Holidays with Downtown

Once a quiet peninsula lined with sleepy fishing villages, Qatar has remained relatively under the radar for years. After hitting oil in 1939, the country has spent the last few decades quietly investing its wealth in ambitious cultural projects like Education City, an academic initiative and the National Museum of Qatar. In recent years, Doha has exploded into an exciting cosmopolitan capital, while embracing its nomadic Bedouin beginnings.

Day 1: Doha

Meet at the airport arrival hall after immigration and custom control desk. Transfer from Airport to the hotel by chauffeur driven vehicle.

Day 2: Qatar (Souq & Cultural Village)

This morning, your guide will pick you up from the hotel to head to Souq Waqif for a walking tour of this charismatic place. See the Falcon Souq, the Gold Souq and the Spice Market. The, continue to the National Museum of Qatar, spanning a whopping 430,500 square feet, was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the National Museum of Qatar draws inspiration from and recreates the naturally occurring crystal formations known as the desert rose. Built around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani’s original palace, and the seat of government for 25 years, the museum gives voice to Qatar’s heritage whilst celebrating its future. Now, we drive to Katara Cultural Village, passing through the corniche and Dhow’s harbor. Bordered by a vast beach on one side, and the twin Katara Hills on the other, the village is Doha’s go-to destination for art, culture and cuisine. Visit the Katara Mosque with décor inspired by the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, the minaret, dome, and prayer niche (mihrab).  Next to the mosque, one can see the unmistakable pigeon towers – oblong structures with holes and perches for pigeons. The Gold Mosque is the second mosque in Katara covered with gold tiling, which glints in the sun. Facing the mosque, is the, classical Greek style amphitheater accommodating up to 5000 spectators, with stellar views of the sea on one side and the cultural village on the other.  The Force of Nature, an art installation depicting Mother Nature hurtling the world with a piece of cloth, stands between the amphitheater and the water, showing humanity’s powerlessness in the face of nature. Typical lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. [B]

Day 3: Doha (Architectural Tour)

After breakfast meet your guide for this morning’s tour of the phenomenal collection of modern buildings that constitute the city’s true signature. Head to Lusail and make photo stops at different architectural designs like Lusail Plaza, Stadium, Promenade Corniche, and Marina among others. Then, continue to the Fire Station Museum and Education City encompassing the Qatar National Convention Centre, Sidra Medicine, Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies. Return to Doha and stop for a typical lunch at a local restaurant. [B/L]

Note: Going inside the buildings requires special permit, so only outside photos are possible

Day 4: Doha (Desert & Sea Safari)

The morning is free to rest and relax or some shopping in the city. In the afternoon, your guide will drive you towards the south till end of tarmac road where you’ll stop for deflating the vehicle’s tires before entering the desert for a dunes’ bashing adventure and a visit to the Inland Sea, near to Saudi Arabia’s border, with a couple of photo-stops before arriving at the desert camp. Free time at the beach camp for swimming and other activities, until it’s time to enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner. Later in the evening, drive back to the hotel for overnight. [B/D]

Day 5: Doha

Free day for last minute shopping at the souq, relaxing or continue exploring on your own. [B]

Day 6: Doha, USA

Very early pick-up at the hotel for a drive to Doha’s international airport to board your flight back home.

[B] = Breakfast | [B/L] = Breakfast and Lunch | [B/D] = Breakfast and dinner