations Although spontaneity can befun for some trips its not worth the hassle when youre bringing yourpooches5 Bring All Their Important PapersGatherall your dogs medical records IDs and other important documentation Thebest place to keep all these papers is in a large Ziploc bag Not only are allthe important documents in one place but theyre also waterproof in case anyaccidents happen6nbspPack a SqueegeeNothis isnt for cleaning up liquid messes from your pets It actually has areally great use picking up dog hair from carpets and upholsteryAllyou have to do is run this small tool over the carpet or upholstery and itllpick up all the hair for you Plus its very compact so you wont need togive up much space to pack it7nbspGet a Convenient Pet TravelCarrierThepet accessories market is huge considering how much people like to pampertheir pets One thing you should consider before going on a trip is getting apet travel carrierThenormal ones allow you to put your dogs in a cratelike structure but there aremany more that enable you to bring your pets along easily For instance thereare carriers made like backpacks Or there are some you can roll around onwheels8nbspTry a Short Trip FirstIfyour dogs have never been in the car before then its not ideal to bring themon a long road tripYouneed to make sure theyre comfortable with being in a car especially for longdurations Take them out when you run errands to see how they tolerate itStartsmall then gradually increase the lengths of your trips so they know being ina vehicle is no big deal This will decrease the chance of them kicking up afuss when you go on your actual road trip9nbspTire out Your DogsIfyour pooches are the type to get very anxious and restless during trips youmay want to tire them out for the road tripInthe days leading up to your journey take them out for extra exercise When thebig day arrives theyll be too pooped out to make a fuss Theyll either bevery complacent andor sleepy which means youll have an easier time10nbspBring Their Favorite ItemsThecar can be a somewhat unfamiliar place especially when compared to your homeYou can help your dogs feel more comfortable by bringing their favorite itemssuch as a blanket or toyPutthese things in the car first so when you bring them in their scents alreadyin the vehicle Then once they get in they can find comfort in their favoriteitems11nbspPack Some Baking SodaBakingsoda is handy for a number of things that can happen on a road tripAspill An accident from an overly filled bladder A bee stingBakingsoda can take care of it allJustpour some over the affected area for all 3 situations For the first 2 thebaking soda will get rid of both the stains and smells For the last scenarioit can help with swelling and pain12nbspBring a Box of NecessitiesWhenpacking for a trip it can get quite hectic You dont want to accidentallymiss out on throwing in something essential for your pupsTheymay not need a suitcase but allocating a small box for your dogs is a goodidea In it place their food medications treats toys water bowls waterbottles and poop bagsThatway everything you need for your canine friends can easily be found in oneplace13nbspPlan for Motion SicknessJust like with humans dogs can get motion sickness too To assist with this let your dogs get a window view since this can help them get their bearings and feel less nauseaPacksome chicken broth too Put a tiny bit in with their water it can have atherapeutic effect on your dogs just like it does on you when youre sickYoucan also ask your vet for some antinausea pills that are safe foryour dogs14nbspGet Car SeatsYoumay be tempted to let your pups roam free in the car you want them to stretchtheir legs after allButthis can be dangerous If you slam on the brakes for any reason they can goflying and really hurt themselvesThere are some dog car seats you can secure your dogs in Not only does this ensure their safety but yours as well You wont have to deal with random dogs crawling into your lap and whining for your attention while youre focused on drivingTo learn about the safest car seats for dogs click here 15 Be Within Your Dogs Lines ofSightYourdogs will need a clear line of sight to you Without it they can feel unsafeand insecure during the trip which may cause them to act outIfyour dogs are in car seats or carriers position it so they can see you whileyou drive If no ones in the passenger seat you can put them up there and petthem occasionally for reassurance16nbspTake Lots of BreaksItmay be annoying to take more breaks than planned but itll be all worth it forthe wellbeing of your pooches This is especially true if you have them in carseats or pet carriers for the entire journeyTakebreaks often so everyone can stretch their legs Take some laps around thepark throw a ball around and relieve yourselves before making the nextstretch of your journey17 Bring Some MultivitaminsBring some bottles of thebest dog vitaminsandpremium CBD for your petto keep your pooches happy healthy and energetic These are easy to feed them just give them one a day and itll help them with joint inflammation and protect against things like cell damage and anxietyItmay be a good idea to start them on these multivitamins before you leave Notonly will it improve their health in the long term but itll also get themused to it That way you wont experience difficulty feeding your dogmultivitamins while on the trip18nbspDont Leave Your Dogs Alonein the CarYoumight want to just pop inside a diner to eat a quick lunch but dont leaveyour dogs alone in the vehicle Depending on the temperatures outside they mayquickly become uncomfortable within an hour It can even be dangerous for theirhealthMakesure you bring some leashes so you can tie them up in the shade outside ofbuildings Leave a water bowl with them so they can drink whenever they needtoMake Traveling With Your Dogs aCinchWhenit comes to traveling with your dogs it should be no problem now that you knowsome of the best tipsThemost important thing is both you and your pooches are safe happy andcomfortable Know everyones limitations and dont push them By taking it easyand utilizing our tips youll be able to go anywhere with your precious dogsFormore travel tips please take a look at our other blog articles
Read More
The 3Dimensional Use of T...
