What is a Souk and Where Did it Originate?

A souq was originally an open-air marketplace. Historically, souqs were held outside cities at locations where incoming caravans stopped and merchants displayed their goods for sale. Souqs were formed whenever a caravan or caravans arrived. Since this might be infrequent, souqs often extended beyond buying and selling goods to include major festivals involving various cultural and social activities. Any Arab Souq may serve a social function as being a place for people to meet in, in addition to its commercial function.

Later, due to the importance of marketplaces and the growth of cities, the major locations of souqs shifted to urban centers.

In tribal areas, neutrality from tribal conflicts was usually declared for the period of operation of a souk to permit the unhampered exchange of surplus goods.

The spelling souk entered European languages probably through French during the French occupation of the Arab countries Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia in the 19th and 20th centuries. Thus, the word “souk” most likely refers to Arabic/North African traditional markets. Other spellings of this word involving the letter “Q” (sooq, souq…) were likely developed using English and thus refer to Western Asian/Arab traditional markets, as British colonialism was present there during the 19th and 20th centuries. In Modern Standard Arabic the term al-sooq refers to markets in both the physical sense and the abstract economic sense (e.g., an Arabic-speaker would speak of the sooq in the old city as well as the sooq for oil, and would call the concept of the free market السوق الحرّ as-sūq al-ḥurr).

As in markets generally, prices are commonly set by bargaining between buyers and sellers.

The term is often used to designate the market in any Western Asian city, but may also be used in Western cities, particularly those with a Muslim community.

Top winter destinations in Europe

Christmas markets, Germany & Austria

December sees these romantic historic markets pop up all over Germany and other Central European nations. Expect cute stalls selling everything from gingerbread to sleigh bells and plenty of good cheer, toasted with a glass of warming glühwein.

Athens, Greece

It’s a real downer trying to Photoshop 500 people out of your would-be-prizewinning Parthenon photo, but in winter it’s not an issue. All summer stresses – crowding, tourist pricing, intense heat, queues, air pollution – more or less disappear. It’s the best time to explore the country’s ancient heritage and get to experience local culture.

Copenhagen, Denmark

For fairytale European winter, it’s hard to beat the home of Hans Christian Andersen. Forget the over-hyped Little Mermaid and head to the city’s cosy bars and cafes to watch snow flurrying outside. In the heart of town, the 19th-century Tivoli amusement park is a romantic, kitsch delight around Christmastime, with heartwarming illuminations and body-warming mugs of glögg.

Budapest, Hungary

Couples skating hand-in-hand, breath cloudy in the frosty air – there’s nowhere better for it than the Hungarian capital’s picturesque central park Városligeti Műjégpálya, with its enormous outdoor rink. Feeling chilly afterwards? Budapest is famous for its ornate thermal baths.

Venice, Italy

Hauntingly beautiful and rather weird, Venice’s Carnevale in February is a European highlight. Elaborate costumes and spooky masks bring the canal city’s colourful history to life. Costumed dances are pricey affairs, but you can have a ball enjoying the free events with a mask bought on the street, but be prepared for epic crowding.

Bed and Breakfast Surrey is nestled away on a peaceful farm set in the foothills in Surrey, West Sussex border. Your hosts will greet you with a warm welcome and show you to one of the large double bedrooms and you will soon feel at home.

Bed and Breakfast West Sussex has beautiful walks, bicycle trails and bird life, whilst set in the countryside it’s conveniently located near to some cosy pubs and shops.

Order a delicious home cooked evening meal to arrive ‘home’ to after a day of adventure in the countryside. After the meal you are welcome to sit by a roaring fire with a book or a drink before retiring for the night.

Wellington Arch

Au sud de la célèbre site d’attraction de Londres appelé Hyde Park est un arc triomphal appelé l’Arc de Wellington également connu à l’Arc Constitution ou l’Arc de Green Park . Initialement surmonté d’ une statue équestre du duc de Wellington , puis remplacé par l’idée originale de la sculpture de « quadrige » , l’arche a été construite entre 1826-1830 à une conception par Decimus Burton . Pour commémorer les victoires des guerres napoléoniennes l’Arc de Wellington avec le marbre a été planifiée en 1825 par George VI . Une pièce intéressante à votre carnet de Voyage , Appartements à louer à proximité de London Eye peut vous recommander un programme de visites intrigante Londres pour l’histoire riche halte -s , donc location de vacances à londres vous propose de visiter Hyde Park , Hyde Park Corner , la station de métro Hyde Park Corner , la très célèbre scène de film de Marble Arch et Appartements à louer à proximité de Buckingham Palace .

