- Details
- Itinerary
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Discover exotic wonders and breathtaking landscapes with MSC Cruises as it takes you through the cultural and architectural treasures of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This destination evokes oriental charm, landscapes set between the turquoise sea and the warm desert sands. Where once there was nothing but desert, today you’ll find the world’s tallest buildings, most luxurious hotels and boldest architecture cohabiting with historic palaces and relics of a long and rich Arab history.
Includes:
- Round-trip flight departing from Montreal to Dubai and returning from Doha
- Flight between Dubai and Doha
- 2 nights of pre-cruise accommodation in Dubai in 5* hotels
- 3 nights of post-cruise accommodation in Doha in 5* hotels
- 7-night cruise aboard the MSC Euribia
- Meals, shows, and entertainment on board
- Easyplus drink package including service charges on the ship
- Wi-Fi (1 device per person) on the ship
- Gratuities for the cruise
- 26 meals: 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners
- Visits as mentioned in the itinerary:
- Full-day tour in Dubai
- Visit to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Visit to the Museum of the Future
- Visit to Blue Waters Island
- Tour of Doha
- National Museum of Qatar
- Visit to the Souk Waqif
- Visit to the Katara cultural village
- One-day excursion to Bahrain
- Visit to the Grand Mosque Al Fateh
- Visit to Qala’at al-Bahrain
- Visit to the camel farm
- Visit to Bab Al Bahrain
- Visit to the Manama Souk
- Tour of Abu Dhabi
- Visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Visit to the Emirates Heritage Club
- Visit to Qasr Al Watan
- Visit to the Louvre
- Visit to Sir Bani Yas in a safari vehicle to archaeological sites
- Visit to Education City in Doha
- Visit to the Al Shaqab equestrian club
- Quick visit to the Villaggio mall
- Visit to Barzan Tower
- Visit to Al Zubarah
- Full-day tour in Dubai
- Transfers
- Visa for Qatar
- Services of French-speaking local guides
- Services of a Gendroncruises group leader
- Protection offered by the travel agent’s customer compensation fund
- Taxes
Not included:
- Beverages during land portions and excursions
- Meals other than those mentioned
- Luggage fees and seat selection with the airline if applicable
Traveling to Qatar promises a unique experience, combining tradition and modernity. Whether you are looking for culture, adventure, relaxation or entertainment, you will find what you are looking for in Qatar. Here are some reasons to visit this Middle Eastern country.
Culture: Qatar has a rich historical and artistic heritage that you can discover through its many museums, monuments and souks. You can admire masterpieces of Islamic art at the Doha Museum of Islamic Art, explore the country’s history at the Qatar National Museum, or shop in the Souq Waqif, a traditional market where you will find local products, spices, jewelry and souvenirs.
Adventure: This country offers you the opportunity to experience thrills in its desert and sea. You can drive a 4 4 on the sand dunes or slide on a board on the sandy slopes. You can also go kitesurfing, jet skiing or scuba diving on the coast of Qatar, where you can observe colorful fish, corals and wrecks.
Relaxation: Qatar invites you to relax in its heavenly beaches, luxurious spas and charming hotels. You can enjoy the sun and the sea on Al Wakrah beach, pamper yourself in a hammam, an oriental steam bath, or stay in a boutique hotel, a small hotel that offers personalized service and original decoration.
Entertainment: A variety of fun and cultural activities to have fun. You can watch a falconry show, an ancestral art practiced by the Bedouins, visit the zoological park of Al Khor, where you can see exotic animals.
Qatar is therefore a destination that will surprise and seduce you with its many facets.
Main cities
- Doha: the dynamic capital, known for its modern skyscrapers, traditional markets (souks), museums, and lively waterfront.
- Al Wakrah: a coastal city south of Doha, with a beautiful corniche, fish markets and a relaxed maritime atmosphere.
- Al Khor: famous for its fishing port, Al Khor Nature Park, and Al Bayt Stadium, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
- Rayyan: known for the Aspire Zone sports complex, home to world-class sports facilities.
- Al Rayyan: a growing city, home to the Mall of Qatar and the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Itinerary:
Flight from Montreal to Doha
Flight from Doha to Dubai.
Reception at Dubai airport and transfer to your hotel.
Assistance during the transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day tour of Dubai with a private French-speaking guide:
- Photo stop at the Dubai Frame
- Outside pass by the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall
- Photo stop at Jumeirah Beach and Burj Al Arab
- Visit to the Madinat Jumeirah Souk
- Photo stop at the Palm Jumeirah’s Pointe and one-way ride on the monorail
- Drive through Dubai Marina and JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence)
- Visit to the Museum of the Future with general admission ticket
- Photo stop at La Mer
- Visit to Bluewaters Island
Return to the hotel at the end of the day.
Free dinner ($).
