Doha

Before this trip, we’d only ever visited Doha’s airport in-transit to another destination. But together with Qatar Airways, we were able to explore Qatar’s capital city for three whole days. Whilst I’d visited the Middle East years ago, I feel like this trip truly opened my eyes and this vibrant, new city took me complete by surprise. Learning about its past filled with pearls and its bright future thanks to oil, I really go to catch a quick glimpse into the traditions of Qatari people and where the country hopes to go. Here’s a few ideas of what to do in Doha. 

Just outside of the sprawling city with this glittering high-rise buildings lay the desert, its cascading dunes and the occasional permanent tents of people who still call this dry land home. From the mischievous glint in his eye and cheeky smile, I should’ve known that our Driver Sha would be quite a thrill-seeker and an absolutely crazy driver when unleashed upon the dunes. Sha told us he had been driving visitors through the dunes for 15 years and mostly did two tours per day. His son too formed a part of his company and showed off the thrilling side of the desert.

Next time I visit Doha I will definitely include an overnight stay at the Regency Sealine Camp positioned perfectly on the seaside in the desert with your very own tent of luxury for you and your family. We just popped into the camp after our desert safari for a BBQ, drinks beneath the desert sky and to relax in the seaside day beds.

Before entering the camp, we were invited to sit in the ‘majlis’, a greeting lounge of sorts and a place set aside for welcoming visitors with coffee and refreshments. A key element in traditional Arab hospitality where traveling strangers are always welcomed to share drinks and food ( which proves crucial and essential to survival in the desert’s harsh conditions).

Given the days in Doha are rather hot ( we got lucky with moderate temperatures in November), visiting the Souq in the evenings is preferable. We walked around through the Gold Souq filled with jewelry makers and other precious pieces, the handicraft soul with local artisans selling their wares, art galleries, cafes, spice souq heavily laden with every scent and spice under the sun and my least favourite- the pet souq. If you’re not keen on seeing animals ( of all kinds in cages in large proportions move in the opposite direction of the pet souq and rather busy yourself with the lamps, carpets, tea and other treasures. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as this market is unassumingly large and will take time to get through.

Kahwa

Calling all coffee lovers, this freshly ground coffee flavoured with cardmon is served in small cups without handles and should always be received with your right hand. Kahwa plays a great role in symbolizing the expression of welcome. The very shape of the pot ( resembling a little lamp) has become know to represent hospitality.

-Calligraphy

A very special art form from Qatar and other Islamic countries, this decorative penmanship often features passages from the Quran and can be found on paper, tiles, carpets, wall hangings and carved inscriptions.

-Al-Sadu

The ancient handicraft of Sadu is practiced by Qatari women who weave goat and camel hair to make traditional Bedouin tents, pillows and carpets with a nool ( a manual weaving device made of wood).-

I can honestly say that visiting the Katara village at sunset was the best time of day. You can spend an entire day visiting the art centre, music academy, fine arts society, photographic society as well as the Amphitheatre. The gold walls, sparkling colorful mosaic of tiles adorning the mosque, towers and building walls were enough to keep us in awe for ages.

Doha is abounding with museums to both showcase tremendous works of art as well as educate on past and future eras of Qatar. Two Museums I would definitely recommend include the Museum of Islamic Art to enjoy Calligraphy, figure in art, early Islamic art and a special exhibitions gallery as well as the Msheireb Museums including the slave lodge taking you through the long history of slavery in the Middle East and their tasks.

Discovering Qatar’s road to 2020 Soccer World Cup was such an exciting treat. We were able to see mini-versions of the 8 stadiums ( some of them completed) all with cooling systems, solar panels and best of all; modular construction so post-world cup they can be deconstructed and donated to disadvantaged countries in desperate need of sports arenas.

Dhow Cruise is really a brilliant way to see Doha from a different angle and a way to beat the city traffic. The cruise is approximately four hours and you can choose between a day one or a night one where your vessel will be all aglow with lights. Enjoy true bedouin tradition aboard and have the option of a BBQ too.

Doha has a diverse nightlife scene that promises plenty of excitement despite the ban on public drinking. Qatar’s capital may be famous for its ultra-modern skyscrapers and Islamic-inspired architectural masterpieces, but rooftop bars, historic shopping districts and even desert safaris promise plenty of excitement once the sun goes down.

Stroll around Qatar's best souq, drink a cocktail while the sun sets over the skyline or sit back with some friends and smoke a shisha when temperatures cool in the evening – your evenings in the capital can take on many forms. 

Hope this helped !!!