00:00I'm Lily Douse and this is Grand Voyager.
00:05From my base in Qatar, I travel the world to discover incredible places filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way, I meet the people, taste the flavors and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:30I'm in Qatar, a nation known for its striking architecture, world class museums and proud heritage.
00:38It's a place of natural beauty from its stunning coastline to its vast desert landscapes.
00:44Salaam and welcome to Qatar.
00:46In this episode, I'll be discovering the people, traditions and experiences that make this country so unique.
00:54There's so much to see right on my doorstep and I can't wait to explore more.
00:59Doha is the city I call home from its centuries old markets to its modern neighborhoods.
01:06It's a place shaped by history and change.
01:09Walking through the capital, you really notice the beautiful buildings and the heritage inspired details.
01:16It's a modern city, but one that hasn't lost its roots.
01:20A balance you feel as you move through it.
01:23One of my favorite places to explore reflects the country's seafaring past.
01:27This is the Mina district, a pastel colored area set along Doha's historic port.
01:33Once part of the city's docks, it's now a creative space filled with murals, walkways and hidden corners.
01:40Everything feels thoughtfully designed, from the layout and architecture to the stairs and viewpoints.
01:46Everything in the Mina district feels bright and calm.
01:49The colors, the sea, the cafes truly brings this place to life.
01:53You can see why it's one of the most picturesque places in Doha.
01:57The Mina district is home to more than 100 shops, over 50 cafes and a traditional seafood market.
02:09It's a place where you can explore the harbor or stop for a quick treat with a view of the water.
02:15It's a great example of how the city is reimagining its historic spaces.
02:20Doha is full of places like this, where the past and present come together.
02:26Right in the center of Doha is Suk Waqif, one of the city's historic markets.
02:32With its narrow alleyways, traditional buildings and cafes, Suk Waqif is the perfect place to wander around and get a real feel for the city.
02:41Welcome to Suk Waqif. We're going to smell, we're going to see, we're going to explore and enjoy some culture.
02:46Sounds like we have a lot to do. Let's go.
02:48Khalifa Al Haroun is a Qatari entrepreneur who's helping shape the creative scene here.
02:53He's giving me a tour of some of the market's key spots.
02:57This area is the Sedu market.
03:02And it's a place where you're going to find rugs, you'll find pillows, but you need to really pay attention to the details because it's more than just color.
03:09So you'll see lots of different patterns that are geometric and they have different meanings to them,
03:14such as the zigzagging patterns over there that represent the dunes.
03:18And then an open diamond would represent the stars.
03:21And if you saw two connected diamonds, that represents the sea and water.
03:26Suk Waqif is a place to explore with something happening around every corner.
03:31As we walk through the market, the sounds, smells and people really bring this place to life.
03:37So I just wanted to welcome you to the spice market, a place that has great smells, amazing aromas.
03:45And then, of course, this is where we buy all the ingredients for amazing food and also for medicinal reasons.
03:50The spice market is packed with items like black lemons, often called a secret ingredient in Qatari cooking.
03:57From spices and souvenirs to clothes and kitchenware, every part of the soup has its own character.
04:04And the deeper you go, the more there is to discover.
04:07Just nearby is the falcon souk, a place where falcon owners come to buy, train and care for their birds.
04:14Welcome to the falcon souk.
04:16This over here is a beautiful example of a white falcon and they're super important to us.
04:21They're our hunter friends.
04:23They're the ones back in the day that would help us to capture our food and we would share our meals with them.
04:29Falcons remain an important part of the country's heritage.
04:32Holding a falcon is a special experience.
04:35It's easy to see why they are so highly valued here.
04:38It's a fitting way to end our time exploring this traditional market.
04:44Just an hour south of Duhar is Sealine Beach, one of the few places in the world where the desert meets the ocean.
04:52People come here to explore the dunes and drive along the sand.
04:57Close by is the Inland Sea, a UNESCO recognized nature reserve.
05:02Hidden within this remote landscape is a luxury desert retreat.
05:06The outpost al-Burari is inspired by Qatar's nomadic past, offering dessert camping with modern comfort.
05:13It's a place to disconnect from city life and reconnect with nature.
05:18Walking in here, it genuinely feels like another world.
05:21You're surrounded by desert, nothing but dunes in every direction.
05:26The resort features 21 private villas, each designed to feel calm and spacious.
05:32The interiors are simple and elegant, with soft fabrics, earthy tones and materials that reflect the desert's colours.
05:41Each villa opens onto its own outdoor terrace, complete with a private swimming pool, perfect for relaxing among the dunes.
05:49Everything is designed to feel calm and simple. The colours, the textures, it all fits with the desert landscape.
05:58One of the best parts of any luxury retreat is always the breakfast.
06:02And here, it's a mix of Arabic and international flavours.
06:06In the resort's signature restaurant, you will get a generous spread of dishes that are perfect for sharing.
