QUAINTLY OATAR

BECAUSE QATAR IS ALWAYS FULL OF STARRY SURPRISES.

- Shilpi Madan

I cannot decide what was my best Qatar moment: Turning 360 degree at a breath-defying height in a free spinning gondola in the daredevil Shamal ride at Lusail Winter Wonderland, wading through the inland sea (yes!) - Khor al Adaid - hemmed in by the sandy dunes, strolling along the jewelled-blue of the Corniche sipping karak chai, feeling like a queen at the luxurious gold and blue tipped Yasmine Palace, or soaking up the sights and sounds of the busy Souk Waqif in the evening. From moonlit nights to luxury wellness locations and adventure pursuits - Qatar brings in all for a perfect family vacation. And yes, every location here is a gorgeous Instagram bait. Pack the following into your Qatar itinerary:

DO THE ROLLING SAND DUNES

Jump into your Land Cruiser for an electrifying experience of dune bashing across the Qatar deserts. Humps of smooth sand stretch out endlessly in the sun, as you storm into the terrain with sprays arcing off the wheels at a dizzying speed. Retreating on the slopes, going zig-zag across the undulations, and savouring the desert sunset are the key moments to make time for. Khor al Adaid brings in a scenic surprise. Fabulous for glamping, the inland sea marks the entrance to the Persian Gulf and is located at the Qatar border. It is a curious ecosystem with turtles and desert foxes at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the few places in the world where the sea water makes its way into the desert. Picnic, spot the oryx at the reserve on your way back and revel in the cool breeze as the sun dips.

DARE YOURSELF INTO COOL RIDES