Karryon founder Matt Leedham puts the newly upgraded Qatar Stopover program to the test with his wife and two sons (aged 14 and 9) after a European holiday en route back to Australia.
Any misgivings I may have had about taking my family on a desert safari melted faster than my wife’s foundation in the Qatari heat after our 4×4 driver and guide, Bassam, told us he was once a rally driver who competed in the legendary Paris-Dakar rally.
Cut to six minutes later, and we were all laughing and howling as we bumped and bounced across the undulating dunes in Bassam’s Land Cruiser, thanks to Qatari’s Vin Diesel performing spin after expert spin through the drifting sand.
It was the last day of my family’s four-day stopover in Qatar, and we were ending it on an adrenalin-fuelled high.
While Karryon has worked with Visit Qatar and Qatar Airways for a couple of years, I had never had the chance to visit until now, so I was curious to experience it through my family’s eyes. Would the famed ‘World’s best stopover’ live up to the hype?
Given it was Formula One (F1) weekend when we arrived, Doha was buzzing with celebrities, F1 lovers and influencers who had hit the town to soak up the high-octane roadshow this annual three-day spectacle brings. There was even a rumour that Mariah Carey was staying at our Fairmont Doha hotel. While we didn’t steal a glance of the diva herself, the fabulous hotel certainly did not disappoint, and my family loved the opulent gold design, next-level style and comfort and, yes, the fantastic people-watching.
We arrived in October, and it was still sweltering, with average temperatures hitting 35-plus, which came as a welcome warm-up for us again after being in chilly London. We started our adventure on day one appropriately at the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Waterpark at Salwa Beach Resort. It’s around an hour’s drive from Doha and about as far as you can go before leaving the country. We soon learned that everything is pretty close in Doha.
Cleverly designed as a desert canyon to shade the sun, there’s a good full day’s worth of fun times to be had here for all ages, cooling off in the best way on the 30 rides and slides, plus the lazy river, which the boys and I thoroughly enjoyed.
Once back in Doha in the early evening, we visited the famous Souq Waqif. This thriving treasure trove houses countless artisans selling handmade items and products, with numerous cafes and restaurants framing the vast labyrinth of fragrant alleys where there’s a surprise around every corner.
Built on the site of Doha’s century-old trading market, It felt like we’d teleported to another bygone era on that balmy evening, and everyone was there, expats and tourists included.
While my family ventured off to haggle a bargain or two and say hello to a family of camels fast asleep on one of the streets, I chose to sit in a cafe drinking Arabic coffee and eating local sweet treats and watched the world and the people go by; it was heaven.
For centuries, Qatar was sparsely populated mainly by Bedouin tribes and a few small fishing villages with an economy based on fishing, pearl diving and trading long before the discovery of oil and gas changed its fortunes.
Proclaiming its independence in 1971, the young nation has undergone lightspeed change and transformation and is still a work in progress; fifty-plus years later and with a population of 2.7 million, it is full of surprises that reflect the old and the new.
Today, it’s also a hit with Aussies stopping over en route to Europe and beyond, thanks mainly to Qatar Airways Doha hub and a vast network of connecting destinations. Many also arrive now by cruise ship docking at the revamped Doha Port.
With vision and foresight in mind, the Qatari government has reinvested its newfound wealth from natural resources heavily in cultural projects over the last five decades, including museums, galleries, and public spaces as campuses for foreign universities.
As a result, Doha is full of architectural wonders designed by the best in the world. The National Museum of Qatar, designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel, is one such out-of-this-world space that defies gravity with its angled levels.
Drawing inspiration from the desert rose crystal, it’s one of the most impressive architectural landmarks in the country that shines a light on Qatar’s past, present and future. It’s a fantastic audio-visual introduction to the state’s story and appeals to all ages.
We also visited the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, a must-visit for sports lovers of all ages. I say for sports lovers, but if you are interested in understanding the relationship between a healthy mind and a healthy body, it’s an inspiring place for anyone to spend a few hours.
Set over three vast levels, there’s a lot to discover, including an entire floor dedicated to interactive games where you can test your athletic and mental ability in various fun ways. You can even be a sports host on the beIN Sports Channel.
Visiting a library may not be everyone’s idea of fun. Still, if you value design and education (as I do), the Qatar National Library is a must-see. World-renowned architect Rem Koolhaas designed the 45,000-square-metre building to resemble two pieces of paper pulled apart and folded diagonally at the corners to create a shell-like structure. Inside, over a million books rise from the floor and blend into the architecture. It’s free to enter and is a sight to behold.
To bring the balance back, my wife decided the Place Vendôme Shopping Mall must be reviewed for research and comparison. An extravagant 1,150,000 square meter mall inspired by classic French architecture, it’s a four-floored, open-concept mall that houses 580 high-end and mid-range stores, including every global fashion brand, which redeemed a 6-star rating from my better half.
A very Las Vegas-esque water canal also runs through the interior and exterior of the mall, accompanied by a popular 3D laser and dancing water fountain show that takes place every night.
Another of Doha’s new additions is the B12 Beach Club in West Bay. We ventured down to join throngs of football lovers to catch Brazilian football legend and ex-Barcelona and Paris St Germain player Ronaldhino juggling balls and signing Qatar Airways-sponsored Paris St Germain shirts while he was in town for the F1.
The beach club is a great place to hang out from dawn to dusk, with various food and beverage package options and Qatar’s largest inflatable waterpark looking out across the Bay. It’s completely family-friendly (as are most things in Qatar), where you can chill in cozy cabanas, get involved in beach volleyball If you’re feeling energetic, or laze in the warm, serene waters of the Arabian Sea.
Lounge in the sun and graze a wide selection of beach snacks and drinks to the sounds of DJs playing all day long. There is even all-you-can-eat-free chocolate ice cream for kids.
As for the F1 experience? The whole F1 weekend was a fantastic experience, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who is into that kind of thing. Picking my 14-year-old son’s jaw off the floor when he saw how fast the cars accelerated was priceless.
So, is a stopover in Qatar worth it? Considering you can stay in 4-star hotels for as little as AUD$21 per person per night, it’s a no-brainer if you are looking for two unique holidays in one and fantastic value.
For families, in particular, it’s a brilliant option to break up a long trip and share a different culture and a wide range of experiences safely and easily.
I was surprised at how much you could pack into two days here, let alone four, but regardless, I still left with many more things on my list that I would have liked to have seen, both with my family and in my own time.
Note to The Whale Sharks, kiteboarding, The Organic Farm and my new friend, Bassam: I’m coming back.
The Qatar Stopover Program details
Become a Qatar Specialist and win a double movie pass. The first 100 agents to complete the training will receive a Palace Cinema pass. Register here.
To discover more about Qatar, head here to learn more about Qatar Airways and discover Qatar stopover deals. You’ll also find complete itinerary suggestions for 48 hours in Qatar right here.
Agents, book your clients in the Qatar Airwards trade portal. You can upskill your knowledge there, too.
Access a PDF flyer here for more information on this offer and share it with your clients easily.
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