Tag: Doha

Things to know about Doha

Qatar is the land of the wealthy. It has shown steady and steep economic growth in the past few years and its citizens have more purchasing power than those of the United States or the United Kingdom. The country has investments all over the world, it owns Harrods and the Olympic village site in London along with the largest number of shares in Sainsbury’s and it even co-owns Miramax films!
Doha, the capital itself is on the move, climbing its way to the very top. Heavily invested in construction and development, this city is set to become one of the leading cities in the Persian Gulf region. Doha International Airport, home base of Qatar Airways, is becoming a major transit hub as the national carrier grows its network and connects Qatar with the world. Visitors to the city come for a taste of the affluent lifestyle and the luxury hotels in Doha do not disappoint. The epitome of such an experience would be an island getaway with access provided exclusively by yacht or private helicopter, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara promises precisely this and much more if you choose to stay with them.
Furthermore, the destination of extremes awaits! Head to the giant dunes for some adrenaline pumping action sports; learn about the country’s art and culture by touring the many museums and historic sites, like eighteen century Fort Zubara; or shop to your heart’s content at swankiest of malls, one of which is designed to look like Venice, complete with a long canal offering gondola rides! Food of every kind and cuisine imaginable is readily available but alcohol is restricted in many restaurants and can only be found in hotels which are linked to the international chains.

 

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

Google+

Things to Do in Doha

The bustling city of Doha is an engrossing metropolis to explore, offering a host of attractions for the visitor. When it comes to selecting Doha hotels an alluring choice would be the Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara. This appealing resort offers many attractions for the modern traveller.

Doha is a vibrant city that provides an array of interesting things to do for the visitor. Shopping is a major local highlight, with both modern and traditional shopping opportunities on offer. You will find a selection of splendid modern malls, including such attractions as the vast Doha City Centre Mall and the Villaggio Mall with its classy Italian theme. On the other hand the traditional marketplaces offer a very different experience featuring bargains in the form of gold, jewellery, textiles, spices and more.

Naturally no visit to this city would be complete without taking the time to appreciate its distinctive culture and heritage. You will find numerous sightseeing attractions such as towers and forts in the environs of the city. Visitors will have the opportunity to view many traditional handicraft creations at the impressive Doha Fort. Another highlight is the Al Zubara Fort and Museum where you will find a host of interesting artefacts and antiques showcasing the history of the city. Not to be missed are the various museums where you will find an array of exquisite Islamic art.

Visitors should also undoubtedly take the opportunity to take a cruise on a traditional dhow sailing vessel. As you sail to the city’s Corniche you will be able to enjoy a sensational view of the splendid high-rise skyline. Another not-to-be-missed experience is the chance to go on a desert safari in the vast sandy expanses bordering the city. You will be able to undertake dune bashing in four wheel drive vehicles and obtain an understanding of the lifestyle of the nomadic Bedouins. With so much to see and experience a visit to Doha will always be memorable.

 

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

Google+

Enjoy Arabian Adventure Tours

Arab is known for bringing heaps of memorable experiences with its striking contrasts and unique surprises. If seeking a hotel in Doha give Millennium Hotel Doha a try, as a Doha hotel of this calibre always ensures a delightful stay. If you intend to make the most of your holiday be it a solo adventure or family getaway, Arabian adventure tours are a must try. The tours will include a camel ride along the dramatic sand dunes. Savour exotic regional cuisine as the dusk sets in. Desert camping is also an option during when you will be entertained by the performance of a belly dancer as you feast on traditional delicacies.

 

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

Google+

Sailing in Doha

Traveller to Doha has a plethora of must try activities. It is essential to find an ideally located Doha Qatar hotel such as Kingsgate Hotel Doha, an exemplary hotel Doha has to offer. Sailing is considered to be one of the world’s oldest sports. Now you can indulge in this exciting leisure activity when in Doha. Additionally you also have the options of rowing, windsurfing, kayaking and kite-boarding which said to be a surface water sport in which you will use a board with foot-straps and a large controllable kite that propels you and the board across the water. Whatever the sport you choose to indulge in be sure to apply sunscreen and wear a pair of sunglasses and a hat, since it is usually quite sunny in the region.

