So, this months Blogger Link Up is focused on the best places to visit in Doha and the surrounding area.

This is very apt for me because in a couple of weeks my dad, sister, nephew and niece arrive for their first visit! I’ve spent sometime over the last week or so thinking places to go and reading other blogs such as Lemon and Mint (who has just had a friend stay so I stalked what Natalie did!) and Mama_Baba_Ganoush (who writes for various publications and has lot of family ideas) for inspiration. I want to ensure they have a fantastic time and they have requested ‘pool time with some sightseeing’and obviously for me that includes not only tourist sights but letting them experience some of my favourite places to eat. So, to combine the both of those things in this post I’m going to give a brief outline of what I have scheduled for the week in terms of sightseeing and eating so hopefully they return back to England with lots of fantastic memories.Hopefully it will also give you some ideas.

 

Day 1 – Greg and I are at work so I think they’ll have a lazy morning by the pool until we get home about 1pm. It’s a special day as its Katie’s Birthday and she’d like a cake. I think in the evening well stroll over to Chilis at City Center. I’m a big fan of Chilis and I’ve seen the fuss they make when it’s someone’s birthday and I think she’ll like the ice cream with sparklers and the singing! Afterwards we might go ice skating or to the cinema which is always popular on a Thursday night.

 

Day 2 – Friday morning is my favourite time of the week as even in the city center it’s so quiet. I’m planning on heading to the Pearl which has a lovely marina, is pedestrian friendly and has an abundance of cafes, restaurants and shops. I think we will go to Jones the Grocer as it has a lovely view and the food and service is good. After a walk around the Pearl we’ll probably head back for pool time then in the evening head to Yum Yum Restauarant at K108 Hotel which is a bit of a best kept secret in Doha before heading to take in the sights of Souq Waqif.

Day 3 – On Saturday a group of us are going to drive to Sealine. About 40min south of Doha this is the place to camel ride, go quad biking and get out into the desert. You can also go to the Inland Sea. I think later we will head to one of my favourite spots for lunch, Elements at the Four Seasons as its such a beautiful place with delicious food. Then, maybe movie night!

 

 

Day 4 – A lazy pool morning then lunch at Chef’s Garden. A great place to take kids as it has a play area. The majority of the food is organic and locally sourced too. As its near the stables we might get to see the horses train. Then we’ll head off to Purple Island about 45 minutes north of Doha to kayak through the mangroves. I think we’ll have a less formal dinner at Royal Istanbul located at West Bay Petrol station.

 

 

Day 5 – I think we will start the morning wandering around Katara to get a glimpse of traditional Qatari life before heading to Market at W Hotel for a business lunch as my nephew wants to try the burger there! Then we’ll walk lunch off at the Museum of Islamic Art Park and have a drink overlooking the beautiful corniche.

 

Day 6 – I’m not sure what the final day will be yet. Perhaps the water park, maybe a trip to Aspire and Gonolania, a trip to the new ‘animals from the movies exhibit’ or a dhow ride. On the other hand maybe we’ll go the Al Wakra beach or the new park in Al Khor with a zoo…..

 

I’m pretty sure these plans will change throughout the week and I really can’t cram in all the places I want to show them take them to eat! As you can see there is so much to fit in a week really isn’t long enough.

Wherever you go, whatever you do while you’re in Doha have a great time and I hope this post had provided you with some inspiration.

Thanks for reading

Kathryn