Globe Trotting Memories

Airline: Oman Air, Qatar Airways

Transportation: Taxi, Uber

Airfare Cost: ~ $350USD roundtrip

Restaurants: Spice Market, La Spiga by Paper Moon, Walima.

Hotels: St. Regis Doha, Mondrian Doha, W Hotel Doha

Attractions: MIA, Souq Waqif, Pearl

Currency: Qatari Rial (QAR)

Hey Travelers!

I’ve just had the most amazing weekend in Doha, Qatar. What’s amazing is that you can see and do so much in just a few days, and come away with a new appreciation for a unique culture and environment. Doha is located on the peninsula of the Arabian Gulf. What’s unique about Doha, you may ask? Well, Doha has unique neighborhoods ranging from traditional Arabian style to luxe modern skyscrapers. A wide range of food, museums, and attractions.

Let me tell you how to make the most of a short trip to this exotic location: 

Flights: There are many direct flights from Europe to Doha. The most efficient and direct way to fly to Doha is to fly Qatar Airways, the airline is really nice and comfortable.

This table will show flight times from major airports to Doha, Qatar

I tend to check with Kayak to find the best flights available. However, I book my flights with airlines that are members of oneworld (in order to rack up miles) Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld airline alliance.

Transportation to and from the airport, hotel, and around the city: Uber (If you don’t have the Uber app, use my code ruslanp329ui for a free ride)

I suggest taking an Uber, however, you can easily catch a metered taxi anywhere. Almost everyone in Doha speaks English, so it should not be an issue getting around.

The day to day breakdown

P.S. For the travelers outside living in the Middles East –  Thursdays are Fridays in the Middle East, being Sunday is a Monday, thus everyone heads back to work on a Sunday. The official “Friday” night starts on Thursday night. Whenever I take weekend trips, I go on a Thursday evening. I check into the hotel and head for dinner, having an early night to begin exploring the city on a Friday morning refreshed and ready to go. (Not always the case, at times, I go out of Thursdays and experience the nightlife that the city has to offer) 

After you check into the hotel head over to the Spice Market restaurant located at the W Hotel for a beautiful Arabic inspired atmosphere with gigantic red lamps hanging from the sealing that gives you a feeling of Arabian nights to grab a cocktail at a beautiful marble bar overlooking into the restaurant as people enjoy a scenic Arabian dining. 

After you had a cocktail or few go down to La Spiga by Paper Moon restaurant also located at the W Hotel for at an Italian cuisine with an old Hollywood atmospheric feel. 

Since everything is closed on Friday due to prayers head over for brunch for 600QAR at St. Regis of free flow alcohol and whatever food you desire from BBQ to sushi and everything in between. Spend over 4 hours outdoors by enjoying the food, the free-flowing drinks, and hookah if you must. When you’re done brunching, head back and relax in the room, take a bath or take a nap and order room service for dinner. 

St. Regis Living Room

St. Regis

St. Regis Doha Brunch Area

St. Regis Room

St. Regis Hotel

Head over to the Souq Waqif to find whatever you desire from clothing and accessories to birds and rabbits. This Souq is definitely an adventure. Within the souq, you will find clothing, accessories, rugs, furniture, and most interestingly an amazing stretch of animals ranging from birds, rabbits, turtle, puppies, to fish. 

Souq Waqif

Walk beyond to Souq to the new downtown that is clean and crisp with its modern architecture. Grab a coffee at % Arabia, walk beyond by foot to the MIA (Museum of Islamic Art) to look at the stunning architecture that the museum has to offer. 

Mia Indoors

MIA

Entrance to MIA

Museum of Islamic Art

Take a taxi to the Pearl and grab a fantastic lunch, many options of restaurants available. The drive to the Pearl is also unique, you’ll get to see some amazing architecture from modern to Italian inspired villages along the highway.

On a Saturday evening have an outdoor dinner at Walima inside the Mondrian Hotel with a hookah lounge, some nice outdoor breeze and finger licking Mediterranean food.  

Mondrian Hotel

Pool @Mondrian Hotel

Mondrian Hotel Lobby

Mondrian Hotel Lobby

Mondrian Hotel

P.S. I took the flight to Doha from Dubai. To get to Doha from Dubai there are no direct flight (political issues between UAE and Qatar) fly Oman air to Muscat that takes 1.5 hours with a layover in Muscat (beautiful airport that you could spend your time at duty free shop, utilize all the free lounges and walk around in a contemporary designed easy accessible airport) with only an hour layover which is plenty of time to catch the next flight with Qatar air from Muscat to Doha that takes about 2 hours.