Machboos, Souqs and Camel Racing in Doha, Qatar

Doha is the flourishing capital town of Qatar, the place you can expertise an intriguing combine of modern miracles and historic traditions. The sparkling skyline greeting arrivals vividly display the country’s wealth that saw Doha develop into a wonderful cosmopolitan metropolis, rendering the preceding modest fishing and pearl diving city unrecognisable.

Couple folks knew in which or what Qatar was, but now… everybody understands the lucky host of this year’s FIFA Planet Cup! Specially with it coming up in only a number of months! The pleasure is building and the travel plans are getting created for this specific party, which starts off on the 20 November 2022 and ends on the 18 December -practically a full month of gripping and skillful soccer for us all to spoil in!

In accordance to a regional Qatari I not long ago fulfilled, the Qataris are extremely mindful of the altering entire world, but they are quite very careful not to lose their culture and tradition and rather nurture their distinctive individuality. Therefore, they obtain by themselves with the ideal combine of West meets East.

A perfect instance of this is the ongoing use of falconry. Whilst there’s quite very little want of it in present day-working day Qatar, the tradition of obtaining a  trained, impressive falcon nonetheless life on. So do not be amazed to see guys and boys all over the metropolis carrying their prized falcons on their arms.

Katara Cultural Village is Qatar’s hub for culture and creativity, designed in a way to hark again to conventional daily life with its maze of alleyways and Pigeon Towers.

If you want to choose a step back into history and working experience gorgeous architecture and substantial assortment of artwork and artefacts, then the Museum of Islamic Art is the most effective location to visit. Right here you can can be transported through time from 14 generations back to fashionable times when viewing ceramics, manuscripts, metalworks, textiles and other great artwork items of the Islamic environment.

Even though it’s identified to be a desert, the state is filled with greenery, tall palm trees embellish many streets and there is also an big glistening ocean. In truth, La Corniche is a wonderful seafront promenade, stretching 7 km alongside the Doha Bay, presenting incredible views of the ocean and Doha’s skyline.

Your favourite Qatari delicacy?

If you have the opportunity, all visitors need to consider a number of Qatari dishes these types of as machboos, a fragrant yellow coloured rice dish, ordinarily served with lamb or goat. A different favourite is threed, which is a lamb stew with greens topped with crispy bread. As for desserts, legaymat (or legaimat) is a common Arabic sweet served with dibs (day syrup) or sugar syrup.  The dumplings in this recipe are a spouse and children favourite, specially for the duration of the thirty day period of Ramadan.

Which market you have to visit?

Souq Wagif, a energetic centuries-previous industry, is a will have to stop by when in Doha. This aged marketplace is stuffed with conventional outlets ranging from scented incense perfumes these kinds of as Dihn ilOud (in Arabian ‘oudh’) is hugely valued by perfumers for its sweet, woody, fragrant and complex scent. Also, in the Souq you will expertise conventional Qatari foods marketed at stalls. It is a fantastic location to come across antique items these kinds of as carpets, jewellery and scarves. Make confident to spoil oneself with winter season, handwoven shawls.

Ideal 360 degree watch?

Take a look at the revolving Three Sixty Cafe at the 300-metre-tall Torch tower for the best views in the city!

Enjoyment points?

If in Doha in the winter months, take part in our common sporting activities of camel racing and falconry. The Camel races are a superb way to see the youthful Qatari adult men put together their camels for the races – you are going to be astonished at the large adhering to this sport has. Falconry is also a serious passion in Qatar. Foremost up to the wintertime months, really do not be shocked to see many Qataris in the desert education their falcons to hunt. If you see them, make absolutely sure to cease as they will be pleased to clearly show you how falcons hunt their prey.

How a lot of times really should you spend here (preferably)?

As Qatar is small in dimension, it is proposed to commit all-around a 7 days in Doha preferably in the winter season months.