Qatar Travel & Culture

Jul 21
23:14

2023

Paddington

Paddington

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Located halfway along the western coast of the Arabian Gulf, the State of Qatar acts as a bridge between East and West welcoming visitors from around the world. At the crossroads of economic, cultural and natural heritage, the strategic location of the country has attracted visitors to the region for thousands of years. Spend 48 hours in Qatar and let the country's harmonious blend of Arabian culture with modern luxury and innovation carry you away.

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With sprawling dunes in the south,Qatar Travel & Culture Articles sandy coastlines and islets, reefs and salt flats, the small peninsular nation offers as much natural beauty as it does cultural richness. With its 560-km coastline, Qatar has always been a sea-dedicated community. From a center for fishing and pearling trades in the days gone by, Qatar's identity has been shaped by an age-old sea oriented civilization, hosting travelers as guests. Highlighting its authentic heritage and rich past, while instilling pride in its future, Qatar is a center of both tradition and innovation.

Blessed with natural resources, the discovery of oil in the 1940s and natural gas in the 1970s gave rise to Qatar's exponential economic growth since the days of fishing and pearling. Qatar's huge supply of natural gas is the world's third largest gas reserves and the largest non-associated gas field. After becoming the largest exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the world in 2006, Qatar's exports now cover three continents with one-third of exports going to the US, one-third to Europe and one-third to Asia. Economic diversification in recent years in the fields of construction and real estate investment, tourism and leisure, education and research as well as ample government support to minimize the impact of a global economic slowdown have resulted in the stability of Qatar's economy.

Today Qatar is leading a surge in interest in the Arabian Gulf. Although conveniently accessible by air on most international carriers, including the national carrier, the 5-star Qatar Airways, the unique atmosphere of Qatar makes it feel as though you are truly off the beaten path.

The emerging MICE destination

Reputed for quality and excellence, Qatar is recognized as a leading destination in the Gulf region for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) offering travelers a business-oriented destination combined with leisure activities. Qatar is a quiet place, far from bustling mass tourism, with all facilities and business opportunities at your fingertips.

In addition to the existing and spacious Doha Exhibitions Center, two new conference centers totaling an additional area of 95,000 sq. m. of exhibition space are scheduled to open in Qatar. The Qatar National Convention Centre, located in Doha's Education City, a hub for education, science and research, is scheduled to open in 2011 and will feature a 2,500-seat auditorium, a 500-seat theatre and a multi-purpose hall for conferences. In addition, 40,000 sq. m. of divisible exhibition space will be available to meet the demands of global conference and exhibition organizers.

The Doha Convention Center and Tower in the city center is scheduled to open in 2012, providing another first class exhibition venue for Qatar. The project's tower will reach 102 floors and provide a new icon for Doha's skyline. Adjacent to the Tower, the Convention Center will provide 45,000 sq. m. of showcase space.

The Qatar hospitality boom

Many of the world's top luxury hotels are represented in Qatar. To meet forecasted demand, hotel capacity will increase 400% to over 29,000 luxury rooms and apartments by 2012. Every five- and four-star hotel in Qatar is equipped with world-class conference facilities to cater to every type of meeting or conference event. The hotels' luxurious spas, resort amenities and variety of exceptional dining experiences, steeped in the Arabian tradition, offer a quiet and relaxing respite from the charged activities of the day.

A busy Qatar events calendar

There has never been a better time to visit Qatar. The calendar is packed with world-class cultural attractions, international sporting events and exciting activities for the whole family. Inspiring a new generation of filmmakers in the Gulf Region, the Tribeca Film Festival comes to Doha featuring a myriad of films, many written or directed by Middle Eastern filmmakers. The Waqif Art Center in the center of the authentic Souq Waqif plays host to many local and regional art exhibitions. The spacious Doha Exhibitions Center is the venue for many acclaimed regional and international trade fairs including the popular annual Jewelry and Watches Exhibition and the Doha Trade Fair. For sports enthusiasts, Qatar is host to more than 100 sports events including many world championship events such as the Sony/Ericcson WTA Championship and Qatar ExxonMobil Open Men's Championship, the Commericalbank Qatar Masters Golf Tournament, the Moto GrandPrix and the Speed Boat Racing World Championship.

