My dear travelers, welcome to the new series of travelogues in 2023. The month of April will be dedicated to the country where the future has already arrived – Qatar. At the very beginning of this series of travelogues, I would like to thank Visit Qatar for the kind invitation and hospitality. With their help, the travelogues and fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read this April were created and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy them as I truly enjoyed making them for you.

Qatar, the formal name of the State of Qatar is a country in Western Asia. It occupies the Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East. The state of Qatar shares its only land border with Saudi Arabia in the south, while the rest of the territory is surrounded by the Persian Gulf. The Gulf of Bahrain, the entrance to the Persian Gulf, separates Qatar from nearby Bahrain. The capital is Doha, home to more than 80% of the country’s population, and the land area is mostly flat, low-lying desert.

Doha is the capital city and the main cultural, social and financial center of Qatar. Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the east of the country, north of Al Wakrah and south of Al Khur, it is home to the majority of the country’s population. It is also the fastest growing city in Qatar, with over 80% of the nation’s population living in Doha or the surrounding suburbs.

How was the capital of Qatar created? Doha was founded in the 1820s as an offshoot of Al Bidda. It was officially declared the country’s capital in 1971, when Qatar gained independence from the British protectorate. As the commercial capital of Qatar and one of the emerging financial centers of the Middle East, Doha is considered a Beta Level Global City by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. Doha is home to Education City, an area dedicated to research and education, and Hamad Medical City, an administrative area for medical care.

Doha has always hosted major world events, and the latest to mark the country’s history is the famous FIFA Qatar 2022 – World Cup. This was truly a historic event for this richest country in the world and believe me it could be felt even in March of this year because everywhere there were symbols of this amazing world event of which the people of Qatar are extremely proud.

The team of the Ministry of Tourism tried their best to give me an extraordinary opportunity to experience Qatar in a completely different way where I had the possibility to travel through time and get to know the culture, heritage and sights of Qatar.

The first stop during my visit to Qatar was Heenat Salma Farm. Heenat Salma is an eco-farm and camp, located in Shahaniya, northwest of Doha. It is a revolutionary multidisciplinary project dedicated to holistic methods in agriculture, architecture and community development.

They have successfully transformed a local conventional farm into an organic permaculture center that grows desert-friendly plants and vegetables, diversifying local food production and contributing to the renewable, homegrown food supply in Qatar and beyond. The Heenat Salma Farm team is aware of the fact that as individual small companies their impact is significantly limited, but as a small community they can initiate change that encourages meaningful action across borders. In addition to agriculture, the farm is a place for hospitality, vocational training, education, craftsmanship, master classes and wellness spas – each field supports and enhances the other.

Heenat Salma Farm opened its doors in 2019, when the Caravane Earth Foundation brought together a group of dedicated experts in agronomy, architecture and water infrastructure to develop a holistic farm model and ten-year strategy aimed at transforming a conventional farm into a center for regenerative agriculture.

As the program progressed, they realized that there was an opportunity not only to support innovative positive farming techniques, but also to form a special community based on hospitality and education. When you are hosted by Heenat Salma, you will experience a holistic environment specially designed to bring you closer to a new special environment, to expose you to natural beauty and interest in a new wellness experience as well as educational activities.

Heenat Salma Farm‘s work is founded on a commitment to agriculture, climate and well-being, Heenat Salma is genuinely and deeply concerned about the ongoing deterioration of all of them. All of the farm’s activities are their best way to try to solve the problem according to their capabilities, to direct the initiatives towards a positive impact on people locally and globally. Through tangible approaches, the farm functions as a prototype as they examine and test new ways of implementing change. Heenat Salma addresses urgent issues, such as the impact of the climate crisis on immigration, through the search for sustainable solutions that lead to higher and fairer wages, increased interconnectedness, and new forms of knowledge exchange.

Guest accommodations at Heenat Salma Farm are designed to positively impact and shape the way guests feel. A fine blend of precious, natural materials creates a very special atmosphere that is both subtle and classic. The particular setting of the farm favors the tactile over the visual, creating depth through texture. Here you can experience an unusual and special experience of being in the desert.

