An expanded partnership between British Airways and Qatar Airways sees more daily flights departing from London for Doha, making it easier than ever to rack up Avios and Tier Points – and explore even more destinations. 

What’s more, you can link your Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club accounts to transfer Avios between the two, and combine balances to claim rewards offered by each loyalty programme. To celebrate this partnership (which delivers up to nine flights a day from Heathrow and Gatwick), we explore Doha and beyond.

You might not know it yet, but Doha is the springboard to a holiday of a lifetime. With a sparkling cityscape created by some of the world’s greatest architects, the Qatar capital towers over a traditional dhow harbour, Arabian horse stables and falcon souqs, before giving way to the vast expanse of shimmering desert. Now, as the country prepares to host the World Cup Qatar 2022™, the city is developing at an unprecedented pace, rapidly making it one of the most exciting destinations in the Middle East. To discover the real Doha, add these spots to your itinerary…

Museum of Islamic Art
Discover the rich history of Islamic art inside this geometrically patterned museum, nestled amidst parkland on an artificial peninsula at one end of the Corniche near the traditional dhow harbour.

Souq Waqif
Find traditional spices, gold jewellery, and even falcons for sale at this marketplace built on the site of Doha’s century-old trading market on the banks of the Wadi Musheireb. It’s a little slice of history amidst the city’s towering skyscrapers.

National Museum of Qatar
French ‘starchitect’ Jean Nouvel took inspiration from the form of a desert rose when designing Qatar’s new national museum. Inside, you’ll find immersive exhibitions that bring the country’s heritage and culture to life.

And beyond...
Doha is more than a destination. It’s also a gateway to some of the world’s most exciting countries, from the palm-fringed beaches of Zanzibar to the bustling cities of Vietnam. Fly British Airways from London to Doha and connect on a Qatar Airways flight (as it’s all part of the oneworld^® alliance, you’ll get Avios and Tier Points for the whole journey). Wondering where to head to once your Doha fix is done? Say no more… 

Doha to… Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a quintessential tropical paradise, but there’s more to Tanzania’s most famous island than turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Visit historical Stone Town, where you can settle into the rhythm of island life, join locals to watch the sunset at Forodhani Gardens, and marvel at the imposing carved timber doors of the House of Wonders. You can also spot endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkeys on safari in the lush forests of Jozani-Chwaka National Park, or go on a spice tour to discover the infamous history of spice trading on the island.

Doha to…Vietnam
With everything from vibrant mega-cities to tropical beaches and highlands with unexplored forests and waterfalls, it’s worth taking your time to discover Vietnam. Explore the neon-lit beach strip and Han riverfront with its fire-breathing Dragon Bridge in Da Nang. Wander the historic Old Quarter and fill up on bun ca (fish noodles) and nem cua be (crab spring rolls) in the capital Hanoi. Or head south to Ho Chi Minh City and explore former Saigon on a motorbike tour through the city’s bustling streets.

Doha to… Phuket
Phuket is known for its tropical beaches, bars and resorts – including Hat Bang Thao, the island’s longest beach and the towering limestone seascapes of Ao Phang-Nga – but it’s worth venturing beyond the coast. The capital of Phuket Town offers colourful streets lined with 19th-century shophouses in the Sino-Portuguese style, and the Thai Hua Museum, which is set in a 1930s manor house. It’s also one of Unesco’s World Leading Cities of Gastronomy. Make sure to try a Phuket-style breakfast of dim sum and vermicelli, and tuck into traditional Peranakan and Baba dishes in Old Town Phuket.

Doha to… Bali
The white beaches that dot the coast of Bali have made the island one of the world’s most popular destinations, with everything from family-friendly beach resorts and luxury hideaways to the beach-club-lined streets of Seminyak and Kuta and the wild surf beaches of the south. Away from the sands, explore the island’s culture, crafts and traditional dance in Ubud, or head to the east and west to discover rice fields and ancient temples – with more than 10,000 temples scattered around Bali, it’s easy to see where its nickname, Island of the Gods, comes from.

Together, we fly to Doha up to 59 times per week with flights from both London Heathrow and London Gatwick. Book your flights to Doha and find out more about onward travel to 65 destinations with Qatar Airways.

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This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips