Doha, Qatar: Middle East luxury special

                           

Doha is the capital of Qatar which is located in the middle of the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Doha is a multicultural city, which has become home to many expatriate communities, from different origins. It is an important Cultural and commercial center which is well connected to the rest of the world through air and sea. The City Center provides entertainment by way of bowling alleys and ice skating rinks which are open to the public. The city has many sports complexes and offers many cultural facilities.

                           

Tourists to Doha can visit the sand dunes on a Desert Safari or take part in cruising and water sport activities, such as parasailing and windsurfing. The beach is located about 78 km from Doha. Other attractions in Doha are the Zoo and Park. Dhow Cruising is another popular sporting activating in Doha where wooden sailing boats, known as dhows, are used to cruise around the Corniche Bay up to the Palm Tree and several such islands.

                         

Doha Tourist Attractions

Souq Waqif Doha

                                

The original old Souq, popularly named the “Standing Market,” has been restored in 2004 with stone buildings, while retaining the original look with its narrow maze-like pathways to house the many shops that are a delight to tourists. As with other Souqs in Qatar, the Souq Wawif in Doha is famous for its dried spices and herbs. The smell of incense mingled with spice greets tourists when they enter this market area. Qatari traditional clothing as well as colourful Indian dresses adorns the shops. Many antiques and gift shops are available for tourists to haggle over and get the best bargains.

Many Shisha lounges and restaurants are available in this market which has become one of the main tourist destinations in Doha. The Souq also houses art galleries, concerts and workshops apart from selling traditional goods such as jewellery, perfumes, wool and traditional clothing. The best time to visit the Souq is late noon and early evening. The Waqif Arts Centre is located in the Souk.

                   

Islamic Museum of Art Doha

                      

This Museum is dedicated to focusing on the preservation and documentation of a collection that elaborates on the diversity and arts and information of the Islamic world and is a flagship project of his Highness Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. It is located at the south end of Doha Bay on the edge of the harbour. The Museum was officially opened in 2008.

This distinguished modern museum was built by the 90 year old Chinese American architect Leoh Min Pei on 64 acres of island space off the famous Corniche and is surrounded by a park. A library and study is also available at the Museum. The exterior is designed with modern geometry in mind. As you enter the building you see intricate shapes and images that emanate from the skylight. Tourists can use the golf cart type shuttle to take them to the lift at the museum entrance from the car park. It is necessary to be modestly covered to enter the building.

Khor Al Udeid Doha

                             

The Khor Al Udeid Beach is a major tourist attraction that is popularly nicknamed, “The Inland Sea”. The inviting waters of the Gulf are set against beautifully shaped dunes on this beach. In the day, the tide water advances onto the land to form an “internal sea” and by nightfall it recedes, giving a barren look to the dunes. The beach has to be accessed by a four wheel car and once there, tourists can swim, climb 50m high sand dunes or sand skate. It is advisable to visit this beach with expert drivers and guides who take you dune-bashing and perhaps let you enjoy the sunset with a camel ride.

The Beach, Khor Al-Udeid looks mystical as the waters cuts into the desert forming channels. Shoals of fish and turtles are swept in from the sea including many crustaceans. Toursits can spot different birds such as gulls, flamingos, cormorants and terns.

Palm Tree Island Qatar

                           

                                

                                           

                            

The Palm Tree Island can be accessed by a quick five minute boat-ride from the Corniche promenade. The Island was once a sand bar which is now filled with the beautiful clear turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf. Many events are conducted by the Doha Club such as swimming events, biathlon and various sporting activities which also include quad bike tracks, fairground and camel rides. Exquisite seafood can be sampled in the “Sea Food Market” along with the traditional Arabic Shisha which is famous in the Al Noukhata Seaview that offers terrace seating for tourists to relax and take in the dazzling views.

Swimming is enjoyed by families with little children who can take advantage of the shallow waters on the coast. The entrance fee does not include camel rides and other amusements. A dhow service is available at regular intervals of 10 minutes. This island has become a meeting place for corporates who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Qatar National Museum and Aquarium Doha

                                

The Qatar National Museum, which is located on the Corniche, was converted from a palace to an interesting building that displays Qatari architecture. It was the residence of Sheik Abdullah bin Qassim Al Thani. The building has beautiful arched facades and wooden ceilings which enhances the architectural beauty of the building when it is lit at night.