Locations vacances londres sera un divertissement Appartements à louer à proximité du British Museum qui peuvent vous fournir les meilleures données de voyage de couture à vos envies de voyage . Pas comme nous au Holiday Lets London fournir cinq étoiles de haute spécification Appartements à louer à proximité de Tower Bridge de Londres, nous sommes équipés pour rendre votre séjour à Londres succulent complet pour l’expérience de Voyage demandeur .

L’arc est creux et occupe un petit poste de police à l’intérieur jusqu’à 1992. Une fois la propriété a été transférée à English Heritage en 1999, la voûte était ouvert au public pour la visualisation et dispose de trois étages d’expositions et les détails de la décision de l’arc avec son histoire et utilise . Chaque année il ya une moyenne de trois appels d’urgence à la London Fire Brigade déclarant il ya un incendie à l’ Arche de Wellington comme il est vu de la fumée – la moitié des fonctions de l’arbre comme un arbre de ventilation sur le réseau du métro de Londres . N’importe quel visiteur peut monter sur les deux terrasses latérales de la voûte . En 1846, l’Arc de Wellington a été couronnée par une statue équestre de 40 tonnes jamais fait d’Arthur Wellesley , qui fut le premier duc de Wellington , soldat et le Premier ministre . La statue de Wellington a été réalisé par Mathew Cotes Wyatt . Le 40 tonnes statue équestre d’Arthur Wellesley a reçu tout un nombre de controverses et de réinstallation a été envisagée, mais a été rebutés par ordre de la reine , car il serait insultant pour le duc d’où la statue se fier pour toute la durée du duc . Pour des travaux d’élargissement régime en 1882-3 de la statue a été déplacée à son emplacement actuel dans Hyde Park . Une grande partie de l’ornementation destinée externe de la voûte a été omise que beaucoup d’argent a été injecté dans la rénovation du palais de Buckingham .

Locations de vacances Londres vous recommande de visiter l’Arc de Wellington en visitant le Green Park ou la Chambre d’Apsley , que la tournée prendra une heure minimum et est une attraction pas cher . Beaucoup de ceux qui ont visité l’Arc de Wellington ont beaucoup à dire au sujet de la vue depuis les terrasses et le personnel sympathique .

Londres est une attraction touristique intéressante et on peut trouver de divertissement quelle que soit la durée du séjour est . Pour accompagner votre séjour passionnant livre une spécification de haut hébergement indépendant chic dans la zone la plus sûre de locations vacances londres centre. Le studio de vacances Londres fournies par Locations de vacances Londres fera de votre séjour à Londres le plus utile.

Wellington Arch

To the south of the famous London attraction site called Hyde Park is a triumphant arch called the Wellington Arch also known at the Constitution Arch or the Green Park Arch. Initially topped with an equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington then replaced with the original idea of sculpture of ‘quadriga’, the arch was built between 1826 to 1830 to a design by Decimus Burton. To commemorate the victories of the Napoleon Wars the Wellington Arch along with the Marble was planned in 1825 by George VI. An interesting piece to your travel journal, Flats for rent near London Eye can recommend you an intriguing London sightseeing agenda for history rich stop over-s, therefore Holiday Lets London suggests you to visit Hyde Park, Hyde Park Corner, Hyde Park Corner tube station, the very famous movie scene Marble Arch and Flats for rent near Buckingham Palace.

Holiday Lets London will be one entertaining Flats for rent near British Museum that can provide you the best travel details tailoring to your travel cravings. Not like we at Holiday Lets London provide five star high specification Flats for rent near Tower Bridge London we are equipped to make your stay in London suculently full for the travel experience seeker.

The arch is hollow and housed a small police station inside until 1992. Once the ownership was transferred to English Heritage in 1999 the arch was open to public for viewing and has three floors of exhibits and details of the making of the arch along with its history and uses. Annually there is an average of three emergency calls to the London Fire Brigade stating there is a fire at the Wellington Arch as there is smoke seen – one half of the shaft functions as a ventilation shaft to the London Underground network. Any visitor can step up onto the both side terraces of the arch. In 1846 the Wellington Arch was crowned with a 40 ton equestrian statue ever made of Arthur Wellesley, who was the first Duke of Wellington, soldier and Prime Minister. The Wellington statue was done by Mathew Cotes Wyatt. The 40 ton equestrian statue of Arthur Wellesley received quite an amount of controversy and relocation was considered but was put off by order of the Queen as it would be insulting to the Duke hence the statue stood proud for the entire lifetime of the Duke. For a road widening scheme in 1882-3 the statue was moved to its present location in Hyde Park. Much of the arch’s intended external ornamentation was omitted as a lot of money was pumped into refurbishment of Buckingham Palace.

