OVERVIEW

Cruise Doha’s sparkling bay aboard a traditional dhow sailboat, enjoying views of Qatar’s capital and its stunning landmarks, which are clustered around the seaside Doha Corniche. After driving to a nearby harbor, you’ll board a wooden dhow, an Arab sailboat traditionally designed with triangular sails, teak or coconut wood masts and hulls made of extremely durable mahogany or African ekki wood. Although your dhow will be a modern version of the ancient two-mast design, you’ll appreciate that it reflects the authenticity of the originals, which are still used today throughout the Middle East. For approximately two hours, glide along Doha’s crescent-shaped bay, rejoicing in first-rate views of the Corniche’s promenade, which is lined with modern skyscrapers, luxury hotels and cultural attractions such as the Qatar National Theater. You’ll marvel at the Museum of Islamic Arts, a beautifully stark, geometrically shaped building whose design by world-renowned architect I. M. Pei stands alone on an island in the bay. As you sail along, enjoy a variety of Middle Eastern snacks such as falafel sandwiches and fatayer, a flavorful pastry often filled with spinach, and ponder the wondrous miracle of this glorious city rising from the desert sands.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Embark on a dhow, a traditional Arab sailing vessel typically crafted with robust wood such as mahogany.
• Journey along the waters of Doha’s bay, a perfect vantage point from which to absorb the city’s eye-catching skyline.
• Behold sleek skyscrapers, cultural institutions and world-class hotels lining the Doha Corniche promenade.
• Refresh on board with Middle Eastern bites, perhaps falafel sandwiches or a delectable spinach pastry called fatayer.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an enlightening look at attractions that showcase Qatar’s quest for new knowledge and reverence for the emirate’s past. A drive through Education City will reveal the depth of Qatar’s commitment to higher education as some of the world’s leading universities have opened branch campuses there. It is also home to the Qatar National Library, a technology park and start-up incubators that help students develop their ideas for future businesses. At the nearby Al Shaqab equestrian center, you will discover how it preserves and perpetuates the Arabian horse breed. Be sure to notice that the building’s design is horseshoe-shaped. Afterwards, you will browse the Faisal Museum, a private collection of peculiar and historical artifacts, many of which the sheikh gathered himself. The pieces date from the Jurassic Age through modern times and include hundreds of hand-woven carpets, classic automobiles, Islamic art, exquisite jewelry and seemingly endless displays of swords and weaponry.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Discover Qatar’s commitment to higher education at the aptly named Education City.
• See how the Al Shaqab equestrian center breeds and honors the revered Arabian horse.
• Browse rare and historical artifacts from four continents in the Faisal Museum.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive along the waterfront of Doha with stops to browse two museums that best represent Qatar’s creative spirit. While traveling along the four-mile corniche that rims Doha Bay, you will enjoy spectacular views of the offshore islands and the ultra-modern high-rises overlooking the bay. It is only natural that the National Museum of Qatar is in Doha, the country’s capital. One of its most extraordinary pieces is the Pearl Carpet of Baroda, a hand-embroidered work of art embellished with precious jewels and two million pearls from the Persian Gulf. Completed in 1865, it was intended to adorn the Prophet Muhammad’s tomb, but the Maharajah of Baroda died before he could donate it. You will likely find the collections within the Museum of Islamic Art even more eclectic, as they highlight glass, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and manuscripts. The Qur’ans on display date to the 7th century with the Abbasid Blue Qur’an being the most famous.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Browse the extraordinary collections in the National Museum of Qatar.
• Admire the eclectic works of art in the Museum of Islamic Art.
