Must-visit destinations in Doha, Qatar

Doha, recently named one of the New 7 Wonders Cities in the World, is known for their spectacular modern buildings and cultural heritage.

It has plenty of attractions that are sure to make your time in Qatar a memorable one. If you are in Doha for a holiday, here is a list of the best places to visit in Doha, Qatar.

Museum of Islamic Art

Set in the MIA Park of the Doha waterfront, Museum of Islamic Art is an architectural gem and is considered to be one of the well-known places to visit in Doha. Designed by world-renowned architect, I.M. Pei, the Museum of Islamic Art is one museum that has the largest collection of Islamic art in the world. While the paintings were collected from three continents over the span of 1400 years, the interiors are breathtaking with spectacular geometric patterns of the Islamic world that makes it one of the many places to visit in Doha at night.

Katara Mosque

Katara mosque might not be as large as a huge grand mosque, but the color, design and patterned tiles represent its uniqueness. These tiles are the part of shared history and a reminder between the Iranians and the Gulf region. This mosque is which well-contrasted in colors and symbolizes the Arabian, Persian and African tradition. People are welcomed to Qatar and visit the Katara Mosque because its renowned history of the Quasi-mosques (Islamic geometric patterns) is very attractive and appealing.

Corniche

One of the best places to visit in Qatar is the Doha Corniche. Most popular locations among walkers, bikers and joggers, Corniche is a waterfront promenade that reshaped Doha’s coastline in the late 1970s and early 1980s. An ideal place for exercising in the morning, it also attracts crowd who are looking for spectacular views of the city’s skyline and witness beautiful sunsets in the evening.

Al Jassasiya Carvings, Al- Ruwais

Al- Ruwais is a city of Qatar peninsula, which is known mostly for its natural view. It’s a little fishing village, but the local dhow boats are very famous for the seaside swarming. Al Jassasiya Carvings are one of the attractive places at Al- Ruwais. There is a rich collection of petroglyphs and it is about 900. The 250 years carvings are now open to visitors from the government. It contributes much to the tourism of Qatar.

Aspire Park

Considered to be one of the ideal places to visit in Qatar with family, Aspire Park is one of the largest parks in the Gulf region, and is one of Qatar’s finest landscapes. Another attraction the park has to offer is the Torch Tower, or also known as the Aspire Tower. It is an astonishing 300m high building which served as a giant torch for the 15th Asian Games, and is now a beautiful hotel. Make sure you add it to your itinerary while planning your holidays as it is one of the top places to visit in Qatar during summer

Al Wakra Museum

The Al Wakra museum is a site that has some of the best architecture in Qatar. The exhibits in the museum are quite fascinating and feature ancient artifacts and the details of the history of Qatar. In terms of the museum’s beauty, you will not even feel the need to step inside – just bask in the beauty of this building. This old fortress has an eerie quality to it which is strangely enticing. This mysterious allure will leave you feeling fascinated and in full admiration.

Read more: The must-visit museums in Doha, Qatar

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Romantic honeymoon destinations for newlyweds to visit in Japan

For newlywed couples, there’s nothing quite like starting your new life together with the travel experience of a lifetime. Here are the most romantic places in Japan to spend your honeymoon.

Kyoto

The ancient city of Kyoto is, without a doubt, one of the most romantic destinations in all of Japan. Bask in the historical atmosphere, find peace in a bamboo forest or zen garden, get pampered by the ultimate in Japanese hospitality at a traditional ryokan inn, and dine on the very best of Japanese haute cuisine known as kaiseki dining.

Miyajima

Miyajima, located just outside of Hiroshima, is famous for its torii gate that floats on the water at high tide. The tiny island town offers accommodations to suit every budget, from traditional inns to resort hotels on the waterfront. Explore Miyajima’s beautiful shrines and temples, encounter the docile population of wild deer, and hike to the top of Mount Misen for a stunning panoramic view of the island.

Fuji’s Five Lakes

One of the best views of Mount Fuji can be had from the five lakes at the base of the sacred mountain. The lake resort town of Kawaguchiko in particular offers hiking, fishing, and canoeing for nature enthusiasts and museums, onsen, and sightseeing for those looking for a more leisurely honeymoon.

