QATAR
DOHA
Dubai? So last year. Skip the man-made islands and go here
When to go: October to April
Where to stay: For serious world travelers (and Vegas-caliber partyers), the new frontier is Doha, Qatar, where the W Hotel (it has swings in the lobby!) ha just put down roots against a fairytale Arabian Nights-style cityscape. Thanks to indulgent 400-thread-count seets and swanky amenities galore, the WOW suites should do trendy justice to their name
What not to miss: Visit I.M. Pei's Museum of Islamic Art (the 91-year-old architect has deemed it his last major building), check out various cultural ruins in and around Doha, shop in souqs, and stroll or bike seaside along the Corniche, an area of Doha considered one of the most beautiful places in the Middle East. Spend an afternoon watching camel racesin Al Shahaniya, where you'll see robot jockeys, then get "Bliss"-ed out in a V.I.P. couples spa suite. With outfitters like Gulf Adventures, visit singing sand dunes (Qataris used to believe the eerie songs were the cries of evil djinns, or spirits) and Khor Al-Adaid, the "inland seal," for diving, dune bashing, or Bedouin-style camping and BBQs
QATAR
DOHA
Dubai? So last year. Skip the man-made islands and go here
When to go: October to April
Where to stay: For serious world travelers (and Vegas-caliber partyers), the new frontier is Doha, Qatar, where the W Hotel (it has swings in the lobby!) ha just put down roots against a fairytale Arabian Nights-style cityscape. Thanks to indulgent 400-thread-count seets and swanky amenities galore, the WOW suites should do trendy justice to their name
What not to miss: Visit I.M. Pei's Museum of Islamic Art (the 91-year-old architect has deemed it his last major building), check out various cultural ruins in and around Doha, shop in souqs, and stroll or bike seaside along the Corniche, an area of Doha considered one of the most beautiful places in the Middle East. Spend an afternoon watching camel racesin Al Shahaniya, where you'll see robot jockeys, then get "Bliss"-ed out in a V.I.P. couples spa suite. With outfitters like Gulf Adventures, visit singing sand dunes (Qataris used to believe the eerie songs were the cries of evil djinns, or spirits) and Khor Al-Adaid, the "inland seal," for diving, dune bashing, or Bedouin-style camping and BBQs
