Qatar

Best times to visit The best times to visit are Spring, Autumn and Winter where you can expect temperatures between 20-30 degrees which makes it comfortable for enjoying all the fabulous things to do here. Temperatures can reach high 40’s in the Summer, and although there are indoor attractions and a cool sea breeze, it can be too hot for some! Something to think about when planning your visit is a festival. One of the benefits of Qatar is the opportunity to experience a new culture and visiting during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, the breaking of Ramadan festival, can really add to your experience. National Day (18th December) is another great time to visit and experience the celebration of independence. If you enjoy nature and wildlife, April - September is when whale sharks can be seen to congregate around the North-east coast whilst between May and July baby sea turtles return to the sea at Fuwairit beach, one of their most popular breeding spots. Getting around Qatar Airways fly direct from the UK, and you will arrive in 7-8 hours. What is there to see and do? Qatar offers a huge range of things to enjoy on your holiday, whether you are looking for action and adventure, tradition and culture, a relaxing beach, shopping, luxurious accommodation or something totally unique. There is too much to list here, but some of my highlights for a trip to Qatar include… Doha – the capital city Visit the winding and cobbled streets and alleys of Souk Waqif, the oldest marketplace in Doha. Here you can visit traditional stalls selling everything from textiles to spices and perfume. The gold souk is also a must (gold isn’t taxed in Qatar!). You also have the opportunity to see falconry (a UNESCO listed activity here) and enjoy local coffee or freshly cooked traditional foods. If you want to enjoy a more modern shopping experience, head to the Mall of Qatar or Villaggio Mall. You can take a stroll along the Corniche area, a 7km seafront promenade and perhaps enjoy a traditional Dhow boat trip to see Doha from a different perspective. As a cosmopolitan city, Doha offers every dining experience, from local cuisine to international restaurants. You can choose to eat inside a souk at street-level, or on a roof-top luxury hotel overlooking the city (perhaps Vertigo on the 28th floor of The Banyan Tree!) Around Doha and nearby Head just outside Doha and you will find the Aspire Zone featuring the 3,2,1 sports museum and international stadia. You may also fancy a trip to the Villaggio Mall, featuring an indoor canal with gondola’s, an ice rink and theme park rides! Education City offers the chance to see Arabian horses at the Al Shaqab equestrian centre and the Museum of Modern Art amongst other cultural sites and mosque’s. The Pearl is a man-made island often referred to as the Arabian Riviera. The Pearl-Qatar is a fascinating man-made island best known for its hotels, charming cafés and restaurants, iconic marina and luxury boutiques – all best explored via a water taxi! Banana Island is located just off the coast and features a marina and amazing coral. This is the place to go for diving and water sports. If you fancy staying in an over-water villa whilst in Qatar, this is also the place for you! Perhaps you want to try Meryal waterpark at Qetaifan Island? If you love exhilarating water slides you will not be disappointed! Around 30 minutes from Qatar you will find Al Shahaniya racetrack. Camel racing is one of the oldest sports in the Arabian Gulf that has been revamped by robotic jockeys! Around the racetrack you can visit camel city to explore the stables and observe camels in training. The racetrack runs from October – February (winter months). A little further afield Head to the North and you will find a lush tropical environment and UNESCO listed Al Zubara archaeological site. Rent a Kayak from Purple Island to take a tour through the mangroves which is a ‘must-do’ for all visitors. Head to the South and you will find Khor Al Udaid, or the ‘Inland Sea’. This is one of the few places in the world where the sea meets the desert to create truly remarkable landscapes. You will find the sea changing colour (especially at high tide) and dunes making a unique humming sound as the wind passes through and over them. This area is best explored via an organised safari, with lots of activities including 4x4 dune bashing, dune buggies, camel rides and sand boarding to name a few…or if you are looking for something a little more relaxed maybe enjoy Bedouin-style hospitality with a barbecue banquet, karak tea and fireside shisha under a star filled sky (and look out for look out for onyx, turtles, flamingos, camels and dugongs!) Surrounded by the warm, tranquil waters of the Arabian Gulf, Qatar is a great place to find water sports. Katara beach is popular for kite surfing amongst other things. All are reachable from the capital Doha. It is best to book additional trips and tickets before you travel, especially during busier periods. Hotels and budgets Qatar really does offer something for every budget. There are lots of 5-star luxury hotels offering outstanding service, but with good value. You can find world-leading brands such as the Fairmont, Waldorf Astoria or Four Seasons at The Pearl (you may not want to leave their all-inclusive resort!). But there are also lots of other options available here which cater for all budgets, and this is not just a place for the wealthy. Great value family holidays are available here too. Stop-over programme And finally, a ‘did you know’! As part if it’s push to promote tourism and combined with it’s great location as a ‘midway point for those travelling further East on holiday to locations such as the Maldives, Singapore or Bali for example, Qatar have introduced the stop-over programme. Fly to your final destination indirect with a stop in Qatar where you can stay for as little as £11 per person per night in a 4- or 5-star hotel if you are transiting to another destination (Doha connects to over 160 destinations). Not only is this amazing value, but it breaks up long flights and travel itineraries, allowing you to experience a unique culture, extend your holiday with another amazing destination and arrive refreshed and relaxed. This is a really affordable way to enjoy a true twin-centre holiday. And so…what are you waiting for...if you would like to explore Qatar please get in touch and let me help build a tailor-made trip to remember!