Joanna James
From swanky hotels to doses of culture, to your own pet falcon, Qatar has got all the makings of a dream holiday destination.
The beautiful, vast and numerous malls in Qatar will make sure that your feet never rest. They come equipped with the finest brands for the whole family to shop from and their very own Carrefour where you can easily spend hours getting distracted by the home appliances, clothing and food. Their malls also come with the best-known names in the food industry, from Taco Bell to Dunkin Donuts, to Nando's, to make sure that you never shop on an empty stomach.
When you fly into Hamad International Airport, look over to the east and see the Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, venture out to the town, see the cityscape and then take a desert safari you know that you have chosen one amazing place for a holiday. Desert safaris are all the rage in the Middle Eastern countries and Qatar is no exception. Take a 4x4 out into the desert and race through sand mountains and sand dunes, see a few camels and sleep under the starry night sky in an authentic Bedouin-style tent to really experience the Middle East.
Qatar is not just about the wonders of the interiors of their buildings, but about the exteriors as well. The whole city of Doha seems to be adorned with beautiful architecture buildings to give you a little dive into the authentic Islamic architecture, but also show off their modern, futuristic designs. The Museum of Islamic Art which reminds visitors of a sand castle and the National Museum of Qatar which reeks of sophistication bear ample testimony to this fact.
Amidst all the modernity of Doha, sits a quaint little area called the Souq Waqif, which means standing market in Arabic. Get lost in the maze of little shops that offer you a wide variety of items to choose from and cuisines from all over the world. Explore the culture of over 250 years interwoven into the alleys of the souq.
Doha's scenic waterfront which offers you seven kilometres of horseshoe-shaped promenade gives you the perfect view of the beautiful city skyline. The magnificent blue waters welcome you to take a cruise down the Corniche on a traditional boat known as the "Dhow". Most of the Doha hotels are speckled around this area and you would have no difficulty in hopping over almost every day to enjoy the waterfront.
Doha is not just about its scenic beauty or the exclusive shopping. The city also offers a wide variety of other entertainment activities. While you may be able to enjoy horse racing all over the world, camel racing is not that easily come by, unless you're in Doha. If you're in the mood to party, however, Doha also offers exciting nightlife, with pubs, clubs and bars for you to mingle with tourists and locals alike. While you're there, you may even be able to purchase a pet falcon for yourself, if it tickles your fancy.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
