Destination Doha, Qatar

Standing on the Corniche gazing out on to the Persian Gulf with dhows bobbing up and down on the shimmering water, I was surrounded by glass and steel skyscrapers. It was hard to imagine that Doha, in the 1950s, was a sleepy fishing port.

Its roots may go back thousands of years but today’s Doha has morphed into one of the most stylish cities in the Gulf. And it hasn't stopped as it gears itself up to being host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Regarded as one of the more traditional of the Gulf States, Qatar is now deemed to be the richest country in the world. Not bad for a small nation blanketed in desert that less than a century ago was one of the poorest in the area.

The Pearl
Courtesy of

Qatar Tourism Authority 

In 1939 oil reserves were discovered but could not be produced because of the Second World War. During the 1950s and 1960s the country prospered thanks to liquid gold. Oil soon overtook the pearl and fishing industries as its main source of revenue. The state also has one of the world’s biggest reserves of natural gas and petroleum. A relatively new country – Qatar gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 – it goes from strength to strength.

What surprised me was how much there was to do in Doha. I started my day at what is commonly known as the State Grand Mosque (Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque) the largest in Qatar. Named after the 18^th-century Muslim theologian, Imam Abdul Wahhab, it has 90 domes and 18 entrances and can hold up to 30,000 people. 

Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque

Not even 10 years old, it melds conventional Qatari architecture with the contemporary. Crisp, simplistic lines and a touch of extravagance. It is not hard to see why this standout building has become a landmark.

Non-Muslims can go inside the mosque except during prayer times. Women are asked to wear a scarf, tied tightly over their heads, and an abaya (a kind of cloak provided by the mosque). The lady who showed me round was warm and friendly. It was a fascinating experience.

Making carpets at Souq Waqif

Should you feel in need of spiritual guidance, Sheikh Abdulla Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center, near Souq Waqif, is the place to go. You can learn more about Islam and Qatari culture here. The building also works as a good marker so you do not get lost in this city.

Shopping is one of the favourite hobbies of the people of Doha. While you can find plenty of upscale, glitzy malls on a par with those in Dubai, Souq Waqif is the place where you will get a flavour of Qatari life, past and present. 

 Katara Cultural Village
Courtesy of

Qatar Tourism Authority

Qataris from all walks of life come to this place to buy spices, gold and cooking utensils among other things as they have for hundreds of years. The souq has now been given a makeover in keeping with centuries-old design and is still continuing to grow.

You can wander here for ages. The maze of souqs are full of narrow alleys lined with small stalls showcasing a range of goods from gold jewellery to fabrics, handicrafts, scented oils and spices. It is a great place to hone your bartering skills. 

The Corniche

Not to be missed is the Falcon Souq. These birds of prey, I was told, are prized by the Qataris. Falconry is a sport that is ingrained into the country’s history. The majority of men own one of the birds. 

After the souqs have exhausted you, refuel and soak up the atmosphere at one of the many authentic cafés and restaurants dotted around.

Not far from here is the stunning Museum of Islamic Art designed by designed the Chinese American architect, IM Pei, whose works include the Louvre’s glass pyramid.

If trawling round a museum to see what is said to be the world’s largest collection of Islamic art is not your thing, at least treat your eyes to this spectacular white Cubist gem that majestically rises from its own island.

Doha at sunset
(Aerial view)

The most exclusive address in town is the perfectly manicured Pearl-Qatar. Built on a man-made island occupying almost four million square metres, it is in a world of its own. 

This so-called Arabian Riviera is home to stunning apartment blocks, international five-star hotels and superb entertainment venues. Fringed with yacht-lined marinas, waterfront promenades awash with cafés and restaurants and, of course, designer stores, it gives a new meaning to the word luxurious. In case you are tempted to move in, it is the only place in Qatar where foreigners can buy property.

If old Arabic customs, art and theatre fascinate you, Katara Cultural Village should be on your itinerary. Modelled on long-established Qatari style, this impressive complex is a labyrinth of passages aligned with galleries, theatres (the Katara Opera House is here) and a handicraft souq. There is even a beach where you can participate in watersports as well as an array of eateries.

