Stopovers: Too Good To Be True?
We’d seen the offers, first from TAP we think, but hadn’t really investigated too deeply. It was only when we read a post written by Rochelle at adventuresfromelle that we started to realise that the changing concept of what a stopover might constitute may just be something which we could embrace for our benefit. What happened next seems too good to be true.
Qatar Airways will be the chosen airline for our next ultimate destination, and, when booking, they were pushing a stopover in Doha. Further investigation made it clear that the difference between passing through Doha airport within three hours and stopping in the centre of Doha in a 4-star hotel for 4 nights was….zero. Yep, that’s right, four nights accommodation in Doha at absolutely no cost whatsoever. Gotta be good, right?
Well, we’re doing it, so we’ll find out in January. As far as I can see, the airlines offering these stopover deals are all state owned, so presumably this is, in each case, a Government initiative to encourage tourism in that country – along the lines that you’ll spend money while you’re there and may even see enough to make you want to return and see more later. The maximum stopover on this deal seems to be four nights.
Thus, in the second half of January, we’ll be exploring the city of Doha on the way to a 2-month tour of the Philippines. It’s time to start counting the days.
Four nights in a 4-star in the middle of Doha for nothing does indeed seem too good to be true. In my experience, things that seem too good to be true… well, usually are. We will see…
25 Comments
Helen Devries
It can’t be worse than the african Fawlty Towers….
Phil & Michaela
Well, it’ll be exciting to find out!
restlessjo
I can’t see how you can fail, and at the end of the day, 4 nights is only 4 nights, Phil. For free!
Phil & Michaela
Well yes, our thoughts exactly!
Lynette d'Arty-Cross
Could be good, could be bad … looking forward to reading about the outcome! Safe travels to you both.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you…I expect it’ll be an absolute bargain.
Lookoom
I went straight to the Qatar website and there is indeed a package option, but I can’t get more than one night. It must depend on other parameters, to be studied.
Phil & Michaela
Worth it if you can nail it! Good luck…
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Hmmm….good luck.
Phil & Michaela
It’s gotta be OK at that price!
ehacarr
Good on you – I would love to be looking forwards to this! When you can combine getting to know a city so fast-growing as Doha in a country few of us know > Qatar . . . and combine Doha’s modernity with the desert adventures easily available . . . what on earth do you have to lose! I am hugely envious . . . 🙂 !
Phil & Michaela
And then on to the Philippines, yep, we’re very excited!
Monkey's Tale
It does sound too good to be true. But I’m more jealous of your Phillipines destination. It has been high on our list for a while, mostly for diving,, but the country itself looks beautiful. Can’t wait! Maggie
Phil & Michaela
We’re very much looking forward to it!
ehacarr
Well, I have already tried to have my say but matters must be busy across the Ponds this late afternoon! Methinks you are going to have a fabulous time – wish I was there . . . the modernity of Doha in Qatar I have not had the chance to witness + combined with the ease to go into the desert in a variety of ways . . . . enjoy 🙂 !
Phil & Michaela
Both of your comments landed OK but both needed approval so I assume it’s just another of WP’s quirks.
WanderingCanadians
I’m intrigued! Looking forward to hearing all about it, along with your time in the Philippines. Have a Happy New Year!
Phil & Michaela
You too guys!
Toonsarah
I’ll be very interested to hear your feedback on this experiment. As you know we opted for a two night stay in Abu Dhabi en route to the Philippines in February, but we’re considering Borneo for later in the year and Qatar are a logical airline for that trip so we could well fancy a Doha stopover 🙂
Phil & Michaela
Yep, we’re intrigued too…but it can’t really go wrong at that price. Can it?!
Annie Berger
Sure you’ll have a great adventure even if you’re not wild about either Doha or the hotel as you can’t beat the price! Suggest you look into hiring a driver for a 4-wheel drive into the desert. We loved spending a few hours riding off into the desert and in the dunes. Don’t know if Michaela is a window shopping fan, but, if she is, take a stroll along the many jewelry shops, one located right after the other, and her eyes will pop out at the fabulous gold sets. I didn’t know before that a set meant a matching ring, bracelet, necklace, and earrings in diamonds, emeralds or other jewel of her choice! Enjoy the stopover whatever you do.
Phil & Michaela
It’ll be fun, I’m sure. We most likely will take a desert excursion as we’ve loved our desert trips before…and so enjoyed the dune buggy drive in the Sahara in ‘23. Enjoy the NY celebrations later…!
Latitude Adjustment: A Tale of Two Wanderersl
That sounds like a great deal. Is that through the airlines web site?
Phil & Michaela
Yes it is.
grandmisadventures
I am interested to see what you find with this stopover idea. Brad has been looking at a lot of different flights that include a stop over like this somewhere and he keeps going back and forth about whether we should try it.