Nestled along the banks of Wadi Musheireb, Souq Waqif stands as a vibrant testament to Doha's rich trading history, contrasting beautifully with the city’s modern skyline. With its mud-brick architecture and bustling atmosphere, this historic marketplace is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be uncovered. Here are 12 compelling reasons to immerse yourself in the charm of Souq Waqif:

1. Discover the Gold Souq

Adorn yourself with intricate gold jewelry, a staple of Middle Eastern traditions. The Gold Souq features a dazzling array of pieces, from opulent headpieces and ornate necklaces to more understated items. Explore the shops where skilled artisans craft stunning designs, ensuring there’s something for every taste and budget.

2. Experience Falconry

Step into the Falcon Souq and come face-to-face with these majestic birds. Falconry is not just a sport; it’s a way of life in Qatar, deeply rooted in tradition. Under the watchful eye of shopkeepers, you can hold a falcon on your arm and learn about this ancient art, including the care and training involved, as well as the significance of falcons in Qatari culture.

3. Meet the Camels and Horses

Visit the camel pen and Emiri Stables to encounter these gentle creatures up close. At the camel pen, observe the playful behavior of camels, known for their unique personalities. The Emiri Stables house beautiful Arabian horses, often seen patrolling the souq, adding to the area’s charm and tradition.

4. Enjoy Retail Therapy

Explore the winding alleys and discover a treasure trove of goods, from handcrafted shoes and stunning textiles to antiques and local art. Each shop tells a story, offering unique items like traditional Qatari attire, handwoven rugs, and local musical instruments, including the oud, a stringed instrument with a rich history.

5. Engage with Local Art

Marvel at the beautiful woodwork, hand-painted tiles, and colorful lanterns that adorn the Souq Waqif Art Centre. Here, you can watch local artists at work, participate in workshops to create your own art, or purchase unique pieces that capture the essence of Qatari culture.

6. Spice Up Your Life

Follow the aromatic trail to the spice stalls, where vibrant aromas fill the air. Discover a wide array of spices, including saffron, za'atar, sumac, and dried black lemons. Engage with shopkeepers who can guide you through the exotic flavors and help you find the perfect spices for your culinary adventures.

7. Dive into the World of Pearls

Visit a pearl shop and engage with a former pearl diver who will share captivating stories about Qatar’s pearling industry, once the backbone of the economy. Browse the stunning collection of pearls in various hues—white, pink, and grey—and learn about the techniques that make these gems so sought after.

8. Discover Local Beauty Secrets

Indulge in traditional fragrances and cosmetics like oudh, musk, and argan oil. The souq offers a delightful selection of local beauty products. Treat yourself to a fresh henna tattoo applied by skilled artists, who create intricate designs that reflect cultural heritage.

9. Savor the Flavors of the Souq

From street vendors to upscale restaurants, the souq is a culinary paradise. Sample an array of local delights, from savory samosas and stuffed vine leaves to sweet treats like kunafa and baklava. Don’t miss trying the famous karak tea, a spiced milk tea that’s a beloved local favorite.

10. Chill like a Local

As night falls, Souq Waqif transforms into a social hub. Unwind with friends at the roadside cafés, where you can enjoy Arabic coffee, fresh fruit juices, and shisha with flavored tobacco. Many cafés also show live sports, and you may find locals engaged in backgammon games, adding to the lively atmosphere.

11. Live like Persian Royalty

Step into Parisa, a dazzling eatery that exudes opulence with its intricate mirrorwork and antique glass lanterns. This restaurant offers an exquisite dining experience, featuring Persian cuisine that combines rich flavors and aromatic spices, all within a breathtaking setting.

12. Enjoy Cultural Performances

During the cooler months, the souq comes alive with cultural performances, costume parades, and street shows. Experience vibrant street life during festivals like Shop Qatar and Eid, where the open courtyards host exhibitions and performances that celebrate Qatari heritage and artistry.

Getting There

Souq Waqif is easily accessible by car, taxi (including Uber and Karwa), or via the Gold Line metro, which stops directly at the Souq Waqif station. There’s also convenient underground parking available for those driving.

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Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Souq Waqif, where tradition meets modernity, and each moment offers a new discovery. This historic souq is a must-see destination for any visitor to Doha, promising an unforgettable experience that will leave you with lifelong memories.

This summer, the picturesque village of Skala Sikamineas on the northeast coast of Lesbos is witnessing a vibrant influx of well-heeled tourists from the Turkish coast across the Aegean Sea. The two acclaimed fish restaurants lining the coast are bustling, filled predominantly with Turkish-speaking diners, including families from Izmir, groups arriving from Ayvalik via a new catamaran connection, and young couples from Istanbul soaking in the island's charm.