05 July 2016
Alistair Riddell
A perk to working in North Korean tourismnbspis access to the fascinating literature of the DPRK Rarely read by foreigners or made available online wed like to share some Here is an unedited excerptnbsptaken from the book Anecdotes of Kim Jong Ils Life Part 1 2012 Foreign Languages Publishing House Pyongyang DPRKnbspOne March day in 1987 an official went to the office ofKim Jong Il bringing a document the latter had asked for Hefound Kim Jong Il writing Shortly after he entered the office thephone rang Motioning to the official to take a seat Kim Jong Iltold him to wait a moment After hanging up he asked the officialto read the document and resumed writingThe document was an important report on the internationalsituation So the official remained silent in his chair waiting forhim to finish writingIm all right Please read it he said to the official withoutlifting his eyesThe official stood up and started to read At one momentKim Jong I1 said that he had already known what he was beingtold and at another moment he asked the date of the informationanalyzing and assessing the various items of information He waswriting all the timeWriting a speech and analyzing a situation report are bothintellectually demanding It is next to impossible to write and talkabout different things at the same time especially when one isengaged in writing something important as Kim Jong Il was Yethe was writing a report on intensifying ideological educationRead more anecdotes Its Quite Strange Anecdotes of Kim Jong Il Profound Knowledge of Poultry Anecdotes of Kim Jong Il
Read More
Wait people celebrate Chr...
07 November 2024
Caitlin Graham
One of the most popular holidays of the Christian calendar is indeed celebrated in Syria Many people have the preconceived notion that because most of the Middle East has a muslim majority Christmas in Syria is not celebrated or even that Christians do not exist Christians are spread out throughout the Levant region and beyond from Palestine Lebanon Jordan Iraq and Syria Christmas in Syria is actually widely celebrated not just in christian communitiesEastern SyriansChristians in SyriaChristmas in SyriaDo you want to join us this Christmas in SyriaEastern SyriansIt is no surprise that the Levant region is important for the Christian faith The events of the bible are set within this region Thus there are still large communities of Christians in these regions even after the spread of Islam and presence of Judaism While always a minority religious group Christians have strong communities throughout the Middle EastThere are many places of important Christian significance in Syria that may not be well known The Umayyad Mosque while an Islamic Mosque is believed to be the burial place of John the Baptist Prophet Yahya In the Christina quarter of Damasus there is also the Saint Ananias House Ananias Church which is an underground church from the 5th or 6th century AD It is believed to be the place where Ananias baptized Paul the ApostleChristians in SyriaAfter the Syrian Civil War there are significantly less Christians in the country It is believed that prior to the war Christians made up 10 of the population Today it is estimated that they make up just 2 of the population Most Christians live in and around Damascus Aleppo Homs Hama Latakia and Hasaka provinces The following are the sects of Christianity in Syria Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch Maronite Church Assyrian Church of the East Syriac Orthodox Church Syriac Catholic Church Armenian Orthodox Church and Armenian Catholic Churches ProtestantWhile the Christian communities in Syria are dwindling there are still many events and celebrations for Christians in SyriaIn August there is the Marmarita Carnival which is a celebration of the Feast of the Virgin Mary held in the small community of Marmarita in the Homs countryside There is also the Feast of the Cross celebration in September that celebrates the finding of the original cross by Saint Helene and is held in Maaloula one of the most important towns in Syria for Syrian Orthodox ChristiansChristmas in SyriaThe weather is usually very cold in Syria in this period there are street lights and celebrations even Santa Claus can be found walking the streets of Damascus In the Christian quarter of the capital you can find many Churches buzzing with Christians celebrating their most important holiday You can find celebrations in the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus