• Jog along the magnificent crescent-mooned corniche to fully appreciate Doha's gleaming modern skyscape and colourful beds of petunias; go early morning or at sunset to catch the cosmopolitan company of Doha's inhabitants.

• Try your bartering skills on the vendors in Souq Waqif; with a nose for a bargain you can find antique plates from China, prayer beads of amber, leather-tipped camel sticks and aromatic chests of cardamom from India.

• Sip mint tea at one of the many coffeeshops around the souq and try a croak on a sheesha: don't be fooled by the innocent-sounding flavours of apple, peach and strawberry - these splendid waterpipes have a high tobacco content.

• Sample the delicacies of the sea at one of Doha's many fish restaurants; after ginger squid on skewers, steaks of king fish, and white-flaked hamour wrapped in bananas leaves, you'll never look at a tin of tuna again.

• Paddle in the shallows, or lounge in a spa at one of Qatar's growing number of resorts; for those wanting a bit of history with their sun-downer, try the pyramid-shaped Sheraton, the grande dame on Doha's skyline.

• Cruise into the sunset on a dhow boat ride around Doha Bay; these characterful hand-made vessels creek and groan with each gentle wave but, as the traditional Arab fishing vessel, they know all about braving high waters.

• Play a round or two at the Doha Golf Club and be in the company of the greats; the Qatar Masters in March is an important event on the international circuit.

• Tackle a sand dune on sand-skis, a quad-bike or plain Shank's pony in the dunes south of Doha, near Mesaieed - or for those with more poetry in their souls, pick a quiet ridge for a picnic.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.