00:00I'm Lily Dauss and this is Grand Voyager.
00:05From my base in Qatar,
00:07I travel the world to discover incredible places
00:10filled with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way I meet the people, taste the flavours
00:17and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:30I'm in Qatar, a nation known for its striking architecture,
00:34world-class museums and proud heritage.
00:37It's a place of natural beauty from its stunning coastline
00:41to its vast desert landscapes.
00:43Salaam and welcome to Qatar.
00:46In this episode, I'll be discovering the people, traditions and experiences
00:51that 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,
01:02from its centuries-old markets to its modern neighbourhoods.
01:06It's a place shaped by history and change.
01:09Walking through the capital,
01:11you really notice the beautiful buildings
01:14and 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 favourite places to explore reflects the country's seafaring past.
01:27This is the Mina District, a pastel-coloured 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 colours, 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.
02:08It's a place where you can explore the harbour 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.
02:25Right in the centre of Doha is Souq Waqif, one of the city's historic markets.
02:31With its narrow alleyways, traditional buildings and cafes, Souq Waqif is the perfect place to wander around and get a real feel for the city.
02:41Welcome to Souq 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.
02:59This area is the Sadu market and it's a place where you're going to find rugs, you'll find pillows,
03:05but you need to really pay attention to the details because it's more than just colour.
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.
03:26Souq 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, it's where we buy all the ingredients for amazing food and also for medicinal reasons.
03:49The spice market is packed with items like black lemons, often called a secret ingredient in Qatari cooking.
03:56From spices and souvenirs to clothes and kitchenware, every part of Souq has its own character.
04:03And the deeper you go, the more there is to discover.
04:07Just nearby is the Falcon Souq, a place where falcon owners come to buy, train and care for their birds.
04:14Welcome to the Falcon Souq.
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 Barari 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 generally 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 colors.
05:42Each villa opens onto its own outdoor terrace, complete with a private swimming pool, perfect for relaxing among the dunes.
05:50Everything is designed to feel calm and simple. The colors, the textures, it all fits with the desert landscape.
05:57One of the best parts of any luxury retreat is always the breakfast.
06:02And here it's a mix of Arabic and international flavors.
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.
06:16Spanning around 1,800 square kilometers, 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.
06:39It'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 and 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 and 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, including grilled meat, hummus and salad.
07:54It's a simple setup, but it feels really special.
07:58And the views across the desert are simply breathtaking.
08:03Next, 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.
08:33From up here, everything feels different.
08:36The 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.
08:59Thank you so much.
09:01Yes, my pleasure.
09:02The best time.
09:03You're always welcome to come back.
09:04I will.
09:05I don't know anyone else.
09:06Thank you.
09:07Thank you, thank you.
09:08Just 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.
09:17Torba Farm is one of Qatar's most unique hidden gems.
09:22It's a place for 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 clothes and even help with feeding.
09:38Friendly and curious, they're surprisingly gentle and relaxed.
09:42Inside the farm's greenhouses, produce is grown by the staff for the on-site restaurant.
09:49Visitors like me can also get hands-on.
09:52And today I'm picking some vegetables myself.
09:55There are even chicken coops where you can collect fresh eggs.
10:00The food you collect can be taken straight to the restaurant's kitchen, creating a true farm-to-table experience.
10:07Muhammad 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, aromatic plants, medicinal plants and ornamental plants.
10:28And we've built the lights in a way where they're subdued, they're part of the language of the landscape and not intrusive to the eye.
10:37Muhammad's passion for the farm is clear.
10:40As we walk through the gardens, Muhammad shares more of his vision and explains how the plants are able to thrive with minimal irrigation.
10:49Back on the paths, soft lighting guides the way.
10:52Muhammad then leads me to the farm's experimental lab, where flowers and plants are turned into essential oils and natural remedies.
11:01Over here we have one of the most rare endangered plants native to the north of Qatar, called Bulusaria crispa.
11:09In the lab, the focus is on transforming what's grown here into a wide range of products.
11:15It's a process that blends traditional knowledge with experimentation.
11:20After a fascinating tour of the farm, Muhammad and I sit down together to taste some of the vegetables I picked earlier.
11:28I love pumpkin soup and this is definitely the best pumpkin soup I've ever had.
11:32The food reflects everything I've seen here. Thoughtful, carefully prepared and deeply connected to this place.
11:39What an incredible way to end my experience here in Qatar, my home base.
11:46From flying over sand dunes to experiencing homegrown cuisine, I couldn't think of a better way to explore.
11:53But now, time for my next adventure.
11:58Much going on is no end suspend you, this evening, I trabajo on time with primarilyidian guides that open your experience.
12:03What time is it supposed to be?
12:08It's just a buzam musician and is dead.
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