Our route to Doha opens up a world of new destinations

Africa

Doha is a natural stopping point when heading towards the southern parts of Africa. Cape Town in South Africa is one of the destinations you could choose to explore. The city is on a southwestern peninsula, right beneath the incredible Table Mountain. Cape Town is a great choice for anyone looking to combine city living with outdoors activities, from hiking to diving and safaris. Wine lovers should check out the vineyards surrounding the city.

The islands of Zanzibar on the Tanzanian coast can also be reached via Doha. Zanzibar is the perfect chill out destination, with lovely beaches and lots of sunshine. If you want to explore beyond the sea and sun, you could check out Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City, or the impressive Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park.

Paradise Islands

If you have always dreamt of a holiday in the Maldives, the route via Doha makes this possible. The archipelago in the Indian Ocean is picture perfect with white sandy beaches surrounded by clear turquoise water.

Most travellers will choose to do absolutely nothing but relax on their trip but there are some activities you might want to try. You could get to know the local wildlife, the manta rays or white terns for example, or visit the Mangrove forests. Maldives is also ideal for water sports and if relaxing on the beach is not calming the nerves enough, the famous spas will.

The Seychelles offers a similar beachy experience as the Maldives but has slightly more on offer for the more restless explorers. There is a lot of variation between the different islands, so it is worth spending some time island hopping on your trip. You could go for a hike on Silhouette Island, see the wild island of Praslin with its coves and forests, or enjoy a more urban vibe of the colonial capital Victoria on the main island Mahé.

Australia and New Zealand

The Doha route also gives great access to Auckland, the largest city of New Zealand. Auckland is a fantastically bustling urban hotspot with vivid nightlife and a fun restaurant scene. There is also a lot of culture related activities to be found from the principal public art institution Auckland Art Gallery to the War Memorial Museum. If you want to explore the surrounding area, a great idea is to head out to Waiheke Island that has lovely hiking routes and wineries.

Of the Australian cities the easiest to reach via Doha is the capital of Western Australia, Perth. Perth is known for its combination of beach and city living, making it a great holiday destination. It has 19 fabulous sandy beaches, and it gets a whopping 30 percent more sunny days than Sydney. Outdoors living can also be enjoyed in the famous Kings Park and Botanic Garden. To enjoy a busier atmosphere, go to Fremantle, a hip port-side area with cute shops, restaurants, and breweries.

Asia

Bali remains on top of many traveller's wish lists and a great connection via Doha is a welcome addition to route options. Surfing, yoga, spas, and great food are all major draws in Bali. There is however much more to the destination. For nature lovers seeing the waterfalls, such as the Tegenungan or Tukad Cepung and rice terraces such as Jatiluwih is a must. For the culturally minded there are enough temples and religious sites to explore for the rest of your life. Make sure you don't miss the astonishing Lempuyang Temple.

The largest city in Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City has become one of the most wanted destinations in Asia and no wonder! It combines the ancient and truly Asian with the cosmopolitan and ultramodern in a very interesting way. A good place to start exploring is in the Chinese Quarter where you can visit the huge Binh Tay Market and eat amazing street food. On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Dong Khoi district known for its French era colonial buildings and upscale boutiques.

Finnair flies to Doha from Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen daily. Read more about this hidden gem of the Middle East.