The National Museum and the Aquarium are located in the same premises. Many ethnological exhibits are displayed inside the Palace that gives tourists an insight into the history, archaeology, musical instruments and styles of dress in early times as well as modern times in Doha. The aquarium building has many types of fish and turtles. Here the exhibits are centered on the pearl industry, fishing and traditional dhow making. Differed breeds of fish include hamour, sharks and various types of crustaceans that abound in the Gulf waters. Six traditional dhows float in the lagoon that is located next to the Aquarium.

Doha Fort

                             

The Doha Fort was built during the Ottoman colonization in the 19th century. The fort is located on Jassim Bin Mohammed Street in the Al Bidda district of Doha. Apart from the splendid architecture, tourists are able to learn more about the history of Qatar here. The different types of craft activities that were carried out in early times such as weaving and woodcarving are displayed here together with modern oil paintings. The other exhibits that can be viewed here are the Bedouin Sadu, wooden ornaments, handcrafts and historical photos, which are informative and educative for the average traveller.

The building was once a defensive Moorish military barrack and then used as a jail in 1906. The various types of weapons that were used over the years in battle are still displayed here. Travellers can enjoy spending their leisure hours at the fort and relax near the fountains that are built outside the fort.

Things to do in Doha

                           

Shopping in Doha

                                  

Doha is a haven for tourists who find that shopping is not as expensive as Dubai. From Western ware to Qatari handicrafts and souvenirs, shopping malls and souqs are conveniently located in various locations in Qatar. Hyatt Mall, The Landmark Mall and The Mall are some of the malls that sell practical items such as quality Swiss watches and food stuff. Villaggio which is just across Hyatt Mall houses the latest designer fashion wear. An ice skating rink, cinema and food court is available at the premises. The Royal Plaza has 105 boutiques where you can get the latest in lingerie from France or the best Italian fashion and shoes and a range of designer perfumes.

Tourists head to the Souqs and enjoy haggling over traditional items such as spices, fabrics, jewellery and handicrafts. The Aghani Bazaar has some amazing souvenirs such as exquisite pottery items, brass coffee pots and jewellery. Shopping in these areas is ideally done in the late evenings when it is not so hot.

Doha City Tour

                            

Several tourist agencies offer a pick-up from the hotel to enable visitors to take a city tour around Doha with a tour guide pointing out the landmarks and explaining the various areas of interest. The drive could take you along the picturesque Corniche. Tourists can glimpse the old Dhow Harbor where the old traditional dhows are still in operation. The Camel and sheep market is an interesting halt along the way before they go to the Gold Souq, which is a hot spot attraction for visitors who wish to pick up some silver and gold handcrafted ornaments created by skilled artisans.

The City Tour takes you around the Aspire, which is the Asian Games stadium before proceeding to Villagio, where there are several shopping places and restaurants. The tour is not complete without a trip to the Old traditional Souq. Visitors can feast their eyes and senses with smells of herbs, spices and perfumes and enjoy the Shisha-Cafes that offer ethnic cuisine in the surrounding area.

Water Sports in Doha

                                    

Doha is an ideal destination for water sports enthusiasts who flock every year to enjoy the various activities available in the warm shallow waters of the Gulf. Jet-skiing, diving, water-skiing and sailing are some of the main water sports that are enjoyed in Doha practically throughout the year. Equipment may be purchased or rented and female learners are given separate lessons away from the general public view.

Scuba diving is available from two artificial reefs that have been built for tourists. Sunset trips on traditional dhows allow tourists to get a stunning view of Doha skyline at night. There are several beaches and swimming pools on Palm Tree Island where visitors can relax and cool down when the weather becomes unbearably hot. Fishing is another interesting trip that tourists can enjoy a full day. The other type of water sports available are trips using kayak, water cycle and pedal boats. All these can be rented to enjoy a few hours of fun.