Aboard yachts and luxury cars, at star-studded restaurants or on trips in style through the desert, wealthy fans and guests of sponsors of the Qatar Cup live experiences of the “a thousand and one nights” in Doha and its surroundings.
In Porto Arabia, Pérola marina, an artificial island of 4 million square meters nestled in the bay of Doha, the spectacular yacht Atilla, owned by Argentine billionaire Mauricio Filiberti, stands out.
Known as Mister Cloro, at the head of businesses in the chemical sector (Transclor) and energy (Edenor), he is the owner of the graphite vessel valued at US$ 70 million (about R$ 385 million).
The 64-metre-long megayacht is famous for its five decks and celebrity guests, including Mauricio Macri, former president of Argentina.
The politician stayed there for a season in Saint-Tropez, on the trendy French Riviera.
With the flag of the Cayman Islands, the yacht has its refinement items detailed on websites for fans, such as its capacity for 12 guests and 17 crew members and cruising speed of 12 knots.
Strolling around the bay of Doha is a program for billionaires and oil barons aboard private boats, but also for groups willing to spend money to celebrate “al mare”.
Schemes with “boat-houses”, house-boats with lounges for parties and breakfast, lunch and dinner services, take fans to glimpse the impressive skyline of Doha, with the modern buildings of the West Bay and the Corniche.
On the tour, there are stops at exclusive beaches close to the capital, in an area known as the Riviera of the Middle East.
On dry land, the elegant apartment buildings inspired by French, Italian and Spanish architecture are available for seasonal rentals during the World Cup with daily rates starting at R$27,000.
Around the bay, there are some of the most starred restaurants in Doha, including La Mar, by award-winning Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio.
In the elegant setting of the InterContinental hotel, the gourmet clientele can occupy indoor and outdoor tables to taste the traditional ceviche and toast with an authentic pisco sour.
Another option is the Spice Market, with its lounge bar lit by candles and overlooking the Arabian Gulf, where sophisticated dishes of Southeast Asian cuisine can be enjoyed.
Lobito do Mar, located in the elegant Marsa Malaz Kempinski, a five-star resort, combines Arab traditions and European luxury. The tapas and seafood bar is an invitation to enjoy the view while savoring delicacies signed by chef Dani Garcia.
The experience away from the stadiums of an Arabian World Cup involves a safari in the desert.
To enjoy the adventure, an hour’s drive from the center of Doha, tourists can hire a service with a Land Rover and driver for US$460 (about R$2,500).
Up to four passengers enjoy a five-hour tour that includes thrilling up and down dunes, a camel ride and a swim in stunning scenery in the so-called Inland Sea, the inland sea surrounded by the Qatari desert.
“If you want to do a complete program and enjoy the desert like a local, tourists can rent a motorbike or a tricycle and ride in the dunes”, explains driver and guide Ahmed Saleh, from Gulf Adventure.
To meet the high demand for the World Cup, the operator has more than one hundred vehicles and accredited drivers. The tours can end at a beach club, with big screens to watch the games and lunch in tents, where western tourists enjoy a swim in the sea in a bikini.
The grand finale is the late afternoon camel ride through the dunes. The most radical crowd can rent a paraglider to admire the sunset in flights over a unique setting, where the sea and the desert meet.
“I like football and adventure sports”, says Ravi Lopez, 24, a Spaniard from Catalonia, who crossed the Inland Sea with a rented motorbike, on Saturday (26), still rocked by Spain’s 7-0 victory over Costa Rich on debut.
“We’re going to qualify and I’m going back to the desert in the next round of the World Championship to live again that experience of driving in the dunes of Qatar.”
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