Melding the cutting-edge with heritage, Qatar is a dynamic nirvana in the desert. From dune bashing to camel racing to being a foodie’s heaven and a shoppers’ paradise while dishing up plenty for culture buffs, hospitable Qatar was so much more intriguing than I could have dreamed.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Fly with Qatar Airways. I flew business class and cannot rate this airline highly enough. For best rates visit qatarairways.com Qatar has flights from Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham as well as Heathrow. There are also flights from Cardiff to Doha

Stay at Shangri-La Hotel Doha (shangri-la.com/doha). Great service and made my short stay memorable

For more information on Qatar visit visitqatar.qa  

 

Flying Business Class with Qatar Airways

Flying Business Class with Qatar Airways is like being in a 5-star hotel in the sky. It is glamorous and what flying should be about. 

Normally, when an airline blows its own trumpet (on the company’s website, it says: “The World's Best Business Class, designed for you”,) you wonder whether you might be disappointed. Having been extremely underwhelmed with British Airways Business Class from London to Seoul, I did not want to get my hopes up too high. I need not have worried. Qatar and its new Qsuites fulfilled every promise. In fact the experience was even better than I could possibly have imagined. 

Qatar Airways QSuites

My first flight was on the airline's Airbus A330-300 from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Doha, Qatar’s capital city. From the moment I got on board the crew made me feel special. I had no sooner sat down in my roomy pod when a stewardess introduced herself and said she would be looking after me on the flight. I was asked if I would like a glass of champagne before take-off which I willing accepted. 

After handing me a rather tempting menu, (you can eat when you want and what you want) she explained how the entertainment system worked, including the free wi-fi. She also showed me how to manoeuvre the seat into different positions, from flat to upright. There is a universal power plug and USB port should you need to charge any of your appliances. There was a bottle of water in one of the storage recesses which was a nice touch.

The crew seem to anticipate your needs. After discovering that I was staying in Doha, my stewardess wrote down a list of things to see and do in the city without me asking.

I was also presented with a set of PJs from the White Company as well as a Giorgio Armani cosmetic purse filled with a large tube of his Sì Body Lotion and a small bottle of the matching fragrance.

After take-off I watched a movie on my large touch-screen TV monitor while decadently enjoying a glass of Lanson rosé champagne accompanied by a bowl of scrumptious mixed hot nuts.

For dinner I finally chose a prawn salad to start followed by salmon. The food was delicious. (I was still hungry after my meal with BA Business Class and had to have a sandwich an hour later. Qatar also offered far more choice.) 

Qatar Airways QSuites

Beautifully served, course by course, it was just like being in a high-quality restaurant. The wine list was extensive so no problem in finding one or two great numbers to savour including a rather good Chablis Premier Cru. For pudding I opted for the fresh fruit platter, again a good-sized portion. I also had a plate of berries before I landed.

A feature that I particularly liked was the LED mood-lighting which helps passengers cope better with time differences. All I had to do was relax. The bed was so comfortable that I actually slept. (I find it difficult to sleep on planes.) The lighting must have worked because I certainly did not feel jaded at all when I arrived in Doha despite it being in the middle of the night.

At Hamad International Airport, Doha, the Business Class Lounge was on two floors, the upper being a restaurant where there was a lovely buffet, which was always being replenished, and a superb bar. There are also showers in the lounge should you need to freshen up. Despite its size it was soothing and peaceful.

From Doha, I boarded the Boeing 787-8 in trepidation thinking that the second time maybe disappointing. I need not have worried. Same excellent service by another multicultural professional crew. The Dreamliner has improved air-quality so again I did not get that jetlagged feeling when I got off the plane.

The Business Class cabin has been cleverly designed with the overhead lockers being recessed to make it feel spacious. 

This time I did not get a sleep suit from the White Company as the flight was slightly shorter but I did get a super bright yellow cosmetic purse from Bric’s, the Italian luxury luggage brand, which was filled with a mask, socks and goodies from Rituals.

Qatar Airways makes flying a pleasure. Just what the sophisticated traveller wants. The only problem, Qatar, is that you have spoilt me for travelling with any other airline.

By Daralyn Danns

For best rates visit qatarairways.com Qatar also has flights from Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham as well as Heathrow. There are now flights from Cardiff to Doha