Roaming the Sands

Having seen it in the movies or in other people’s home videos, having a desert adventure to boast about is a must on a trip to Doha. If time is short adventurers can opt for an evening desert safari with a barbeque under the stars thrown or stay in a tented camp overnight to truly have a great adventure experience.

Adventurers venture out usually in convoys, 45 km south of Doha to enjoy the thrills of the desert. Dune bashing in a speeding 4×4 up and down the dunes and across a barren landscape littered with rocks and scrub is most people’s first introduction to the desert as well as the beginning of their Doha desert adventure. To anyone who thought that a desert was just a flat sandy area this is a good eye opener as the 4×4 races up steep dune crests and the next instant plunges down leaving a fluttery feeling in the stomach. Experienced and skilful drivers who wish to have a go at dune bashing can try it after a bit of practice. For those whose sense of adventure is tied up with action, sand boarding down the dunes, quad biking, riding twin seater buggies around dunes and trekking are other ways to enhance their experiences of the surroundings. Besides this, strange things happen in the desert outside Doha. Greyhound racing is one of them. Getting an expensive sports car bashed about in a rally and playing golf in the sand are other extraordinary experiences.

No desert adventure is complete without visiting a desert camp where the vastness and the solitude of the desert can be experienced underneath a star studded sky. In this case a camp by the Arabian Gulf. Interestingly this location is one of only two places in the world where sand dunes are found close to an expanse of water. Sitting on rugs around a campfire in the evening getting introduced to Arabic food and music and relaxing with a shisha afterward are essential parts of the Doha adventure experience. A camel ride before dinner where a reluctant beast has to be prodded to take up riders is an interesting diversion. Swaying atop the animal one can begin to understand the manner in which vast sandy spaces were traversed all those years ago. A horse ride over the dunes early in the mornings before the heat sets in or later in the evening is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and vastness of the desert.

Stay in one of the best locations in the city at Ascott Doha in close proximity to important commercial, business and entertainment destinations. Offering well designed studio, one, two bedroom and three bedroom apartments equipped with all conveniences desired by modern travellers, these Doha serviced apartments are the ideal living spaces for individuals, couples and families. When visiting the city choose these serviced apartments Doha to experience a relaxing stay where all needs are met.

Aladdin’s kingdom

Established in 1994 to promote Arabian culture through a fun and entertaining medium, the Kingdom of Aladdin amusement park enthralls park-goers of all ages and cultural backgrounds. Make this theme park part of your “to-do” list on a fun day out for the whole family as part of a stay at one of the stylish Doha serviced apartments in the heart of the city, such as the Ascott Doha. Situated near easy transport links, you’ve got the city in the palm of your hand to explore from one of the most elegant serviced apartments in Doha. Explorers of all ages are sure to love the mystical Kingdom of Aladdin theme park, also known as the “Family Fun Park of 1,001 Delights”, and also “Entertainment City”. Enjoy some fun rides such as the Ferris Wheel and Carousel for the younger crowd, and exciting bumper cars and go-karts for those looking for a little more action. Take a leap of faith on the trampoline, try your hand at air hockey, and challenge your best high scores at the video game arcade.  Budding artists will love bringing their imaginations to life on paper at the Print and Stamp section that allows a kid’s inner artist to bloom into fruition. Several restaurants located onsite will add a much-needed dose of fuel in between attractions. Be sure to call ahead before you visit, as some days are set aside for women and children below 12 years only, other days just for single men and boys above 12 years old, with the rest of the week set aside for the entire family.  With daily costume parades that allow ample photo opportunities, an amphitheatre that puts on the most fantastic shows, and a fireworks show to look forward to, the memories you make at The Kingdom of Aladdin theme park are sure to be cherished for a lifetime.

