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IFLY tips

Souk Waqif (2 hrs)

Souk Waqif was an old Souk. This was the spot where the Bedouin would bring their sheep, goats and wool to trade. The government decided to knock it down and build a new Souk that looked like an old Souk. Its tourist potential has been recognised and it's been cleverly redeveloped to look like a 19th-century souk.
Beautiful stone has been used for the buildings. They created and narrow pathways you would expect in a Souk. Men with white beards and grey turbans wait in the pathways with wheelbarrows ready to carry your purchases.
This is the place to look for the national Qatari dress, spices, perfumes and incense made from agar wood. Do your shopping, Take some pictures and have a mint tea at one of the coffeehouses. Best time to go to souk Wafiq is in the evening.

Shopping in Doha: City Center Mall (2 hrs)

There are several wonderful shopping malls in Doha. We like to highlight two of them. The first one is City Center Mall. It’s the largest mall in the Middle East, which is situated in the heart of the city. The mall has five levels and it houses 350 shopping outlets including hundreds of world-class brand names.
The mall boasts of having Carrefour hypermarket, two ice-skating rinks (one exclusively for women) and a huge cinema complex. You can also sit and enjoy a meal or a drink at numerous restaurants, bars and food courts.
City Center Mall, Doha also has a large entertainment centre as well as two 10-pin bowling centers and a famous water park.

Shopping in Doha: Villagio Mall (3 hrs)

The second mall we like to highlight is Villagio Mall. It doesn’t look special on the outside, but when you walk inside and look up, the view will take your breath away. The ceilings represent the sky and if you didn’t know you were inside you could believe you were outside. Different areas of the mall represent different times of the day, so you can see sunset, night (complete with street lamps) and day.
But the top attraction of this mall is the canal that runs through the centre, complete with gondola. Bridges cross over the canal, and comfortable chairs line its sides for you to rest your feet. What's more, for a few riyals you can travel, Venetian style, up and down the canal.
Villagio Mall is located between Sport City and Hyatt Plaza on Al Waab Street, Doha.

Have a drink at Hotel La Cigale (1½ hr)

La Cigale Hotel, Doha’s best landmark, is located in the heart of the prestigious business district, Al Sadd. It’s a wonderful hotel but if you don’t like to stay there, at least you have to visit their bar at the 15th floor. From the Sky View Bar you get a breathtaking view on the city of Doha.
Having a drink in La Cigale is not a cheap one, but it’s absolutely worth it. For the weekends it’s highly recommended to make a reservation. But once inside (or better: outside at the roof top) you can party till dawn while enjoying drinks and house music.
60 Suhaim Bin Hamad Street. Tel: +974 428 8888.

Cloud 9 Bar (2 hrs)

Cloud 9 Bar at Merweb Hotel is the place to be in Doha if you want to go dancing and have a drink. Officially the club is for members only, but there is always a chance to come in. Mostly you have to pay a cover charge of 50 Riyals.
Cloud 9 is busy most days of the week and the place closes about 3.30 am. Tuesday night is ladies night. It is advisable to enter in a group with some women. If they see only men, they could refuse you at the door.

Exploring the desert: four-wheel drive (1 day)

Doha has a lot of desert and sand. And of course it’s fun to do something with it. You can make a desert safari with a four-wheel drive.
There are several reputable tour operators who organize desert safaris. Ask at your hotel or book at a travel agency in a shopping mall.
Remember that excursions should be undertaken in an adequately equipped 4 x 4 vehicle. Always travel in convoy with other cars, take a supply of water, a mobile telephone, and leave travel plans with friends and relatives.
And if you have all that, you will experience a great day. Experienced tour operators make it a real adventure when they expertly steer their four-wheel drive vehicles up and down 60-metre sand dunes along the way.
A trip to the inland sea, in the middle of the desert, is a splendid way to spend the day. A lunch and swim in the warm inland sea will nicely top off your adventure before you make the journey back to the city. Be sure to bring swimsuit, sunscreen, and don’t forget your camera. Prices are around 150 Riyal per person for a four-hour trip.
Exploring the desert: quad riding (½ day)

If you like to explore the desert and want it a bit more active than riding in a four-wheel drive, you can rent a quad-bike. At the Sealine beach resort, you can rent this 4 wheel bikes and drive through the desert dune yourself. It’s possible to drive just one hour, but if you like to do a tour, you should rent it for two hours.
They have quads with an 80cc or 160cc engine. Of course the 160cc is the most powerful and most popular. This is the best quad to drive on the dunes.
From the resort you can easily drive into the desert.

The resort is about 45 minutes driving south of Doha. The price of a quad is 150 Riyal per hour. Telephone:  +974 4765299.


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Language of the world

Of course you like to speak a few words of the local language onboard the plane or at your destination. Here you find some simple basics of the main language spoken in Doha.