the Armenian Catholic Church the Zaitoun Church and many more Many Orthodox religions celebrate Christmas on January 6th but there is still a citywide buzz on December 25Christmas in Syria is perhaps surprisingly a big deal and symbols of Christmas can be found throughout all of Damascus You can find many locals Christian and not adorned in Santa hats and with bells Christmas trees are present and many people flock to the Qasaa neighborhood to celebrate as a communityLike many Western countries large masses are held in the city to celebrate on Christmas Eve In true traditional Syrian style you can listen to street music on Christmas day Of course no Syrian event would be complete without more food than you can eat and Christmas is no differentDo you want to join us this Christmas in SyriaWe have some spaces for our Christmas in Syria tour this yearhttpnewyoungpioneertourscomtourchristmasinsyriatourIf you cant make it this year check out our other Christian festival tourshttpnewyoungpioneertourscomtoursyriamarmaritacarnivaltourhttpnewyoungpioneertourscomtoursyriaseptembertourWe run many tours to Syria each year find a date that suits you herehttpnewyoungpioneertourscomsyriatours
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11 Incredible Facts About...
21 April 2021
Joel Vostok
Abakan is the name of the capital city of the Republic of Khakassia in Russia Situated between the Yenisei and Abakan Rivers Abakan is part of the Minusinsk Depression With a significant population for its location its home to over 160000 people and was built back in 1675 Throughout the years its had a fascinating and dark role in Russian history In this article were going to delve into 5 incredible facts about this little known Russian city situated near the borders of Kazakhstan and ChinaThe City Was Once Home to Ancient Chinese ExilesDuring WW2 Soviet workers came across ancient ruins beneath Abakan whilst constructing a new road Upon further digging they discovered it was an enormous Chinese palace from the Han Dynasty that would have once belonged to a high ranking Chinese citizen who oddly for the time was living far outside the borders of his homeland Being an expat just wasnt cool during the BC eraOver the years evidence gathered suggested that the palace once belonged to a Li Ling a Chinese general named Li Ling who had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Xiongnu in 99 BCE and subsequently defected However this has never been fully proven and the true owner of the palace remains undeterminedThe Khakassia Flag is Pretty CoolWe know the YPT crowds have a soft spot for all things about flags so a blog about Abakan wouldnt be complete without mentioning the flag of Khakasia that represents the city and the surrounding region Its made up of bluewhitered horizontal tricolour with a green vertical band on the hoist containing a traditional yellow sun device But the design isnt the cool thing about the Khakassia flagThe Khakassia flag was introduced to the republic when the USSR collapsed Youve probably noticed that the colour scheme on the flag is the same as the flag of Russia Interestingly this is outlawed in Russia However the Khakassia flag avoided any repercussions as it was implemented just before the law against using the Russian tricolour on internal flags was introduced But as a show of good faith they changed the color order in 2003 so it wasnt exactly the same as the Russian national flagOne Third of Abakan is Made up of Green AreasAbakan is one charming city and with over onethird of its total area comprised of green areas it is certainly no concrete jungle One of the most popular sites in the city is the Dream Gardens Topiary Art Park One unique aspect of this park is the bizarre variety of plant shapes that exist this is the result of a unique cropping technique invented by the parks creator Vasily Antropov The park also features one of the citys quirkiest attractionsAbakan is Home to a Replica Eiffel TowerIn the centre of the wonderful gardens of Abakan is one of the citys more bizarre attractions in the form of a 14meter replica of the Eiffel Tower Like many other strange things in Russia its pretty unclear how this ended up here but its a good replica nonetheless and adds a sense of weird charm to the cityIts got a kinda weird Lenin statueIts no secret that every town and city in Russia is home to its very own and often unique Lenin monument Abakan is no exception but I have to say their Lenin statue