• Take in the sights on a panoramic drive along the corniche that follows Doha Bay.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Bridge Doha’s past and present on this superb excursion to a bustling marketplace and the Katara Cultural Village, and drive past many of Doha’s landmarks. Begin at the Old Souq, which has evolved from a weekend market for Bedouin nomads into a modern bazaar that still appears centuries old. Meander through the maze of shops, a mesmerizing cacophony of colors, sounds and smells, and catch the whiff of aromatic herbs, the sight of falcons on sale and the animated haggling of vendors and shoppers. After your guided tour, enjoy free time to browse the wares, which include enticing Arab clothing and jewelry. Walk through the Souq Underpass to Msheireb Downtown & Msheireb Downtown Tram Tour and drive to Katara Cultural Village and visit Mosques, Amphitheater, Street Art Installations. As a leisurely finale, settle in for a panoramic drive through Doha, taking in sights such as Qatar University, the Doha Golf Club, Al Jazeera’s headquarters and The Pearl-Qatar, a series of manmade islands just offshore that are home to luxury residences, hotels, shops and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Soak up the stimulating atmosphere of Doha’s Old Souq, a modern evolution of an ancient Bedouin market.
• Appreciate time on your own shopping for jewelry, Arabic clothing and much more, perhaps seeing falcons on display.
• Drive to Katara Cultural Village and visit Mosques, Amphitheater, Street Art Installations.
• Examine the museum’s collection of notable works of Islamic art created over 13 centuries.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive around Doha with stops at attractions that reflect the cultural heritage of Qatar. As you follow the waterfront Corniche, you will pause to snap photos of the skyscrapers in the West Bay district and the traditional wooden dhows moored in their own harbor. It will be quite the contrast. An interior visit of the Qatar State Grand Mosque will reveal how it seamlessly blends tradition with modern life. Inside the sandstone building, which features a simple but graceful design, you will find prayer halls, special areas for memorizing the Quran and space for 30,000 worshippers. The emirate’s largest mosque, it is open to everyone regardless of their religious affiliation. Souq Waqif also attracts large crowds. They come to browse the market for gold jewelry, fine fashions, woven goods and most anything else imaginable. The aroma of freshly ground spices will enhance your experience there.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Drive through Doha and pause for photos of attractions that define the capital city.
• Tour Qatar’s largest mosque, where all are welcome regardless of their religion.
• Browse the shops in Souq Waqif, which holds an unimaginable array of merchandise.
• Transfer to Hamad International Airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore Qatar’s spectacular desert dunes and Khor Al Adaid, or Inland Sea, during this exhilarating ride via off-road vehicle. After a scenic drive south along the coast, you’ll arrive at the Sealine Beach Resort, where an off-road vehicle and its expert driver await. Notice that some air is let out of the tires, which enables the vehicle to drive smoothly over the soft sand of the magnificent dunes. You’ll delight in your thrilling jaunt, which affords panoramic views of the desert’s undulating landscape and glittering Khor Al Adaid, an extraordinary body of water that emerges from the arid setting like an unexpected mirage. Appreciate a number of stops at key sites along the way, perfect opportunities to take memorable photos of the remarkable scenery and glean interesting facts about the surroundings from your informative guide. You’re sure to always remember your foray into the bewitching desert wilderness of Qatar.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Skim over the desert sands of Qatar in an expertly piloted off-road vehicle.
• Gaze in awe at a seemingly endless landscape of gently sloping dunes.
• Wonder at Khor Al Adaid, or Inland Sea, an expanse of water that contrasts dramatically with the barren desert.
• Benefit from your guide’s wealth of knowledge during several photo stops.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

View two sides of Doha – the old and the new – from two vastly different perspectives – on land and by sea. For a broad understanding of the lifestyle in the capital city, you will visit the Katara Cultural Village, an entertainment center that blends tradition with modernism. You will see Doha’s future beautifully expressed at the Pearl Qatar, a collection of luxury residences, hotels and shops on a massive island created with reclaimed land. The focus will turn to traditional ways at Souq Waqif, the city’s oldest marketplace. While meandering through the labyrinthine bazaar, you will find most everything imaginable for sale. A walk along the seaside Corniche promenade will present Doha in yet another light as you will see the skyline reflected on the water. For the ultimate view of the urban landscape, you will cruise Doha Bay in a dhow, a type of wooden sailboat that has been used for centuries.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Gain an understanding of Doha’s past and present on a panoramic drive through the city.
• Stop at modern landmarks such as the Pearl Qatar and Katara Cultural Village.
• Walk through Doha’s oldest marketplace and along the seaside Corniche promenade.
• Admire Doha’s modern skyline while cruising Doha Bay in a traditional dhow.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.