Breakfast and lunch included.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free morning.
Late morning, transfer from the hotel to the port for cruise check-in.
Departure: 7 PM
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Arrival: 8 AM
Day excursion: 9 AM to 5 PM with free time for dinner ($).
The sightseeing tour of Doha highlights the contrasts between the old and the new in this growing and exciting city.
We begin with a visit to the new National Museum of Qatar, which gives voice to the unique history of Qatar and its people, from the earliest times to the present day and into the future. Designed to be both immersive and experiential, visitors can expect to discover a rich environment. Organized into three “chapters”: Beginnings, Life in Qatar, and Modern History of Qatar, each theme is presented through eleven very unique galleries. Spanning 1.5 km, visitors journey through an exciting mix of enveloping environments and captivating narratives that engage all the senses.
Next, we continue our exploration of the traditional part of Doha at the Souq Waqif Heritage Market: the falcon souk, the spice souk, a sensory delight with a multitude of cooking spices, herbs, rose petals, and incense, the textile and gold souk, and the art galleries.
Proceed to the new landmarks of Doha, along the Corniche (photo stop), the West Bay district to admire the towers and skyscrapers: Doha Tower and government buildings. Head to the Katara cultural village (mosques, amphitheater, and sculptures) and The Pearl-Qatar, Qanat Quartier where Venetian charm meets Arabian chic.
Departure: 6 PM
Breakfast and dinner included.
Arrival: 8 AM
Day trip from 9 AM to 6 PM
Visit the Al-Fateh Grand Mosque, visit Qal’at al-Bahrain, camel farm, photo stop at the Tree of Life, burial mounds, photo stop at the financial harbor, visit Bab Al Bahrain, visit Manama Souk.
Departure: 7 PM
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Arrival: 7 AM
Day trip to Abu Dhabi with free dinner ($) The Abu Dhabi tour includes transportation, guide, and entry tickets to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirate Heritage Club, Qasr Al Watan, and the Louvre.
Return to the ship in the late afternoon.
Departure: 9 PM
Arrival: 8 AM
Day trips with free time for lunch ($)
You will take the ferry at 9:55 AM. The transfer lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Afterwards, you will board a Safari vehicle and visit archaeological sites. Enjoy a free period for lunch ($) and then return to the port with the ferry.
Departure: 6 PM
Breakfast and dinner included.
Arrival: 9 AM
Free day.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Disembarkation from the ship and transfer to the airport for your flight to Doha.
Welcome at Doha airport and transfer to your hotel.
Assistance during the transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Breakfast included.
Breakfast at the hotel
Meet your guide and depart for an educational half-day tour of the Education City. We will head towards the Education City and begin our visit with “The Miraculous Journey”, the giant statue located at Cedra Hospital, an artistic work by Damien Hirst illustrating our journey before birth.
Pass by the Qatar Convention Center boasting iconic design, then head to the Qatar National Library for a general tour of the library and heritage. The 45,000 m² building was designed by the famous Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. This interactive library is equipped with today’s technologies. The highlight of the visit is the Heritage Library, designed to resemble an archaeological site, reflecting its mission to preserve the heritage and history of Qatar and the region. Our oldest map is the Ptolemaic map titled “Secta Asiae Tabula”, printed in Rome in 1478, and it is the first map to mention Qatar, printed in Latin under the name Catara.
Visit to the Al Shaqab equestrian club.
At 1:00 PM, dinner at the Flying Carpet – The Torch. (Set menu including water and non-alcoholic beverages).
After dinner, photo stop at Aspire and a quick visit to the Villaggio Mall. Return to the hotel in Doha and free afternoon to relax.
Free supper ($).
Breakfast and dinner included.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Meet your guide and set out for a day trip to the northern part of Qatar. Head to Umm Salal, north of the capital Doha, to visit the Barzan Tower, which was once an observation tower monitoring the boats to control the pearl routes and determine the lunar calendar date, especially during Ramadan. Visit to Barzan. Then, head to Al Zubarah, where you will visit what was once a flourishing pearl fishing and trading port, and is now the largest heritage site in Qatar. It is one of the best-preserved examples of an 18th-century Gulf merchant town, and in 2013, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, head to Al Khor for dinner. You will pass by the Al Bayt Stadium (only from the outside), a typical Bedouin tent architecture. Dinner at the Al Sultan Restaurant – international buffet with water and non-alcoholic drinks included. Return to Doha and free afternoon to relax.
Optional dinner ($).
Breakfast and dinner included.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for your return flight.
Breakfast included.
March 19 to April 1, 2025
14 days | 12 nights | 7 nights in cruise | Flight | 26 meals
Book before September 20, 2024 and save 300 $ / pers.
Conditions
Deposit required of 10% at the moment of booking.
Final payment due before November 12, 2024.
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after date of return.
First 10 seats at this price.