We did some work in this village years ago and fell in love. We quickly came back to set up tourism businesses with the local community to share this amazing place with you...our guest. Um Qais is a sleepy village with deep historical roots, one of the Decapolis cities of ancient Rome is located here; the village is also known for its incredible views of the Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee, and the rolling hills of the Yarmouk Nature Reserve. The local cuisine is also a must try! We renovated this building as our office and staff accommodation initially, but as the project developed and more people were brought onto run the project, Beit Al Baraka started to emerge. Bedroom 1 is located on the first floor of Beit Al Baraka, which consists out of three comfortable bedrooms, furnished with hand crafted beds, high quality bedding, and great views to wake up to (and sometimes a rooster alarm). There is a large common area with comfortable couches, a bookshelf with a wide selection of books and magazines, a fireplace and dining table. The apartment also has two shared bathrooms, which each have a shower. On the ground floor we also have a family room with ensuite bathroom, and two additional rooms that have a shared bathroom with shower, a communal kitchen, a seating area, and outdoor terrace. Breakfast is often served on the terrace under the grape vines and overlooking the garden and beyond. Our ground floor apartment and family room are ideal for young families or a group of friends. Beit Al Baraka also has a more than a few good relaxing and reading spots, particularly up on the roof, which has great views of the Ottoman village, the Golan Heights and the Yarmouk Nature Reserve. On a good day you can see Mount Hermon in Lebanon too! You'll be staying in the heart of the village, and a walking distance from the archaeological site as well as several experiences we offer our guests such as hiking, biking, beekeeping, basket weaving, and cooking classes. Let us know if you have any questions about any of the experiences...and be sure to confirm your spot at least 24 hours before arrival! Guests will have access to room one and the common areas. Safwan will be your point of contact in Um Qais, they're available to answer any questions or help with the planning of any activities during your stay. Ahmad and Safwan speak English and Arabic and are both from Um Qais. Our offices (Baraka Destinations, Um Qais) are located in Harra Foga, which can be found between the old mosque and the museum in the ruins. This office is one of the places where we can be found working on the development of community-based tourism projects. Do feel free to drop into the office for a coffee; our colleagues can also help create an itinerary full of local experiences (we can share more information about this in person). The Bed & Breakfast is a 2 minute walk from the Archeological site and visitor centre. You can view the Sea of Galilee and full panoramic views from our roof :) You're in the heart of the village so you may hear the neighbour's rooster in the morning, and sometimes in the evening. We're convinced it's jet lagged and haven't yet found a name for it, so feel free to help us with that one! **It's also important to note that there is no ATM machine in Um Qais. Please plan ahead and withdraw money before arriving to Um Qais. Everything is walking distance but if need be, transportation can be arranged for an extra charge. Baraka Destinations is run from our offices in Amman, which specialises in the work that we now do in Um Qais. Beit Al Baraka acts as the hub for services and activities that are offered in the surrounding community, which you'll have the opportunity to experience. We also have an office in Um Qais in the Harra Foga area, the complex between the museum and the mosque which can be seen from the roof. The Community offer activities such as: Cooking Classes: Northern Jordan has many unique dishes that are associated with northern Jordan. Visit a local chef at her home and uncover the secrets of cooking like a local Um Qasawi. Hiking: The Jordan Trail (a 650km trail crossing Jordan) begins/ends in Um Qais. We also have a total of other 9 hikes of various difficulties and views that you can pick from. Most are guided but we can recommend a self guided hike too. If you're up for it, my favourite thing to do here is join the locals in seasonal foraging followed by a trip to a local chef's kitchen for a cooking class. Cycling: Um Qais is a haven for experienced cyclists, as the hilly terrain, the quieter streets, and the beautiful views are a favourite of many resident and visiting cyclists. We have a total of 6 cycling routes that vary in difficulty. Weekend cyclists shouldn't worry, as we do have a route that is a flat as you can find in the mountainous area. You can rent bikes or join a guided bike tour with spectacular views of the Jordan valley, the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk Nature Reserve. Beekeeping: All our guests LOVE this unique experience. A trip to an apiary with a stunning view should be on everyone's itinerary, it's educational, great for kids, and a lot of fun, particularly in the 'space suits'. Basket weaving: Show off your artistic flare in a basket weaving class that's taught by a local artist. Intertwine banana leaves, palm leaves and reeds to create your own piece of art that you can take home. For more information please call.