Doha

This beautiful landscaped area on the corniche between the Ministry of Interior and the National Theatre. It has an art gallery, open air theatre, water features, shops and a cafeteria as well as children's rides and attractions which include boats, a ferris wheel, miniature train and skateboarding half-pipe. The park is very busy in the evenings and at weekends when it is popular with picnickers.

Popular with walkers, joggers, roller-bladers and picnickers, Doha's 7 km landscaped corniche is a beautiful place to relax. Recent work has extended the paved and parking areas still further, and it is now possible to walk along the shoreline almost the whole way from the Ras Abu Aboud flyover to the pyramid-shaped Sheraton hotel. Palm Tree Island can be reached by dhow from the jetty on the corniche near the Sheraton.

The weaponry museum in Al Luqta is not normally open to the general public but can be visited by arrangement or with a tour group. It houses an amazing display of gold and silver swords and daggers from the region as well as weapons and armour dating back to the 16th century. Each exhibit is labeled in English and Arabic, and some of the displays include relevant photographs or paintings

The Qatar Museum of Islamic art, under the umbrella of QMA is the flagship project of His Highness, the Emir of Qatar. Situated on a man-made island on the corniche, it was designed by I.M.Pei - world renowned architect and designer of Louvre Pyramid in Paris. The Museum of Islamic Art is dedicated to being the foremost museum of Islamic art in the world, and as well a centre of education and information in the field of the arts of the Islamic world. Timings: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs -10.30am to 5.30 pm, Fridays -2.00 pm to 8.00 pm and Tuesdays are closed. Tel.: 44224444

It is ideally located behind the central markets just off the Salwa Rd, the animal markets trade in camels and sheep as well as in chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, caged birds and domestic pets. Fodder and grain are also sold here, the huge cylindrical bales of straw mostly imported by trailer from Saudi Arabia. Hunting falcons are sold prior to and during the season (October to March) although the most valuable birds usually change hands privately. Shops selling falconry equipment are also located in the Thursday & Friday market complex nearby.