DOHA, the capital city of Qatar, is where you will experience the best of Arabian hospitality. Despite being the business and administrative centre, and the place where some of the world's wealthiest people reside, Doha is far from being snobbish and unfriendly.

Acclaimed to be the sports capital of Asia, Doha is where tourist action is increasingly being shifted to from nearby Dubai. Little wonder. For one, language is not a problem. Although Arabic is the official language, English is widely used.

Second, the delightful mix of modern and historical landscape makes for a picture-perfect holiday. On the one hand, Doha and its pristine sand dunes promise the typical Arabian adventure. On the other, the futuristic architecture dotting the skyline makes for a bold, modern cityscape.

One of the most delightful things about Doha is its weather. The country has a moderate desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The temperature rarely dips below 7 deg C in the latter. Rainfall is scarce, falling mainly between October and March.

Doha offers something for everyone. Because it is a compact city, a few days will give you a camcorder full of wonderful memories.

Must see, must do

• A visit to Doha is incomplete without talking a stroll down The Corniche, which stretches over 7km on the Doha bay, with rows and rows of palm trees lining the pavements. Loved by locals and tourists alike, the Corniche is hailed as an ideal place to relax and watch the world go by.
  
  
• Doha Zoo, which lies 20km away from Doha along Salwa Road, boasts an impressive collection of animals, reptiles and birds from all over the world. The zoo comprises air-conditioned animal dens, keeper's service areas, grottos for nocturnal and reptile exhibits, and a desert zoo area. A network of walkways and bridges allows close viewing of the wildlife while ensuring visitors' safety.

• For the enthusiastic golfer, a visit to the Doha Golf Club is a must. This 18-hole, 7,181-yard, par-72 championship course was designed by Peter Harradine, and has played host to several major international golfing championships.
  
  
• Let the shopaholic in you come alive at the five-storey City Centre Doha, home to some 350 retail shops.

In addition to popular restaurants such as KFC and Burger King, there is also hypermarket Carrefour, two ice-skating rinks, 14 cinemas, and an amazing variety of men's, women's and children's clothing - all under one roof.

Have fun and don't forget to bring your credit cards along!

Visit www.qatarairways.com or contact the Qatar Airways (Singapore) office at 6732-9277 for more information on Doha.