The Heenat Salma team is fully focused on all human senses to create evocative experiences and memories for their guests who appreciate immersion in real life and human connection, as well as some good stories behind every cup of tea.

Guest accommodation at Heenat Salma Farm consists of 48 luxuriously furnished 40 square meter tents that are elegant and spacious, furnished with local handmade furniture and have an open bathroom with shower, as well as a private garden.

The Heenat Salma Farma team cultivates an aesthetic of neutral colors that are pleasing to the human eye and simply timeless. Unlike the vivid palettes and bold wallpapers of posh hotels, their fine blend of natural and precious materials creates a very special atmosphere that is subtle and classic, making guests feel as if they are in the warmth of their own home.

Working with the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Qatar University and the Ministry of Municipalities and Environment, Heenat Salma Farma strives to share the principles of organic farming with farmers, local people, landowners and policy makers. Heenat Salma practices regenerative agriculture, the practice of cultivating and maintaining vital soil. For the soil to yield vital products, it must first be alive. This is in stark contrast to the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and the industrialization of agriculture, which has led to soil erosion and water scarcity, along with a global loss of the vitality, resilience and nutritional value of the crops we eat.

Heenat Salma’s holistic methods will offer an alternative model, allowing the farm to be fully sustained without the use of any chemicals. The farm also practices simple techniques that bring animal waste, plant waste and soil into a healthy relationship, turning each element into fertility in the farm’s organism. The production of natural fertilizers, collected using what is available on the farm, can potentially eliminate dependence on chemical fertilizers, allowing the soil to move towards a natural balance and resilience.

After an interesting and pleasant stay at the farm in the morning, it was time for the next activity – Desert Safari in the Inland Sea. Yes, you read that right, you have the opportunity to discover an extraordinary desert landscape where sand dunes flow into the azure waters of the Inland Sea. This is an unusual adventure where you can travel through exciting sand dunes to Khor Al Adaid, a large tidal inlet known for its outstanding natural heritage value.

The Inland Sea or Khor Al Adaid as the locals like to call it is an extraordinary landscape with sand dunes and a seabed that will leave you wanting more. Located on the southeastern side of Qatar, this site is recognized by UNESCO as Qatar’s largest nature reserve. The reserve is home to wildlife, marine life and vegetation. Enjoy spotting turtles, flamingos, dugongs, Arabian oryx, camels and more.

According to historical records, Bedouin tribes roamed the desert, setting up camps while grazing their animals and engaging in trade. Today, this tradition remains ingrained in Qatari culture, with the annual winter camping season, or Al Enna, where locals venture into the desert in elaborate camps, returning to the land. The desert is an integral part of the local culture and boasts a surprising array of activities. From relaxing tent side to dune boating or parasailing, the desert is anything but an ordinary space painted in beige.

The impressive Inland Sea or Khor Al Adaid is one of the few places in the world where the sea encroaches on the desert. For a truly authentic desert experience, nothing beats driving over the soft dunes, before embarking on an exciting desert safari across the dunes to Khor Al Adaid, which can only be accessed by special jeeps. A favorite Qatari pastime, visitors can enjoy day, evening or night camping in the desert. Doha is waiting for you, so you can always #FeelMoreInQatar.

After an exciting experience and an unusual safari in the Inland Sea, it was time for a lunch break where I had the opportunity to visit Al Majles Resort where you can spend the night in addition to your lunch break, but due to my busy schedule I was not able to spend more time. Staying in this exceptional resort is fascinating and you have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the blue sea and soft sand.

My dear adventurers, we have come to the end of this first special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Qatar where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country on the Arabian Peninsula. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of Visit Qatar and Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Qatari culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Qatar.

I would like to especially thank the staff of the Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel for their warm welcome and hosting me in their property. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, where I felt the warmth of home!

People say that yellow is color of optimism and happiness and attracts positive energy, so I decided to take my FPM Milano Bank Zip Spinner 55 glacier grey cabin suitcase with grey leather details on my trip to Doha which brought me good luck this year. Not only is it practical, lightweight, but it’s also a photogenic suitcase that many people asked me about at the airport where I bought it.

