With the weekend almost upon us, there are several ways for Qatar residents to spend their days off, including marking Valentine’s Day with a visit to Qatar’s homegrown flower facility Roza Hassad, or taking in one of the many events organized by local hotels.
There are also some sportier things to do, including watching the world’s top cyclists battling out the last days of the Tour of Qatar, or checking out the final round of the Arabian Drag Racing League.
Here are our picks for what to do in Qatar over the next few days:
Roza Hassad open day
Roza Hassad, a flower and vegetable production farm in Umm Leghab (on Dukhan road) is holding an open day on Saturday, Feb. 14, in time for Valentine’s Day.
Visitors will be given guided tours of the greenhouse’s facilities, flowers and crops, and will also have the opportunity to buy fresh produce and flowers. The event is free and open to the public and runs from 10am to 2pm.
Tour of Qatar
Cheer on some of the world’s top cyclists as they take part in the final days of the Tour of Qatar. Running until Feb. 13, a total of 18 teams will participate in the six-day event, which signaled the start of the new cycling events season.
Stage 4 takes places today (Feb. 11), and is a 165.5 km route from Al Thakira to Mesaieed. Stage 5 (Feb. 12) is a 153km long, from Al Zubara Fort to Madinat ash-Shamal, while the final day on Friday, Feb. 13 runs 124.5 km from the Sealine Beach resort to the Doha Corniche.
No tickets or pre-booking required – spectators can just pick a good spot along the route. More information on the routes can be found here.
Dine in the dark
The Oryx Rotana will once again host a dinner in the dark tonight, Feb. 11, from 8pm at the hotel’s Jade Ballroom, with proceeds benefiting Orbis – the world’s only flying-eye hospital.
The night will begin with an explanation of the event from 8 to 8:30pm, followed by dinner at 9pm. The dinner costs QR245 per person (food only), and interested residents can reserve their seats by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. For more information, contact the hotel at 4402 3391 or 4402 3351.
Drag racing
Experience a bit of homegrown “fast and furious” action and head over to the Qatar Racing Club for the fifth and final round of the Arabian Drag Racing League. Cars and bikes will compete in separate short races over the course of two days – from 3pm onwards on Feb. 12 and 13.
The event is free and open to the public, but pit passes cost QR500 for the entire season. Residents are advised to bring along a pair of ear plugs. For more information and a full schedule, visit the event’s website, or the group’s Facebook page here.
Al Kass International Cup
The semi-finals of the 2015 Al Kass International Cup get underway this weekend at the Aspire Zone.
The tournament features under-17 youth teams from some of the world’s most famous and decorated clubs, billing itself as representing “the future of football by showcasing the stars of tomorrow.”
Matches start at 3:35pm on both Friday and Saturday. More information on the event, including which teams advanced through the quarter-finals this week to earn a spot in the semis, is available on the tournament’s website.
The games are free and open to the public. Prizes will be awarded to spectators in the stands who have the best banner competition and best supporter outfit.
Bonus
- Valentine’s Day Celebrations: Spend time with your loved ones this Saturday, Feb. 14 by heading out to some of the various hotels offering Valentine’s treats. Take advantage of the last few days of good weather and go to the Ritz-Carlton for a unique dinner under the stars, or join the team at Hakkasan for a four-course meal complete with specially designed ribbons for couples to write their wishes. For a more complete list of V-day events, prices and details, visit Marhaba’s guide here.
- The University League: A coalition of 12 local colleges and universities, the league will host its final match in their series tomorrow, Feb. 12, at 6pm. The league is a collaboration between Qatar Foundation and the Qatar Football Association. Teams from the Qatar Aeronautical College, the College of the North Atlantic Qatar, the University of Calgary Qatar and the Academic Bridge Program, along with Education City’s numerous universities, are competing for the championship title. Winners will be recognized across various categories and ranks. Cash prizes, totaling more than QR100,000, will be awarded. The match will be played at Pitch 3 at Qatar Foundation’s Recreation Center in Education City. The event is free and open to the public.
What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?