06:12It's a great way to start the day before heading out for a desert adventure.
06:20Spanning around 1,800 square kilometres, this desert is vast and it's easy to lose your sense of scale out here.
06:28To explore it properly, I'm joining Bassam from Discover Qatar for a desert driving experience.
06:34Driving through the desert is a completely different way to experience this landscape.
06:40It's a bumpy ride, but that's all part of the fun.
06:43The shape of the dunes, it's really nice.
06:46Most of the people come here to do a picnic and do fishing, swim, drive in the buggy, ride the camel.
06:59It's really amazing, nice place.
07:02As we drive deeper into the desert, we come across a beautiful inland water area.
07:07And Bassam and I stop to take in the views.
07:10Here, this is the place, it's very nice to store for a picture.
07:15It's really nice because the water is coming from underground.
07:20And all the Qatari people, they love to come here.
07:23It's really nice place to do safari.
07:27This natural water area shows how varied this desert landscape really is.
07:32It's peaceful and incredibly still.
07:34A perfect place to pause before continuing deeper into the desert.
07:39After a fantastic safari drive, I end my experience with lunch in the desert.
07:44A table is set among the dunes with traditional Arabic seating and a spread of local dishes,
07:51including grilled meat, hummus and salad.
07:55It's a simple setup, but it feels really special.
07:58And the views across the desert are simply breathtaking.
08:02Next, I'm meeting one of Qatar's most experienced air sports pilots.
08:08Today, Reem is at the club's desert camp, preparing for a flight that will take us out over the dunes.
08:15I'm very excited for today, my first time on a gyrocopter.
08:20I bet you're going to be amazed by how this thing works and how this thing flies.
08:25It'll be different than any flying experience you've ever had.
08:28From up here, everything feels different.
08:35The desert stretches out in every direction.
08:38And the sense of scale is incredible.
08:41Flying with Reem, I feel completely at ease.
08:45Her calm approach and confidence in the air make the experience feel safe and relaxed.
08:51As the sun begins to set, it's time to head back to base.
08:55Seeing the desert from the air is something I won't forget.
09:00Thank you so much.
09:01Yeah, it's my pleasure.
09:02The best time.
09:03You're always welcome to come back.
09:04I will.
09:05I dare anyone else.
09:09Just outside the city is a very different side of Qatar.
09:13This is Torba Farm, a lush green space in the middle of the desert.
09:18Torba Farm is one of Qatar's most unique hidden gems.
09:22It's a place where organic farming, local produce and sustainable living all come together.
09:28I've come here to explore this magical space.
09:31There are also animals that call the farm home.
09:35Visitors can get cloaks and even help with feeding.
09:38Friendly and curious, they're surprisingly gentle and relaxed.
09:42Inside the farm's greenhouses,
09:45produce is grown by the staff for the on-site restaurant.
09:50Visitors like me can also get hands-on,
09:52and today I'm picking some vegetables myself.
09:56There are even chicken coops where you can collect fresh eggs.
10:00The food you collect can be taken straight to the restaurant's kitchen,
10:04creating a true farm-to-table experience.
10:08Mohammed Ali Al-Khattah is the driving force behind the farm,
10:12and I meet him just as the farm's lights come on.
10:15We are currently in the edible garden.
10:18Across every part of this road we see diverse plants,
10:25aromatic plants, medicinal plants and ornamental plants.
10:28We've built the lights in a way where they're subdued,
10:32they're part of the language of the landscape,
10:34and not intrusive to the eye.
10:37Mohammed's passion for the farm is clear.
10:40As we walk through the gardens,
10:42Mohammed shares more of his vision,
10:44and explains how the plants are able to thrive with minimal irrigation.
10:48Back on the paths, soft lighting guides the way.
10:51Mohammed then leads me to the farm's experimental lab,
10:55where flowers and plants are turned into essential oils and natural remedies.
11:01Over here we have one of the most rare endangered plants
11:05native to the north of Qatar, called Bulusaria crispa.
11:09In the lab, the focus is on transforming what's grown here
11:12into a wide range of products.
11:15It's a process that blends traditional knowledge with experimentation.
11:20After a fascinating tour of the farm,
11:22Mohammed and I sit down together,
11:24to taste some of the vegetables I picked earlier.
11:28I love pumpkin soup,
11:30and this is definitely the best pumpkin soup I've ever had.
11:32The food reflects everything I've seen here.
11:35Thoughtful, carefully prepared,
11:37and deeply connected to this place.
11:40What an incredible way to end my experience here in Qatar,
11:45my home base.
11:47From flying over sand dunes,
11:49to experiencing homegrown cuisine,
11:51I couldn't think of a better way to explore.
11:54But now, time for my next adventure.
11:56Please stop doing your journey!
11:57I am going to take a look at the home of sponge針.
12:00I am going to bust my heart in the morning,
12:01and after my next adventure!
12:02I am going to go out for the home of SpongeBob.
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