Corniche, in the fishing harbors of Al Wakra and Al Khor. www.qataradventure.com.

Best Cultural Secret

Katara

The Cultural Village Foundation aims to improve awareness of the region’s culture through art and real-life exchanges. www.katara.net.

Best Family Activity

Khalifa International Stadium

This 40,000-seat stadium attracts major sports and entertainment events. Past highlights have included the final of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

Best City Secret

Lusail City

Still under construction, the most modern, luxurious and practical residential area in Qatar is a natural extension of Doha city. www.lusail.com.

Best Restaurant Classic

L’wazar

Also known as the Fish Market, L’wazar offers a smart-casual dining experience on the Katara beach front, where customers select their own sea food. Building No. 27, Katara Cultural Village; (974-4) 4408-0710.

Best Shopping Neighborhood

Villaggio Mall

Doha’s largest shopping area has hundreds of high-end jewelry, electronics and other specialty stores, asarea due to a lack of facilities. Therefore we locals have not benefited from these developments.”

Mayadevi temple – said to be the exact location of the Buddha’s birth

There is a master plan for this holiest of sites. It was drawn up in 1978 by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange in conjunction with the UN and with the support of the Nepalese government.

The idea was that Lumbini could become home to a massive hub of monasteries, served by transport links that would enable pilgrims and tourists to experience the holy site.

It was a plan that required backing that went beyond the meagre resources of Nepal’s government. But help has not been forthcoming. Only about 60% of it has been completed.

Excavations in the core area of the site, the sacred garden,