destination

Doha

I purposely planned an 8 hour layover in Doha so that I could go out and visit. This was my second time in Qatar. The visa is $28, however if you're flying with Qatar Airlines check to see what daily tours you can purchase from them to avoid buying a visa. Taxis are really the only way to get around the city. They use the meter and it's a fare price but obviously the price will be cheaper for you if you don't have to pay the tab alone. Our 8 hours were during the day on a Friday. In many Muslim countries, Friday is the holy day. A lot of stores were closed and don't open until late afternoon. Doha is more of a business town and, not including its many malls, doesn't really have much to visit. The downtown area looks really nice but it's mostly just tall office buildings and hotels. A walk along the Corniche is the best place to take pictures of the downtown area and the beautiful bay. The Islamic Cultural Center is free and gives a thorough history lesson of the Islamic faith. Souk Waqif is the local but also touristy area to go shopping. Many local crafts are available and some vendors are willing to barter. Fancy buying a falcon? The Falcon Souk is located close by and merits a visit. Like many big cities in the Middle East, Doha has many malls. It's a great place to go and cool off on hot days. You'll also find all of your favorite Western eateries.