Shopping in Doha - Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is prossibly one of most favourite places in Qatar so far.

Souq Waqif is situated in the heart of Doha, just past the illustrious Emir’s palace. There is ample parking, although if you get there to late you will have difficulty finding a spot. You’ll find another entrance opposite the PDF Islamic centre.
The original Souq Waqif was an old Souq, and it was decided to knock it down and replace it with a new “old looking” Souq, but with beautiful stone built buildings, narrow walkways creating a maze effect of corridors, and I have to say, they did a fairly good job of it!
There is a “flea market” feel to parts of Souq Waqif and bartering is acceptable. You can buy almost anything from here, from pots, pans & kitchen accessories, clothes, shoes, bags to sunshade canopies to wooden, pearl & traditional trinkets. Rugs, carpets even musical instruments are sold here. I don’t think I have been to the Souq for something and mot been able to find it.!!
My favourite walkway has to be the herbs and spices, the smell and colours are incredible and the choices are endless. Rock incense is used to enhance the look & scents. All you need do is follow your nose.
There is a main street running the length of the Souq full of traditional coffee shops where you can have anything from a variety of refreshments from Turkish coffee, latte, or fruit Shisha.
Purchases to heavy to carry? No problem, men with wheelbarrows wait in the walk ways ready to carry your purchases.

Not far off from the main section of the Souq is the gold souq, this is were some real bargains can be found. There are rows and rows of shops selling jewellery with gemstones of every colour, shape and size.  You can have anything you wish made for a fraction of the price in the UK. Gold here is good quality, but very yellow compared to what we are used to

Shopping In Doha

Qatar Shopping

By: Qatar Visitor

Stroll along a canal while browsing shops, or enjoy a meal over flowing water. Admire the gondolas, stare up at the blue skies and fluffy white clouds above you or admire the moon and star constellations above you. You could be forgiven for thinking you were in Venice – but actually you are in Qatar, a tiny desert peninsula country on the outskirts of Saudi Arabia. The mall is Villagio: Qatar’s newest and most stupendous shopping centre – and that’s even before it’s finished.

For such a small city (in such a small country!) there is a huge range of shopping. Doha. may not yet match Dubai in shopping terms (although Qatari ladies – expert shoppers if there ever were any – maintain Doha’s shop prices are substantially cheaper), but as ever it is determined to catch up with its neighbour.

Qatar shoppers certainly have the money to spend – Qatar now has an average annual income of over $60,000 a year. That’s substantially more than the average income of an American.

Villagio alone has over 130,000 square metres of retail space – which will include a cinema (with 3-d screens), ice-skating rink and even an roller-coaster.

But Doha offers far more than luxury shopping malls. Souq Waqif is a huge sprawling traditional Arab Souq – traditional in style at least, the actual buildings have all been rebuilt. Here you can find colourful arrays of spices, Indian clothing, falcons and much more.

If you prefer something more basic you can head out to the wholesale markets on the outskirts of towns. In addition to the superb vegetable market, a live animal market (be sure to check out the camels) and a fish market you can also find the Omani market.

Here you can buy traditional pottery, huge dried fish and even – in wet winters – desert truffles.

The only thing to remember when booking a visit to Qatar is the weather. Don’t go in the summer. Otherwise the inside of those luxurious (and air-conditioned) shopping malls is the only thing you’ll be going to see.

About the Author

This article was provided by Qatar Visitor. Qatar Visitor is a tourist and resident's website providing extensive information about jobs, travel, flights, culture and the history of Qatar, and includes images, sounds and videos.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Qatar Shopping

Living In Qatar - More Info

Life in Qatar for Expatriates

By: Geetika Jain

Qatar has recently developed into more than just a transit point for travelers. With its extreme growth and development in the recent years and coming of age of its capital Doha, Qatar has become a popular destination for business and leisure travelers. Today, Qatar is a well-developed, modern state for its local residents, a booming economy for the expatriates who come to work here and an attractive tourist destination. Thus, the number of qualified and experienced foreign workers who take up jobs in Qatar has also proliferated over the last few years.

For those who take up jobs in gulf, Qatar is a good option for various sectors and industries, it is important to know a little more about the culture and the lifestyle in Qatar. Qatar is growing by leaps and bounds and high-rise buildings, international hotels and attractive tourist destinations can be seen throughout the place. However, Qatar has managed to retain its cultural heritage, tradition and local architecture to a large extent. Thus, it is a fascinating mix of the modern and the traditional.