Among them are first-time visitors Isin and her boyfriend, who arrived by ferry from Dikili and quickly fell in love with Lesbos’ beaches and taverns, already planning a return next summer. The short crossing under an hour with tickets costing just €35, combined with eight daily ferry trips in the summer season from Dikili to Mytilene, Lesbos’ capital, makes the island an accessible and attractive getaway for Turkish tourists seeking a relaxed atmosphere.

On the Greek side, Turkish visitors find a welcoming environment where they can enjoy local specialties like ouzo, the aniseed schnapps, and relax openly—Turkish women sunbathe comfortably in bikinis, and social mingling happens naturally. Restaurateurs like Takis, operating a tavern in Gera Bay, praise Turkish visitors as appreciative, friendly, and relaxed, often representing the Turkish middle class looking for tranquil retreats. Unlike many Greek islands that have become prohibitively expensive, Lesbos remains affordable compared to Turkish Aegean destinations such as Bozcaada, Bodrum, or Assos.

Tourism is not just boosting local economies; it also serves as a bridge easing historical tensions between Greece and Turkey. Since the 19th-century conflicts and the Greco-Turkish War ending in 1922, relations have softened somewhat, particularly through growing cross-border tourism. In this vein, the deputy mayor of Mytilene, Nikos Giannakas, warmly welcomed the Turkish mayor of Balikesir, Ahmet Akin, and 150 tourists arriving via the new Mytilene-Ayvalik catamaran route now the eighth between these cities, enhancing tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

Despite continuing political frictions such as maritime border disputes, airspace disagreements, and recent tensions around marine park creations in the Aegean—these issues remain largely distant from the holiday experiences of Turkish tourists on Lesbos. For visitors like Isin and countless others, the beauty and hospitality of the island overshadow any geopolitical rumblings, highlighting how tourism fosters goodwill and cross-cultural understanding amid complex diplomatic landscapes.

This summer, Lesbos is not only a tranquil sanctuary for vacationers but also a living example of how shared human experiences can nurture peaceful connections across the historically often tense Aegean Sea.

Hyundai Department Store’s shares surged 7.1% recently, buoyed by strong second-quarter business results that exceeded market expectations. For Q2 2025, the company reported consolidated operating profit of 86.9 billion won, marking a 102.8% increase year-on-year, and consolidated sales rose 5.5% to 1.803 trillion won. Notably, net profit returned to a surplus of 54.5 billion won during this period.

However, it is worth noting that sales and operating profit in Hyundai's core department store business declined slightly in Q2, with sales falling 3.6% to 590.1 billion won and operating profit down 2.3% to 69.3 billion won. This was attributed partly to reduced operating area due to major store renovations and renewal activities. On the other hand, their subsidiaries showed robust performance: duty-free stores grew sales by 22% while reducing operating losses, and Zinus, an online furniture company under Hyundai, posted an 11.2% sales increase and turned an operating profit of 29.1 billion won.

Hyundai Department Store has also been proactive with shareholder returns, declaring an interim cash dividend of 500 won per common share, reflecting a market dividend rate of 0.7% and total dividend payments of 10.78 billion won.

In response to evolving market trends and consumer behavior, Hyundai is focusing heavily on store renovations and leveraging technology. It launched “Heydi,” an AI shopping assistant for personalized in-store experiences, combining offline retail with generative AI-powered services to attract and engage customers, aiming to set a new shopping concept standard in Korea.

Despite the department store segment’s challenges, Hyundai Department Store's overall financial health and strategic initiatives are generating renewed investor confidence, positioning the company well for stronger performance in the second half of 2025 amid improving domestic consumption trends.

This comprehensive growth across core and subsidiary operations, alongside innovative customer engagement efforts, underpins the recent stock price surge and optimistic outlook for Hyundai Department Store moving forward.

Kuwait has launched a new welcome gesture for expatriates residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by allowing them to obtain tourist visas on arrival. This latest resolution from the Ministry of Interior permits eligible GCC expats to enter Kuwait hassle-free with a tourist visa issued directly at any border or airport entry point.

To qualify, travelers must possess a valid passport alongside a residence permit in a GCC country valid for at least six months. This significant update, formalized under Ministerial Resolution No. 1386 of 2025 and signed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, repeals the earlier 2008 resolution and aligns with Kuwait’s updated Foreigners’ Residence Law enacted in 2024.

The move streamlines travel for the GCC’s extensive expatriate community, fostering greater regional mobility and tourism. The resolution officially took effect with its publication in Kuwait’s Official Gazette on August 6, 2025, marking a new era of more accessible travel to Kuwait for residents of neighboring Gulf states.

This initiative is expected to promote closer ties and increased tourism exchanges among GCC countries while simplifying border procedures for expatriates living and working within the Gulf region. The Ministry of Interior’s proactive step reflects Kuwait’s commitment to facilitating smoother entry protocols and enhancing visitor experiences in line with modern travel trends.

The U.S. State Department is launching a 12-month pilot program starting August 20, 2025, requiring certain travelers applying for B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas to post bonds of up to $15,000 as a financial guarantee they will comply with visa terms, particularly leaving the United States before their visa expires.

Visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates, initially Zambia and Malawi, will be subject to this rule, with bond amounts tiered at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 depending on individual circumstances.

This initiative aims to address the persistent challenge of visa overstays, where travelers remain in the U.S. beyond their authorized period, which has historically contributed to the unauthorized migrant population. Roughly 400,000 visa overstays were reported in fiscal year 2023 alone from about 39 million expected departures.

 Visa overstayers account for about one-third to 42% of unauthorized migrants in the U.S., according to various government and independent studies.

Consular officers will determine the bond amount for each applicant based on factors including the traveler's employment, income, education, travel purpose, and overall risk of overstaying. Waivers can be granted in limited cases such as urgent humanitarian travel or government employee missions. If applicants comply with the bond conditions and depart on time via designated airports, their bond is refunded.

This bond requirement marks a renewed effort reminiscent of a similar program proposed but not fully implemented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, the State Department avoided imposing bonds citing administrative burdens, but now asserts that visa bonds are necessary due to increasing overstay rates and insufficient data from previous years.

The program excludes visitors from Mexico, Canada, and over 40 countries in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows visa-free travel for up to 90 days. Additional countries may be added to the bond program based on ongoing evaluation of visa overstay data and concerns about inadequate screening or Citizenship by Investment programs, which have no residency requirements.

This move complements other recent immigration enforcement efforts, such as travel bans targeting 12 countries with high overstay and security concerns and new fees on visitors. The bonds act both as a deterrent against visa violations and a safeguard to hold travelers financially accountable for compliance.

In summary, the new U.S. visa bond pilot program is a stringent immigration control measure focused on reducing visa overstays by tying entry permissions to significant financial guarantees from travelers originating in countries with historically high rates of visa non-compliance.

If you would like, I can provide additional detail on specific countries affected or the historical context of visa overstays.

In a landmark move set to transform the travel landscape, Kuwait has announced a series of sweeping visa reforms aimed at enhancing tourism and easing entry restrictions for visitors. The changes were revealed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah during a recent conversation with Ahmed Al Jarallah, Editor-in-Chief of Al Seyassah newspapers.

Effective immediately, these reforms remove several longstanding visa constraints, with a particular focus on family visits and traveler convenience. One of the headline changes is the introduction of a three-month family visit visa, allowing visitors an initial stay of up to 90 days. Even more notable is the flexibility to extend the visa to six months or a full year, depending on the visitor’s needs and adherence to regulations. Sheikh Fahad highlighted that “violations in this category are minimal, so flexibility can be granted,” reflecting a more visitor-friendly approach.

Among the significant updates is the abolition of the local carrier requirement, a former rule that mandated travelers obtain visas tied to Kuwait’s national airlines. Now, tourists and visitors can choose their preferred airline, a step aimed at increasing accessibility and encouraging competition. Sheikh Fahad remarked on the shift, stating, “The state should not act as a marketer for airlines; they must market themselves,” underscoring a more liberalized aviation climate as Kuwait builds a new international airport and seeks to reinstate airlines previously withdrawn from the market.

The reforms also expand family visit visa eligibility by extending kinship qualifications to the fourth degree and eliminating the controversial demand for visitors to possess a university degree. This move opens doors for a broader range of family members to reunite and visit with ease.

To ensure security remains uncompromised, Sheikh Fahad noted that travelers facing any security restrictions will be notified promptly and responsible for addressing these matters independently. This aligns Kuwait’s visa procedures with international best practices.

The visa fee structure is currently under governmental review, with amendments expected to be finalized soon by the Council of Ministers. This is part of the broader initiative to streamline visa processing, reduce bottlenecks, and make Kuwait a more inviting destination for visitors from around the world.

Tourism as an Economic Priority

Simultaneously, Kuwait is amplifying its commitment to tourism as a strategic pillar of economic diversification. Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al Mutairi has announced plans for the “Visit Kuwait” digital platform, poised to centralize tourism promotion under a unified national brand. Speaking at a recent event, Al Mutairi emphasized the platform’s role as “the gateway for all tourism-related messaging,” aligning with the ambitious Kuwait Vision 2035 development roadmap.

Looking beyond borders, Kuwait is preparing to welcome regional tourism leaders to the 52nd session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Regional Committee for the Middle East in early 2026. The country will also make its mark at Expo Osaka 2025, highlighting innovations in sustainability, cultural heritage, and technological advancement.

Cultural diplomacy is flourishing alongside these trends. Preparations are underway for the renowned Kuwait International Book Fair, complemented by the launch of “I Am the Author”—an interactive initiative designed to inspire creativity and storytelling among children and youth.

With these reforms and initiatives, Kuwait is positioning itself as an increasingly open, vibrant destination that balances tradition with modernity, welcoming the world to experience its unique culture and opportunities.