Water Sports Activities in Doha

For those of you in revel in the outdoors, a day out on the coastline of Doha would certainly be a fun-filled treat. The warm weather coupled with the clear blue waters of the ocean is perfect for a bit water sports. The facilities provide beginners with an opportunity to learn the finer points of their preferred activity. However select the Copthorne Hotel Doha which is seen as one of the finest hotels in Doha for the best of comforts. The surrounding atmosphere is unmatched and visitors consider it as amongst the best hotels Doha has to offer.

Practice the art of kitesurfing or take time to engage in some sailing that will take you out across the Arabian Gulf. Be enthralled by the countless species of marine life that inhabit these waters as you dive below and explore well protected reefs.

Camel Racing

Watch fascinated as these seemingly awkward creatures battle each other to the finishing line in clouds of dust. Book yourself a Doha hotel to escape the desert heat but be sure to reserve a hotel in Doha that is located in the middle of all the action so as not to miss out on the action. Millennium Hotel Doha is a preferred hotel among many who come to this past of the world to witness this magnificent race. Known as the ship of the desert, camels are glorious creatures known for their strength and endurance in the many hardships faced in these barren lands. Racing these animals, indispensable to the desert lives is a favourite sport among these desert dwellers usually held on weekend mornings and on public holidays, much to the joy of camel racing enthusiasts who trickle in from all regions to take part in this hullabaloo of grunts, dust and throngs of excited people.

 

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

Google+

 

Water sports in Doha

Doha, the Qatari capital is a sizzling oasis in the middle of the Arabian Desert that provides ample opportunities to cool down and have some fun in the sun at the same time. Visitors to this intriguing city would do well to invest in one of excellent serviced apartments near city centre Doha Mall as this would situate guests close to fine dining and entertainment in the heart of the city. The Ascott Doha is one such example of fine Doha serviced apartments that provide luxury service in the midst of stylish interiors for a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience in the desert. To cool down in the arid desert heat, there are several fun options for the whole family. The Diplomatic club offers visitors the change to try out water skiing, wake boarding and banana boat rides for the kids, who love the latter especially. The Diplomatic Club also offers visitors the opportunity to try their hand at fishing, as well as offering leisure boat rides with a variety of distance options and times. Ro nautical Middle East will treat anglers to upscale fishing, as their boats are outfitted with rods, GPS and an onboard refrigerator in case you get a little nippy out at sea. Or, venture out to the high seas for a spot of sailing with the Doha Sailing Club, which will provide lessons, training and races, for the folks who prefer to look but not leap into the waters themselves. Adrenaline seekers should check out Ronautica Middle East’s options for kiteboarding for some extra spillage and thrillage on the Arabian seas! Or, just take a dip in the pool, but if you don’t quite know how to negotiate the waters, the Cabana Club offers swim lessons for both groups and one-on-one settings. So no matter what your water flavour, Doha dishes out an exciting array of experiences for you to get down and wet in the desert!

Fascinating Camel Racing at Al Shahaniya Racetrack

While horse races offer plenty of thrills, those looking for some truly unique racing fun should definitely look to take in a camel race at the Al Shahaniya Racetrack when in Doha. The racetrack can be found about a 30 minute drive outside of the city and visitors in search of a Doha hotel from which to begin their travels can stay at Millennium Hotel Doha. This hotel in Doha is also a great base from which to explore the city.

Blending the traditional excitement of camel racing with more modern advancements, the Al Shahaniya racetrack is a great place to witness the speed and agility of these normally sedate desert animals. One of the unique features here is the fact that human riders have been replaced by small robotic jockeys who are “dressed” in colourful clothing too! The Al Shahaniya racetrack has also been used to host the Camel Racing Festival. The final event of this famous festival is the “HH The Emir’s Main Race” where the winner will receive the coveted sword of HH the Emir.

 

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

Google+