is a little bit weird His legs form a very odd pose that Ive never seen in a Lenin statue before and after working for YPT Ive seen my fair share So Ill affectionately remember this particular monument as the breakdancing LeninAbakan is Pretty Much Shaman CountryThese days most of the population of Abakan is Orthodox Christian But situated at the crossroads of China Mongolia and Kazakhstan shamanism still holds a lot of weight here See in Abakan and the wider Republic of Khakassia Shamanism has always held the spot of the oldest traditional religion in the area Today there are often festivals that take place in the city featuring mindbending displays of public exorcisms carried out by shamansKhakassia is Home to the Russian Valley of KingsA few clicks outside of Abakan is Russias very own Valley of Kings This consists of ancient burial mounds and megaliths This place is a truly impressive sight and very atmospheric Whats more Theyre guarded by the ancient Gates of Salbyk which according to local shamans are said to give you a significant vitality boost just by touching them Sign me upMany Lithuanian Rebels Were Condemned to Khakassia Through the 18th and 19th centuries there were four rebellions led against Russian by Lithuanian rebels Naturally those captured alive were in for a brutal punishment and banished to Abakan for a life of forced labour in nearby mines outside the city At the time the region was an unruly and godforsaken place These Lithuanians remained there throughout the Soviet Union and only began to move into the city after Stalins death So today there is a significant Lithuanian heritage in the cityKhakassia is Popular Amongst Russian Tourists as the Siberian SwitzerlandAbakan might be a pretty small place and out of the way but that doesnt stop a healthy number of Russian tourists flocking to it each year You see Abakan is locally referred to as Siberian Switzerland due to its abundance of both saltwater and freshwater lakes Said to hold ancient healing properties these lakes have since had various spas built around them to cater for domestic touristsAbakan Was Formerly Home to a Russian Airborne BrigadeUntil the mid1990s the 100th Air Assault Brigade of the Russian Airborne Troops was based in the city of Abakan Formed before the outbreak of WW2 Russias Airborne Brigade was once the biggest airborne force on earth until it was split amongst the newly independent postSoviet states after the collapse of the USSR Theyre an iconic site of the postSoviet sphere and can often be recognized by their baby blue airborne beret and their blue stripe vest known as a telnyashka in RussianThe Abakan Rifle and an Arms RaceThe facts in this list were in no particular order but when theres an Abakan rifle named after the city with a pretty cool backstory its naturally taking first place over the fake Eiffel Tower See Abakan was used to label a secret Soviet project that saw an arms race between the USSR and the United States This was known as Project Abakan that spawned the Abakan rifle otherwise known as the AK74In the wake of WW2 the Allies knew from combat experience that large amounts of firepower at short range had a better effect than longrange firepower In the postwar years theY opted for smaller calibre weapons to allow troops to carry the weight of more ammunition So during the Cold War the US and other NATO countries adopted the 556mm and the 762 rounds for their weapons Naturally the Soviets didnt want to miss outIn the year 74 the Soviets introduced their fittingly named AK74 that replaced the earlier AK47 Never one to be outdone by those cunning capitalists in the West they made sure the AK74 was a slightly smaller calibre at 545 But to improve the combat effectiveness of the weapon and keep up with the Americans they launched Project Abakan that saw various weapons designs trialed One of which was the Nikonov AN94 Abakan rifleIn 1997 after the collapse of the USSR the Abakan rifle was briefly adopted by the Russian army to replace AK74 rifles However the Abakan rifle wasnt cheap and Russia was rather strapped for cash at the time They soon fell out of love with the weapon and abandoned it Production ceased not long after and the Abakan rifle remains a deadly memento albeit an expensive one of the city in KhakassiaFor private Russian tours to Abakan and guided visits to Siberia check out our range of Soviet tours for inspiration and contact us for a quote today
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