Doha, alive with attractions

No trip to Qatar would be complete without experiencing the country's year-round attractions. The capital city of Doha is home to the I.M.Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art, which boasts one of the largest and finest collections of pieces from one of the world's great civilizations. For those looking for a truly genuine Arabian experience, the vast deserts of Qatar promise adventure through camel back safaris, exhilarating rides along the dunes and wonderful nights beneath the stars. Shoppers can delightfully get lost in the authentically preserved Arabian souqs while discovering local treasures. Upscale shopping in the city's contemporary shopping malls, and along the piazza in the newly opened Pearl-Qatar development, offer a wide range of well-known luxury brands and goods in a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. The sprawling

ASPIRE Zone, the main venue for the 15th Asian Games in 2006, is an impressive multi-purpose facility offering both local and international visitors access to world-class sports facilities and activities, high-end retail shopping and luxurious green parks for relaxation and for family enjoyment.

Education is key

Aside from the myriad of attractions and activities, Qatar has developed a solid infrastructure for progress and innovation, becoming known not only as a destination for travelers, but also as a center for business, education and research. Qatar is home to Education City, an impressive undertaking which hosts six world-class universities, all branch campuses of prestigious international institutions. The Qatar Science and Technology Park is a local home for technology-based companies from around the world and an incubator for start-ups enterprises. Known as the founder of free speech in the Middle East, Qatar is home to Al Jazeera, the first independent Arabic news channel in the world which also has a 24/7 English news channel.

A future full of promise

Although the State of Qatar is emerging as a global leader in industry and tourism, the country is still a work in progress and is continually looking to the future as it expands upon its heritage. Dohaland, a subsidiary of the Qatar Foundation, has launched the 'Heart of Doha' real estate development project aimed at reviving the Qatari, Arab and Islamic architecture and strengthen the Islamic cultural renaissance that Qatar is currently leading. Qatar's largest single real estate development, Lusail, is currently underway. When completed, Lusail will cover over 35 sq. km. of area and will accommodate up to 200,000 people. In the next few years the New Doha International Airport will open to welcome the estimated 50 million passengers a year who will use this world-class once completed. Always planning for the future, The State of Qatar has dedicated massive financial resources and energy to progressive and innovative development ideas and tools.

Whatever your interests, Qatar has something for everyone: from business travelers looking for a break between meetings and backpackers eager for unique desert adventures to families hoping to relax on a luxurious beach.

Welcome to Qatar

Doha Travel & Culture Services welcomes you to the charming Doha and rest of Qatar. We provide all types of tours and transport services. Our hotel rates are among the lowest in the

Qatar is little known tourist destination; it however has at least 6000 years of history waiting to be explored by you. Doha today is one of the most exciting skylines in the Middle East with futuristic buildings, shopping malls and sports stadiums.

`Qatar has some thing unique For any tourist; At Qatar Travel & Culture we have many packages to chose from.

Visit Qatar with us and make it both enjoyable and memorable, our site has many tours and packages available. If you like us to suggest a program for you simply write to us and we will come back with a program within 24 hours.!

Doha City Tour

Discover the charm of Doha in this guided tour where you visit the many attractions in this fast-changing city, which is a fascinating blend of the traditional and modern. More details about this Half tour of Doha

Doha City Tour

After being picked up from your hotels in an air–conditioned buses guided by multilingual tour guides you will enjoy the drive around the Cornish viewing the Palm Tree Island in the center of the bay, first stop will be at the Thursday & Friday markets, moving on to the Camel & sheep market including the fish & vegetable & market. Next visit is the gold souq where you can enjoy a walk around the glittering shops. The last stop will be at the traditional old souq. Where you will enjoy the traditional architect visiting the falcon, spice, material and perfume, traditional hand craft shops

Full day North Qatar Tour

This is a 6 - 8 hours full day tour of Northern Qatar We will pick you up at the hotel at 8.30 AM, Included is a picnic, lunch at a local cafe for the full-day trip. Water and soft drinks will be available throughout the trip.

2 Days Qatar tour

Visit Qatar in transit with one nights stay as one of the fine hotels of Doha, enjoy the desert safari and a Doha city orientation tour More details

3 Days Doha package.

Day 01 Meet on arrival at airport transfer to Ritz Carlton hotel overnight at hotel.

Day 2 morning City tour of Doha Afternoon desert Safari overnight at hotel

Day 3 Morning tour of Northern Qatar visit the exotic diggers and swards weaponry museum. Later we will drive to the North of Qatar and have our stop at the second largest city in Qatar Al-Khor, we will visit Al-Khor pearl diving museum then driving through the wonderful Al-Khor cornice towards Al-Zubara fort and Al-Zubara old city including the historic excavating.

