Beit Al Baraka Getaway

Site of the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine, Gadara was renowned in its time as a cultural centre. It was the home of several classical poets and philosophers, including Theodorus, founder of a rhetorical school in Rome, and was once called “a new Athens” by a poet. Perched on a splendid hilltop overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, Gadara is known today as Umm Qays, and boasts an impressive colonnaded street, a vaulted terrace, and the ruins of two theatres. You can take in the sights and then dine on the terrace of a fine restaurant with a breathtaking view.

Outdoorsy

Location : Umm Qais

Duration: 3 Days

Languages: English, Arabic

Difficulty: Easy

Min: 1 person

Max: 10 persons

What you’re going to do

Beit Al Baraka translates to “house of blessings”, sits in the heart of Umm Qais village. Guests will get a chance to experience real village life in this place overlooking views of the Ottoman village, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk Nature Reserve which can be seen on the roof garden.

Activities:

An experience for guests to stroll through the Beekeeping site with Yousef, the beekeeper. Yousef will introduce the guests to the queendom of bees and invite guests to look into the hives. Guests will visit the beekeeping site, hear an informational presentation, and interact with the hives themselves in a full beekeeping suit. Yousef also offers guests honey that changes taste depending on the time of year.
An ancient tradition spanning generations of weaving with banana leaves, palm leaves and straw. You will sit with local artisans, discover and possibly gain a knack for the intricate skills needed to weave a simple design. You will leave with the coaster that they have made and have the chance to buy from a wide selection of locally made baskets.
There are hundreds of wild plants that are essential to the area’s ecological diversity and of high medicinal value. One of which is, wild Za’atar (Origanum syriacum L) that has long been part of ancient civilizations food culture. Planting Za’atar in Umm Qais is of high conservation value, as the species in Jordan has been evaluated as nationally threatened due to intensive collection and destruction of its natural habitats caused by urbanization and cultural expansion.
Stone Masonry, an ancient Roman art, used for centuries for different art works and documentation purposes. Today, stone masonry with Roman tools has faded away in many cultures but remains one that requires high precision and technique.
You can get to visit the home of a local chef for an authentic experience with great farm to table dishes that represent Jordan and the northern region. The experience includes relaxing on Arabic cushions and share stories while they wait for the unique taste of northern Jordan. This food is all locally sourced and prepared fresh for the client’s arrival. Food products are also available for purchase.