Qatar

Qatar is compact, calm and easy: almost everything worth seeing is in or near Doha, a modern capital curving around a bay. The waterfront Corniche links the Museum of Islamic Art, the restored lanes of Souq Waqif and the striking National Museum, while the towers of West Bay glitter across the water at night.

Three or four days is enough for Doha’s museums and souqs, an evening at The Pearl or Katara, and a desert safari to Khor Al Adaid, where dunes run down to a shallow inlet of the sea. Doha also makes an excellent stopover: with direct flights from many Indian cities and onward connections across Europe, Africa and the Americas, many travellers break a long journey here for two nights.

Qatar suits families, culture lovers and anyone who wants a quieter alternative to Dubai. Doha has a large Indian community and no shortage of vegetarian restaurants, and hotels are used to Indian guests. We plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings, leaving the hottest hours for the hotel pool or the air-conditioned museums.