FPM Milano luggage offers travelers practicality and style, all in one trolley and backpack. Designed by Mark Sadler, these lightweight aluminum-clad and reinforced suitcases are inspired by vintage trunks, purpose-built to give you the durability you need on your travels. The combination of Avante-Garde materials and Italian design motifs give these FPM suitcases a robust and secure look.

This incredible FPM Milano Bank Zip Spinner 55 is made of 100% Makrolon© polycarbonate. The 4 wheels guarantee great stability and smoothness. The suitcase has a TSA lock incorporated (ideal for travelers to the USA) combined with a zipper closure with water resistant treatment. The elastic belt comes with the suitcase and closes with the iconic butterfly lock. The two handles are in Italian fine leather and are embellished with the FPM logo. The internal organization comes with a soft elastic belt with a buckle with FPM logo engraved on one side, and a zip pocket in the other side.ideal for 1-2 day trip.

This cheerful yellow butterfly elastic belt has changed the look of this trolley and it is an interesting accessories. You can choose your favorite color red of yellow and I believe you will be satisfied like me.

If you want to stay up to date and find out which models of suitcases and travel accessories the FPM Milano brand has in its offer, visit their official online store and follow them on the social networks Facebook and Instagram.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with companies that are the very top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank the Visit Qatar for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual Qatari culture in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about Qatar and the presentation of the capital Doha, which adorns the heart of this unusual country on the Arabian Peninsula? Have you had the chance to visit Qatar so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

In the following stories from Doha, we will discover some other interesting sights that you should visit if your journey takes you to this faraway land!

Greetings from Doha,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the Qatar Tourism and Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Arthur
Arthur
1 year ago

Qatar may be small, but it is a country that is developing at a high speed. I honestly never thought of visiting Doha because I honestly thought they didn’t have any special offer for tourists… I have to admit I was wrong. I’m planning to go to Tanzania in November this year and I’m going via Doha, I’ll try to do a layover in Doha to at least visit Doha for 24 hours because this looks really interesting!

Oliver
Oliver
1 year ago

Doha is really unusual and I must admit that I, like Arthur, thought there was only an airport in Doha because I always see people flying over and moving on, while in Istanbul, for example, people take a break. This post of yours proves that a great injustice has been done to Doha. Your pictures are really amazing and it looks like you had a great time! I’m sure you’ve created other stories that will convince many to visit Doha, even for a short time!

Theo
Theo
1 year ago

FIFA 2022 Qatar proved that Qatar is ready to show a new face and attract new tourists. They managed to build a new and serious infrastructure for tourists in a short time, which is really impressive. On the other hand, as I can see, they have a very beautiful old part of the city, so tourists have the opportunity to see two faces of Doha and travel from the past, present and feel the spirit of the future in Doha! Wonderful story, thank you Marko so much! When will travelogues from China will be published on Mr.M blog? Your adventure… Read more »

Hendrik
Hendrik
1 year ago

I worked in Qatar for 4 years and it was an interesting period of my life! It is a completely different country from the others in the Middle East, but it is developing and tourists have a lot to see and feel. Doha will be the city of the future in a few years because it can be seen that it is on the right track! I am glad that my favorite adventurer found time to visit this unusual country! I look forward to your next stories from Doha!

Günter
Günter
1 year ago

Lieber Marko, das ist wirklich ein ausgezeichneter Reisebericht! Ich habe Ihre ausführlichen Beschreibungen der Hauptstadt von Katar genossen und möchte Doha bald besuchen. Sind Hotels in Doha teuer? Wenn ich zum Beispiel an eine Reise von 5/6 Tagen denke, reicht es aus, 800 bis 1000 Euro für ein Hotel bereitzustellen, oder brauche ich mehr Geld. Dies ist nur das Budget für das Hotel, ich habe die Kosten für das Flugticket nicht berücksichtigt. Vielen Dank für diesen wunderbaren Reisebericht! Mit FG

Klaus
Klaus
1 year ago

Katar ist wirklich ein Land der Zukunft, es ist eine besondere Kultur mit einem besonderen Erbe. Viele denken, dass sie nur Kamele, Falken und überschüssiges Öl und Treibstoff haben, aber die Wahrheit ist ganz anders. Sie sind äußerst kluge Leute und wissen genau, was sie tun. Ich habe Doha mindestens 10 Mal besucht!