|
|
Doha City Tour
offered by supplier M19523 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 1
day(s)
Group Size: 5
- 50
people
Destination(s):
Qatar
Specialty Categories:
Sightseeing
Season: October - May
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 30 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 30 US Dollar (USD)
|
|
Our tour will start with a drive to the Doha Corniche - curving along the shoreline from the Ras Abu Abboud flyover to the pyramid - shaped Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, the picturesque Doha Cornice is flanked by the calm waters of the bay, their colors changing by the hour, varying from turquoise to emerald to cobalt blue. The flowerbeds are a riot of colors virtually all year round and tall stately palm trees sway in the breeze. Popular with walkers, joggers, rollerbladers and picnickers, the Corniche is a beautiful place to relax at, enjoy the fresh air and take in the sights. Along its length, there is a medley of old and new buildings, parkland, hotels and landmark architecture.
An important highlight here is the Dhow Harbor. The word "dhow" is derived from the Swahili word "dau", meaning fishing boat. Designs vary according to the use of the boat and each has an Arabic name. The fishing boats usually leave harbor loaded with domed traps called gargoor, which are lowered to the seabed overnight. Originally made from palm ribs, they are now formed from galvanized pipe and netting. You can watch them being made, and the nets being mended, on the harbor. (A photo stop will be made here as the location offers great photo opportunities of Doha City skyline).
The next stop will be at the fascinating Museum of Islamic Arts. Designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, the newly opened Museum of Islamic Art is putting Doha on the world art scene. Rising in angular tiers on the south end of Doha Harbor, the Museum of Islamic Art is aiming to hold the largest collection of Islamic art in the world - a bridge from past to future of artworks dating from the 7th to the 19th century, representing the full scope of Islamic art. It includes manuscripts, ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood and precious stones from three continents. Enjoy a morning touring the museum’s extensive collections.
Finally, our trip will include a visit to the attractive Old Souq (Souq Waqif), which is one of the most bustling areas of the city. The original "Standing Souq", it has evolved from its origins as a weekend market used by the Bedouin when they came into town to trade their meat, wool, weaving materials and milk for other staple goods. The most traditional of the souqs, it grew in recent decades into maze of narrow alleyways filled with small shops, with goods piled high to the ceilings and spilling out onto the pavement, and with separate sections selling dress, luggage, tools, general hardware and gardening equipment, tents and camping equipment, kitchenware, spices, incense & Arabic perfumes, sweets, rice, nuts and dried fruits.
Recently Souq Waqif has undergone a massive transformation that has returned it to a look much more in keeping with its roots, but with the added variety of falcon shops, pet supplies, donkeys, and traditional shisha cafés and restaurants. Aluminum doors and window frames have been replaced with wood, brightly-lit neon signs have been consigned to the dump, and air-conditioning units are carefully concealed. Using age-old building methods, external walls have been constructed from rough stone, ceilings from palm leaves, bamboo and rope, to create the same rustic look that prevailed 100 years ago.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Qatar
Local Culture
Sightseeing
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
|
|
|
, ext: 19523
