Why Qatar is the next hot destination on the tourist map!

Qatar in the midst of an immense spurt of economic growth is emerging as a unique tourist destination. This small desert peninsular has a varied landscape from limestone crops in the north to the magnificent white sand dunes in the south. The harmonious blend of deeply rooted tradition and culture with modern ideas is what makes Qatar such a vibrant and unique experience.

The pulse of Qatar is it’s capital city Doha. Whether you loose yourself in the rich colours and delicate aromas of exotic spices, shishas and perfumes in quaint shops at the traditional Souq Waqif or stroll along the spectacular crescent shaped Corniche and dhow harbour you’ll find this city holds many surprises. The distinctive high rises viewed from across the bay give you an insight into the mushrooming economy of Qatar. A visit to the Museum of Islamic Art designed by world renowned architect I.M. Pei, lends understainding to the culture that surrounds you in Doha. The expansive malls and souqs offer boundless shopping opportunities with unique treasures to remember your visit.

A drive through old historical towns with ancient seaports, caves etched with prehistoric stone carvings and forts unique to Arabian architecture bearing scars of battles won give you a glimpse into a rich past - the essence of modern Qatar.

With 700 km of coastline, Qatar is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf etched with beautiful coral reefs perfect for diving and fishing. The Mangrove Island, a great place to see migrating birds and flamingos seeking shelter in a natural lagoon and conservation projects around Qatar with deer , the Arabian Oryx and Camels in their natural habitat, are a real treat for the nature hungry. A trip to the equestrian club within Doha city is a great opportunity to see the distinguished collection of Arabian Horses.

There aren't many places in the world, where you can ski in the sand! In the north you can find stony deserts, while sand dunes can be found in the south, close to the Saudi border. Don't miss the limestone outcrops at Bir Zekreet (a tiny village in the West, near Dukhan) and the sand dunes south of Mesaieed.

The desert is what Qatar does best. If you don’t fancy camping overnight, at the very least take a half-day tour across the dunes. The drivers are incredibly talented (and slightly mad) and drive you across the steepest sand dunes at breakneck speed. Not necessarily for the faint-hearted, it is however a unique experience that should not be missed. True sandy desert, where tour guides will take you on a rollercoaster ride up and down the dunes in four-wheel-drive cars, pushing your adrenaline output to a all-time high. If you stay overnight there are facilities offering Bedouin tents strewn with persian carpets and the traditional majlis evoking Qatar's nomadic roots.

It is this combination of the living past and the vibrant present, which makes Qatar a stimulating and intriguing place to visit and explore.

The land of tradition and modernity - Qatar

Qatar, a small desert peninsular in the Arabian Gulf, is a harmonious blend of deeply rooted tradition and rapid modernization. From its unusual limestone crops sprinkling the beaches in the North, to the magnificent white sand dunes meeting the sea in the South, this is a striking land of contrast.

Nowhere is this more evident than Qatar’s Capital city of Doha. Once a relatively quiet seaport, this city has come a long way since the oil boom of the 1970’s. Amid large malls flaunting the latest trends are the traditional souqs, vibrant with colours, aromas of exotic spices and perfumes wafting in its alleyways. The palm-lined Corniche, a seven kilometer promenade, with traditional Arabian Dhows moored at its jetty, leads to the impressive sky rises towering over the bay.

Away from the bustle of the city the North and West of Qatar are studded with historical towns and ancient seaports. There are caves etched with prehistoric stone carvings and even Shark teeth over fifty million years old. The many forts around Qatar unique to Arabian architecture bear scars of battles won and lost. These and more give you a glimpse into Qatar’s rich past; it’s treasured culture and traditions.

With 700 kms of coastline, Qatar is surrounded by pristine beaches and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, strewn with beautiful coral reefs, perfect for diving and fishing. The Mangrove Island, a haven for migrating birds and flamingos and conservation projects with deer and the Arabian Oryx, as well as Camels in their natural habitat, are a real treat for the nature hungry. A trip to the Equestrian Club within Doha city is a great opportunity to see a distinguished collection of Arabian Horses.

No visit to Qatar is complete without a trip to its glorious desert. If you don’t fancy camping overnight, at the very least a half-day tour on an exciting roller-coaster ride over grand white dunes will get your adrenalin pumping. The Bedouin style camp around a fire with a barbeque and traditional coffee leaves you with a cultural experience only intensified by the famed Arabian hospitality.

Explore Qatar and live the adventure of a truly remarkable experience.

Expat Life in Qatar | Explore Qatar

Qatar has a large expatriate community, and the government and its people go to great lengths to make their guests feel at home. Moreover, as the various national groups have sought to maintain their national identities, Qatar has become a wonderful kaleidoscope of heritage, traditions, and people. In this diversity lies Qatar’s most beautiful gift to young residents - the opportunity to grow up in a peaceful, tolerant multi-cultural environment giving them an international perspective.

As with any place you hope to call home, Doha will be exactly what you make of it. But there are plenty of options and opportunities to ensure that your stay will be enjoyable. There are numerous speciality restaurants all over the city, from small establishments featuring ethnic flavour to the finest five-star elegance show casing gastronomic trends.

There are many city wide cultural festivals with bright lights, fireworks, and special displays or activities which accompany the two celebrations of the Muslim Eid holidays. Community groups such as Reach Out to Asia also sponsor events focused on health and wellbeing such as this past spring’s Heals and Wheels; a day long focus on physical activity for young children. The sports stadiums (soccer, tennis, track and field) which dot the city host a variety of competitions and virtually every event is free, or tickets are sold for a minimal entrance fee, featuring world renowned athletes competing for top prizes.

Movie theatres in Qatar showing international cinema, luxury hotels with a variety of dining options, shopping malls with brand names and children’s play areas, as well as ice skating rinks, fishing expeditions, clubs for every interest, international music shows and influenced desert lands all wait to test your curiosity. Indeed, nature lovers can drive ten minutes beyond the city limits and be entirely engulfed in a world seemingly untouched by human hands.

Learning Arabic

Part of immersing oneself in a culture is related to language. When it comes to Arabic, however, keep in mind that there are several dialects and depending on the country, vocabulary usage can differ widely. In the Arabian Gulf area, khaleeji, is the nickname for the regional accent which varies considerably from classical Arabic and has many words and phrases unique in usage to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Those who want to study can find seasonal short courses tailor made at Bertliz, or community education courses at the various educational institutions. A number of private tutors are also available, at rates between QR 60 – QR 100 per hour.

Places of worship

Non Muslims in Qatar are free to worship other religions, providing it is within their own place of worship. As a sign of respect, symbols and other relics are not displayed outside the premises. The Qatari Government recently granted a plot of land to the following Churches for worship; The Anglican Church, Egyptian Coptics Church, The Greek Orthodox Church, the Interdenomination Church of India (IDCC) and the Catholic Church.