Post-World Cup Qatar is complete: quiet luxury plus unforced authenticity. The essential trio — Souq Waqif (the Gulf's best heritage revival), I.M. Pei's Museum of Islamic Art on its own island, and the 7km Corniche to The Pearl. Salwa border from Al Ahsa puts Doha ~5-6h from Riyadh by car; QAR ≈ SAR; October-April is the season.