Later we will drive to the Al-Ruwais city at the north tip of Qatar. Where we will be having lunch boxes in a traditional Qatari House Majlis. Chances will be given for falcon picture taking. After lunch we will visit the Al-Ruwais harbour to see the traditional Qatari fishing Dhows later transfer to airport for onward flight.

Tour of Qatar 2022 preview

February has become Middle-East month for the peloton, who from Sunday 9 to Friday 14 will take part in the Tour of Qatar.

Now into its 13th edition, it is the most firmly established of the Middle-Eastern races, although more have popped up in recent years: the Tour of Oman that follows it began in 2012, and the Dubai Tour was introduced this year to precede it.

The organisers have altered the formula for the 2022 edition slightly. The five flat stages are interrupted by a 10.9-kilometre individual time trial on the third day of racing, rather than previous years’ team time trial. Spice is added to the proceedings thanks to the vicious winds that are liable make the race difficult to control and potentially create time gaps.

If February is the month of Middle-Eastern races, then March is when the spring classics season begins, and many classics specialists will be seeking to build their form in Qatar. Included are Fabian Cancellara and four time winner Tom Boonen, who missed last year’s race with an injury. Boonen’s Omega Pharma-QuickStep team-mate Mark Cavendish took the honours in his absence, but Cavendish is not included this year. Team Sky are not sending their A-team, which gives the likes of Ian Stannard a chance to relinquish domestique duty and ride for their own personal glory. With the first monument of the season, Milan-San-Remo, six weeks away, now is the time to start catching the eye.

There are four British riders on the provisional start list: Luke Rowe (Sky), Ian Stannard (Sky), Andy Fenn (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) and Scott Thwaites (NetApp-Endura).Ones to watch

Tom BoonenEasily the rider with most past success at the Tour of Qatar, having won 20 stages, six points classification jerseys, and the overall four times. Though the time trial doesn’t seems to suit his skill set, he won an 11.3k effort en route to overall victory in 2021.

Fabian CancellaraWhat could be a season of titanic duals between the Swiss former world time trial champion and Boonen could begin on the roads of Qatar. If he has any form, he should win both the time trial and the overall.

Andre GreipelFresh from his two stage wins in the season’s first big meet at the Tour down Under, the German has four more flat stages to potentially exert his dominance in. He’s the best sprinter in the field, and should win a handful.

Ian StannardThe Brit’s huge frame and big engine make him the perfect rider to combat the windy and flat conditions in Qatar. Last year was the 26-year-old’s best to date; can he improve again in 2?

Tour of Qatar 22: Stages

  • Sunday February 9, Stage one, Al Wakra to Dukhan Beach, 135.5km
  • Monday February 10, Stage two, Camel Race Track to Al Khor Corniche, 160.5km
  • Tuesday February 11, Stage three, Lusail Circuit to Lusail Circuit, 10.9km ITT
  • Wednesday February 12, Stage four, Dukhan to Mesaieed, 135km
  • Thursday February 13, Stage five, Al Zubara Fort to Madinat Al Shamal, 159km
  • Friday February 14, Stage six, Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche, 113.5km

Tour of Qatar 2022: Teams

Ag2r La MondialeAstanaBardiani CSFBelkinBMC RacingCannondaleFDJIAM CyclingKatushaLotto-BelisolNetApp-EnduraOmega Pharma-QuickStepOrica-GreenEdgeSkySkydive DubaiTinkoff-SaxoTopsport-VlaanderenTrek Factory RacingUnitedHealthcare

Doha Desert Safari

Doha Desert Safari is a unique adventure experience that will give you the real feeling of the excitement in the desert. The tour starts at 3:30 to 4PM we will pick you up from your hotel and head towards South of Qatar, while stopping at sea line beach resort. The 4 x 4 professional drivers will deflate the tires to make the vehicle ready for the dune bashing. You will experience the rough but careful driving in the sand and your breathtaking trip across the desert & over the sand dunes.

The drive will take you to the marvels inland sea area near the Qatar, Saudi Arabia boarders and back. During the journey there will be two stops to give you the opportunity to take pictures of your experience. Soft drinks and mineral water will be available all the times for you. We will bring you back to the hotel around 18:30 PM

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