The economy in Qatar is fast growing. It is mainly oil and gas based economy and this sector has contributed significantly in the transformation of Qatar into one of the richest countries. The GDP of Qatar is among the highest in the world. Thus, oil jobs in Qatar are a plenty. Now, Qatar is also diversifying its economy by investing in liquid natural gas. Qatar is a major gas to liquids (GTL) exporter. Thus, gas jobs in Qatar are also open for expatriates. To make a sustainable base, Qatar is also looking at comprehensive industrial development

The climate in Qatar is desert climate, which means it has long hot summers and mild winters. Rainfall is scanty between the months of October and March. Qatar has an eclectic mix of population. While Qatari citizens account for just 20% of the population, there are Lebanese, Omani, Palestinians, Syrians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Indians Iranians Europeans etc who live and work here. Thus, the place is open for expatriates and welcomes them with open arms. The official language of the place is Arabic but English is widely used at workplaces and in transactions. Those who relocate to take up Qatar jobs are advised to learn basic Arabic to survive comfortably in the place. For accommodation, there are many good furnished and unfurnished apartments that one can choose from. Mostly, the company that sponsors your work visa will also sponsor your living accommodation.

Qatar offers a high standard of lifestyle to expatriates who come to work in Qatar jobs. With exciting job opportunities and high salaries, Qatar has become a popular career destination for expatriates. It is the warm ambience, the safety of the place, the warm weather and an amazing environment for family that entices expatriates to the country. The country also has long beaches placed along the coastline and many hotels and holiday resorts. Thus, after work, there are a lot of recreational activities that one can take up. There are entertainment opportunities in shopping, restaurants, cinemas, bowling alleys etc.

About the Author

Geetika Jain writes on behalf of NaukriGulf.com, a leading job portal for jobs in Gulf Region, and teaching Jobs in Saudi Arabia, Middle East jobs. Naukri.com's foray into the Middle East is an Endeavour to provide established client base with services that best meet their international requirements as well as expand our operations on to a global arena.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Life in Qatar for Expatriates

Al Banush Sports Club

The club is a sports & social centre in Mesaieed. It consists of a gym, tennis court, football Pitch, bowls green and many more indoors and outside activities. It has an outside swimming pool with a slide, diving board & a fabulous hot spa tub.
There are several classes available including spin, karate, football & badminton
The Norwegian school is run from the club and, as most things in Qatar, opens Sunday – Thursday.
I have spent many a sunny day, basking in the sun (and doing my laps) in the pool here. Despite being previously warned about how busy it gets, I have yet to see more than 10 people there!. The facilities are used by Qataris as well as expats and has some time set aside for ladies only, on Sunday & Wednesday evenings and also on Tuesday morning. This is to allow Muslim women to de-robe and to swim and bask in the sunshine.
There is a great restaurant that has a great lunch time & evening menu. Prices are reasonable although service can be a little slow. The bar has a liquor licence is open nightly. Occasionally they arrange special event nights with live bands from around the world.
During April the club hosts the QAFCO Flower Show.
During Ramadan the restaurant caters for iftar, the meal after fasting. They set this out in large tents on the lawns, and have decorated the area with lanterns for the festivities. The restaurant opens to the public with it usual menu at 7.30pm

Shopping in Doha...Villagio

This is by far the prettiest Qatar shopping mall I have ever visited. The ceiling is domed and painted with sky & clouds. The lighting is very natural, and for all intents & purposes it feels like walking around an open-air shopping centre. The different avenues are all set to different times of the day, and dressed accordingly, including streetlamps and sky colour. The top half of the shops are decorated with painted on windows, balcony's etc, giving the whole mall an Italian feel. It even has a canal running though the centre.... yes a canal, with a gondola that you can ride from one end of the mall to the other. There are bridges to cross the canal, and comfy seating alongside where you can sit & watch the world go by.
The mall houses several well known UK stores including Wallis, M&S, boots and more. There are home ware stores and several jewellery shops. Carrefour, the leading hypermarket, have a large store here. At the top end is a very exclusive area that houses shops for those with expensive taste & money to spend... this includes the likes of Rolex, Gucci, Tiffany’s to name but a few.
There are plenty of eating options, from a quick take-away, to a full 3 course sit down meal, with restaurants available from all cultures, including, Chinese, Greek, Mexican & English. Throughout you will find coffee shops that you can sit & relax at.
The mall everything need to keep you entertained, when you are done shopping & eating you can take in a movie at the 13 screen IMAX 3D cinema, or visit funfair with the family where there are rides & stalls for children of all ages.
All in all, visiting Villagio is an extremely pleasant experience..... one I intend to enjoy again & again!!