Holiday Lets London recommends you to visit the Wellington Arch while visiting the Green Park or the Apsley House, as the tour would take a minimum hour and is a cheap attraction. Many who have visited the Wellington Arch have a lot to say about the views from the terraces and the friendly staff.

London is an interesting tourist attraction and one can find entertainment regardless of how long the stay is. To accompany your exciting stay book a classy high specification self catering accommodation in the safest area of London at Holiday Lets London. The London holiday studio provided by Holiday Lets London will make your stay in London the most worthwhile.

Escape the city and explore some of the countryside…. Spend the weekend on a picturesque farm, breathe in the fresh air, relax and unwind in the peaceful surrounds of bed and breakfast Itchingfold, bed and breakfast Bucks Green, bed and breakfast Ellens Green, bed and breakfast Ewhurst, bed and breakfast Cranleigh

Situated near Hurst Hill the location is conveniently situated near Godalming and Cranleigh and 5 minutes to Dunsfold Park.

Click here for more information on bed and breakfast Godalming,  bed and breakfast Milford, bed and breakfast Witley, bed and breakfast Chiddingfold,bed and breakfast Haslemere,  bed and breakfast Sussex, bed and breakfast Surrey, bed and breakfast Surrey/Sussex border

Beautiful and tranquil tucked on a farm about 1 and a half miles from the Hurst Hill village centre within easy access of the beautiful Godalming and Cranleigh and 5 minutes drive from Dunsfold Park.

This spacious, upmarket and warm ‘home from home’ bed and breakfast Dunsfold, bed and breakfast Aldford,  bed and breakfast Allfold Crossways is the perfect place to relax and unwind and escape the busy city life.

Breathe in the fresh air whilst walking through the unspoilt leafy area or cycle through the woods.

Click here for more information on this stunning bed and breakfast Loxwood, bed and breakfast Iford, bed and breakfast Round Street Common

Holiday Lets London studios are located at Iffley Road, London W6 0PD in the exclusive, safe and fashionable Brackenbury Village area of Hammersmith. Conveniently situated in Zone 2 the studios offer close access to four tube lines.

You are just 5 minutes walk away from Goldhawk Road tube station on the Hammersmith and City Line. Hammersmith with the Piccadilly and District Lines, or Shepherd’s Bush on the Central Line are a mere 10 minutes walk. If you are flying, Heathrow is an easy 45 minute journey on the Piccadilly Line. For more details on Hammersmith and surrounding areas please click here.

The building has a security door entry phone for all 10 studios. Each self-contained studio is ideal for one or two people, with a private kitchenette, toilet and shower and is fully furnished. There is a TV with satellite, cable or Freeview, plus a video/DVD/CD player, as well as a telephone point and Free unlimited wi-fi connection.

For more information click on short term accommodation London

Les studios de Holiday Lets London se situent au 95 Iffley Road, Londres W6 0PD, dans le quartier chic, tranquille et à la mode de Brackenbury Village, non loin d’ Hammersmith, l’endroit idéal pour votre location de vacances à londres. Idéalement situés dans la Zone 2, les studios permettent d’accéder rapidement à quatre lignes de métro.

Vous êtes à seulement 5 minutes de marche de la station de métro Goldhawk Road sur la Ligne Hammersmith and City. Hammersmith avec les Lignes Piccadilly et District, ou Shepherd’s Bush sur la Ligne Central, se trouvent à seulement 10 minutes de marche. Si vous venez en avion et utilisez l’aéroport d’Heathrow, le trajet ne prend que 45 minutes sur la ligne Piccadilly. Pour plus de renseignements sur Hammersmith et ses alentours, veuillez cliquer ici.

Le bâtiment est doté d’une porte de sécurité avec interphone pour les 10 studios. Chaque studio indépendant est entièrement meublé et est idéal pour une ou deux personnes, avec une kitchenette, des toilettes et une douche privées. Il y a une TV avec le satellite, le câble ou Freeview, ainsi qu’un lecteur vidéo/DVD/CD, un raccordement téléphone et une connexion WiFi illimitée gratuite.

Click here to view all of our reviews

Flat 2 (Ground Floor) – Iffley Road, London, W6 0PD – click here to book Holiday Lets London and take advantage of this fantastic deal

LAST MINUTE DISCOUNT: GET 20% OFF RENTAL – BOOK, PAY AND OCCUPY THE APARTMENT WITHIN 3 DAYS

20%  OFF – Rent!
If you occupy this week