We spent the late afternoon in The Pearl, an artificial island with colorful architecture, lovely marina walks, cafes, and restaurants at every corner. It´s Qatar’s answer to Dubai’s The Palm Jumeirah. The Pearl is a luxurious artificial island development on Doha’s northern fringe that shows you how oil and gas riches can be spent. The Pearl’s Porto Arabia precinct, encircling a yacht-studded marina, has a pleasant waterfront promenade with cafes and restaurants. But most visitors get a bigger kick from visiting the Venetian-inspired Qanat Quartier, complete with canals, brightly colored apartment blocks, and even a replica Rialto Bridge. It’s a far cry from the real deal, but you’ll feel a world away from Qatar.