Champagne Lunch @ The Marriott

“There’s nothing to do there, it’s a desert!!” were the words I heard time & time again when I said I was coming to live in Qatar. They are but a distant echo now.

There is nothing quite like Friday Brunch at The Marriott Hotel. I have experienced this delight 3 times now, and so far have not been disappointed.

Friday is “Sunday” a religious day and a day for relaxing, meeting friends and generally doing very little, and there is nothing quite as relaxing as the Champagne Brunch at the Marriott Hotel. This is all the food you can eat & champagne you can drink for a set price (currently QAR300).

Each serving counter serve food from a different country, and given there are around 10 counters, not including the salad bar & fish cart, nor the dessert tables, the choice is extensive. It is always busy and the waiters cope admirable with the service being excellent.

Brunch is served in the bright airy conservatory area that overlooks the pool. Seating starts at 12 noon and goes through to 3pm. You have to pre-book, and can have a table for 2 up to as many as you wish.

Lots of expats book this for birthdays, anniversary celebrations etc.

Living in Qatar - The Best Bits!

After just 10 days living here (and a few flying visits in the last year) I can tell you what I love about it.
Call for prayers - I love this sound, the way it spreads across the city & towns like a blanket. The voices are all in tune & I find it enchanting and calming. It’s the sort of thing I have seen in films and on TV, but to actually be here to actually hear it for myself is amazing. Sadly where we are in Mesaieed we are quite a bit away from the local mosque so I cannot hear it every day.
Air-Conditioning – I love living in a fully air-con’ed house. When you step outside into the heat it hits you like a physical wall. The air, in the summer, is thick with moisture and warms through to your bones. It feels like stepping into a warm bath. Then when you come back inside from the sweltering heat the air con hits you like a cold shower. It’s startling & totally refreshing.
Sunshine – I love having warm days every day & not having to go to bed wondering what the weather will be like tomorrow. I have just moved here and it’s the middle of summer so is a fairly warm average of around 45 degrees. During the winter months it drops to around 24 degrees. I have visited here in the winter season, and spent the evenings with my feet in the Gulf Stream & picnicking on the beach.

Shopping in Doha - City Centre & Centre Point

So, after being here for a week, I have started shopping and have visited a few shopping malls, and from what I can see there are plenty more to come!

City Centre

This is probably the biggest of all the shopping malls and is based in the heart of Doha. It houses several of the high street shops we have in the UK, Monsoon, Next and Debenhams to name but a very few. There are lots of Qatari shops new to me, and are obviously aimed at the local population.
Home ware shopping is well catered for with exceptional furniture and household accessories shops, where you can buy anything from a tea-towel to a sofa or bed. Carrefour have an extremely large branch within the centre and also carry’s a lot of home ware lines as well as electicals, gardening and clothing products.
Cafés and restaurants are in abundance, with the 3rd floor having a dining area. You can have anything from local cuisine to KFC and burger king. There is a Starbucks on 2 floors along with various other coffee houses. There are plenty of toilet facilities, and prayer rooms are available on all floors. Parking can be a bit of an issue in busy times, but the centre itself never feels busy or rushed. Air conditioning ensures the centre feels comfortable at all times of year.

Centre Point

Situationed just off the C ring, junction after Toys R Us, this is a small but extremely useful centre for household items. There is a large Home Store, from which you could furnish and decorate your entire home.
There is also an electric store which carry’s everything from TV’s to portable disc drives to hair straighteners. It also has a couple of clothing / fashion shops and a large Shoe mart store.
There is a small eating area with a few menu choices, including a Costa coffee and a Baskin Robbins ice cream parlour. Toilet and prayer facilities are also available in this area.
Parking is underground, and again, can be very busy at weekends.