Doha, Qatar

During the time I was working in the Middle East my family and I had a holiday in Doha the capital of Qatar. During our taxi ride from Doha airport to our hotel our first impression was of the spectacular skyline of Doha dominated by the skyscrapers that are concentrated by and run along the West Bay area of the City. The waterfront is called the Corniche and curves for about 5 kms around the bay and is a popular place where people come to walk and enjoy the views of the bay and the city. You can watch the traditional Dhow fishing boat operating and many are tied up at Dhow harbour. At one end of the Corniche is the Museum of Islamic Art, not only is the building a stunning piece of architectural but the exhibits of art within are incredible and well worth a visit. At the other end of the Corniche is the Sheraton Hotel one of the first major hotel developments in Doha and still an iconic symbol of the city.

Doha is best enjoyed outside the summer months of May-September when temperatures can soar to up 50 degrees. Outside of these hot summer months Doha has a climate where temperatures are always warm ranging from 20-30 degrees during the day but cooling down over night. It very rarely rains in Doha perhaps 2 or 3 days a year. We were based at the Intercontinental Hotel one of the few places in the City where there is a beach. Our hotel was also located in close proximity to the Pearl. The Pearl is a Marina and luxury apartments complex with many upmarket boutiques and restaurants and is a pleasant way to wile away a day or evening strolling the marina or watching the entertainers who are dotted along it’s promenade.

Shopping in Doha is quite an experience and my recommendations are to firstly visit Souq Waqif in the centre of the city where you can wander through its maze of narrow alleyways full of shops and markets selling everything from jewellery and antique, clothing and spices. There is a tradition of falconry and the falcons can be observed sitting on there posts but don’t get too near. It’s a real assault to the senses and you will want to stop at one of the many outside coffee shops and restaurants for refreshments and where many partake of the shisha waterpipes smoking different flavoured tobacco through a hookah. The Fahar Islamic centre building is also located at Souq Wafiq which is an impressive sight with it’s swirl shape and minaret.

My other shopping experience recommendation is at the ultra modern Villagio Mall which is located in the Aspire tower zone of the city. As well as boasting all the brands you could expect in any major shopping mall in the UK it also has a Venetian theme and even gondolas that operate along the canal inside the shopping mall. Aspire zone boasts the Aspire Tower which at night is lit up with thousands of bulbs of different colours and sits in the main sports complex original built for the Asian games of 2006.

My final must do for your trip is to leave Doha and head for the desert on a Jeep safari where the experienced drivers take you “Dune bashing” in their 4X4 vehicles eventually arriving at an idyllic beach location where you can take a camel ride or take a refreshing dip in the ocean.