Boasting a vibrant array of entertainment, a wealth of captivating architecture and a rich variety of charming cultural and historical attractions, Qatar ranks amongst the Middle East's biggest draws. Whether you're new to the country or are looking to experience something different on your next visit, here are some useful tips to help you plan your next visit.
The purpose-built new Fuwairit Kite Beach (FKB) an hour north of Doha has excellent kitesurfing conditions from its powder-soft sands thanks to consistent winds. A yoga studio, gym, pool and restaurants add to the mix. Meanwhile, the Outpost Al Barari is a unique resort of tented villas, close-to-nature experiences (including stargazing, hot-air ballooning and immersive desert walks) and sustainability within the Inland Sea nature reserve.
Elsewhere, Qetaifan Island North is Qatar’s first ‘entertainment island’, with floating hotels, beach clubs and a water park embracing The Icon Tower, an 85m slide that will be the highest of its kind in the world. And in Doha, the West Bay North Beach Project includes public and private beach areas and an array of drinking and dining.
The Losail International Circuit will welcome the F1 crews back to the Qatar Peninsula this year in October for the second Qatar Grand Prix . Experience the excitement and speed of the world's most prestigious motorsport, with long-sweeping corners and a variety of hairpins thrown into the mix.
Beyond the glamour and glitz of Doha, the desert beckons with activities including dune bashing in SUVs, with half-day tours available. Also exhilarating is a stand-up paddleboard trip through the mangroves of the Al Thakira natural reserve north of Doha with its herons, purple crabs and seasonal flamingo population. You can also take an organised day tour to Khor Al-Adaid, the Inland Sea, in southeast Qaar. This tidal river forms a unique lagoon system protected by UNESCO for its terns, ospreys and oryx.
Shopping is also brilliant in Doha - not least at Souq Waqif with its stalls purveying handmade gold jewellery, fabrics, fragrances, nuts and spices on a historic Bedouin market site. There are also vast malls with high-street shops and designer boutiques; Villaggio Mall stands out for its Italianate decor and even a canal with gondola rides.
If your Qatar stopover happens to include a Friday daytime, make sure to join in the local institution of the Friday brunch, which often includes the likes of sushi, ceviche, oysters, dim sum and cocktails.
With many families asking us where to go in 2024 and planning for the new adventures that the coming year will bring, we’ve shared the destinations we’ve seen trending recently and what there is to do in each with children of different ages. It’s never too early to think ahead when it comes to bagging the most desirable resorts or tours – or the best deals!
Celebrity's award-winning cruise ships blend cutting-edge technology with welcoming interiors and revolutionary venues. Its version of simple luxury means you can immerse yourself in new destinations and cultures without sacrificing style, comfort or fantastic drinking and dining for all moods, from casual to sophisticated, from sushi to Italian – served inside or outside under the starlit sky.
We’re excited to introduce Oceania’s new ship Vista, which launched earlier this year. Whether you’re already a fan of Oceania or are a newcomer to its fantastic offerings, we’ve looked at reasons to book your next cruise aboard Vista, from its imaginative new dining concepts to its dramatic signature spaces including all-veranda accommodation.