#69 best destination in the world

National Museum of Qatar

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  • The building, which was constructed in place of the original Qatar National Museum, was designed by architect Jean Nouvel who got his inspiration from the desert rose crystal, which can be found in Qatar
  • The museum site includes Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thani’s Palace, which is the heart of the Qatari national identity
  • Opened to the public in 2019

Museum of Islamic Art (Doha)

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  • Museum built on an island off an artificial projecting peninsula near the traditional dhow harbor showcasing the Qatari seafaring past
  • Established 2008

Souq Waqif

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  • Marketplace (souq) in Doha noted for selling traditional garments, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs
  • Also home to dozens of restaurants and Shisha lounges
  • Although it dates back at least a hundred years, it was renovated in 2006 to conserve its traditional Qatari architectural style

Katara Cultural Village

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  • Waterfront area with an amphitheater, museum, convention center, plus shops, eateries, and a beach

The Pearl-Qatar

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  • Artificial island and the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals
  • There are 27,000 residents currently, and once fully completed, The Pearl will create over 20 miles of new coastline, for use as a residential estate with an expected 18,831 dwellings and 45,000 residents

Musfur Sinkhole

Musfur Sinkhole, Qatar

  • Formed an estimated 325,000 to 500,000 years ago, the sinkhole plunges over 300 feet down into the earth, making it the largest sinkhole in Qatar
  • The whole region is characterized by karst, a geological term referring to the underground layer of land that can easily dissolve when water trickles down from the surface, forming cavities
  • When these cavities grow in size and can no longer support the land surface, a collapse may occur and a sinkhole is formed
  • For safety purposes, view from a distance, as sinkholes are not the safest places to be

Film City

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  • Several hours drive into the Qatari desert is an artificial village built for a film or television series
  • There are almost no people or cars around, and no signs to give any clues as to why it’s there.
  • It’s believed that it was built either for a Hollywood or Qatari TV series, or maybe a promotional film for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Jebel Jassassiyeh

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  • Area with early petroglyphs, residential ruins and pottery remnants from the 15th century
  • The carvings, in fossil sand dunes (jebels), include geometric shapes, animals and ship shapes
  • It is Qatar’s most extensive rock art site with more than 900 carvings scattered over 580 numbered sites

Al Thakira Mangroves Forest

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  • Accessible by kayak tour, this wetland preserve has unique plant life, plus flamingos & other birds

Costs

Number of Days: 17 days

Best Time To Fly: Dec-Feb

Airline ticket: $1,549

Seattle -> Doha (round trip) $1,549

Food: $25/day x 28 days = $700

Entertainment/tours: $152

Airbnb/hotel: $354/day x 15 days = $5,310

TOTAL: $7,711