Karuizawa

Karuizawa, a popular couples resort town, makes for the perfect honeymoon destination any time of year. Enjoy picturesque cherry blossoms in the spring, lush nature in the summer, gorgeous foliage in autumn, and a snowy wonderland in the winter. Much of the local architecture is reminiscent of a quaint European hamlet, and the wooden chapels here frequently host Western-style weddings. In the wintertime, the town transforms into a charming Christmas village complete with an ice skating pod.

Hida-Takayama

If you want a traditional taste of Japan with a different flavor from Kyoto, the secluded mountain town of Hida-Takayama may be the honeymoon destination for you. Old Town Takayama is one of the best-preserved historic areas in all of Japan and will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. It’s also one of the few places where you can enjoy Hida beef, a brand of domestic wagyu that rivals even Kobe beef. Just a short distance from Hida-Takayama is the historic village of Shirakawa-go, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique thatched-roof farmhouses.

See more: The most romantic resorts for a honeymoon in Thailand

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Do not miss these curries from Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s national dish is unmistakably rice and curry. Rice and curry does not simply include one type of curry, but several kinds. This meal is a great big platter made up of rice and at least three different curries around it placed near the rice. Rice and curry dishes are customarily eaten by hand, an art easy to master after a couple of tries.

Crab Curry

Sri Lanka is paradise for seafood lovers. A juicy crab curry is a must-try for those who do not mind getting dirty. It is a finger-licking experience! Crab curries are omnipresent on menus all over the country. They are prepared by cooking the crab in a paste of spices and coconut milk. After you have broken the crab apart and extracted all the meat, be sure to mop up the flavorful gravy with some bread (such as pol roti). Ministry of Crab, in Colombo's historic Old Dutch Hospital complex, is devoted to the crustacean. It is the hottest place for all things crab, including traditional Sri Lankan crab curry.

Parippu (Lentils Curry)

Parippu aka the humble lentils curry is a must-have when you travel to here. Sometimes, it is part of our every single meal. A good parippu curry is served alone with almost everything in Sri Lanka. Perfectly scented in coconut gravy, the light-red Mysore Dhal (Masoor Dal) turns into a pleasing yellow colour with a few pinches of turmeric. Often spiced up with chilli powder, mustard seeds and saffron, chopped garlic, onions and curry leaves are used as flavouring-enhancers.

Haalmesso Sudata (Dried Sprats Curry)

Dried sprats, mildly treated with Sri Lankan spices are cooked with rich coconut milk until the gravy gives a thick, creamy texture. The gravy is best enjoyed with roast paan and loaves of bread (known as kade paan in Colombo) making it one of the popular staples of Upali’s menu. It is also quite popular in Sri Lankan households to add boiled potatoes and sliced tomatoes which gives a whole different taste and appearance.

Jackfruit Curry

The jackfruit sure looks a bit strange but it is an ever-present feature in curries in Sri Lanka, where it grows in abundance. Even before the jackfruit has ripened, it is made into curry. This type is known as polos (baby jackfruit or green jackfruit). Once cooked, its texture resembles pulled pork. Ripe jackfruit is called kos, and it is made into a very different tasting curry called kiri kos maluwa. In contrast to the hot and spicy polos maluwa, this curry is mild and creamy with thick coconut milk and fewer chiles. Eat it with rice or roti.

Ambul Thiyal (Sour Fish Curry)

The most amazing thing about this curry is not its taste, which is beyond delicious, but that’s pretty obvious. It is the fact that this curry can stay at room temperature for a week without going bad. The trick?

Tamarind, or goraka as it is called in Sri Lanka, used to marinate fish prior to cooking is a natural preservative. Ambul thiyal is a dry curry with a slightly sour taste. It originated in the South of the island but overtime became typical Sri Lankan food.

Beetroot Curry

Along with usual chicken and fish curries, or dhal curry, there is one particular vegetable-based curry. Even though it isn’t the most common, it really is quite spectacular. The beetroot is cut into thin slices and cooked in the usual delicate spices of vegetable curries. The special flavour of beetroot curry is crunchy, sweet and spicy all at once and you literally cannot eat just one bite.

Read more: Most breathtaking natural sights in Sri Lanka

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