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Listly
02-08-2025
- Listly
How to Experience Authentic Qatari Cuisine by the Sea – A Guide for Food Lovers
From rice dishes that smell divine to desserts that taste heavenly, food in Qatar is a feast for all the senses. The country's cuisine is shaped by influences from Persia, Lebanon, North Africa and India. Qatari cuisine isn't just about food; it tells you all you need to know about the crucible of culture that Qatar is. If you want to enjoy your Qatari meal by the sea, whether at an elegant restaurant or a souq, here's how to do it. Qatari Cuisine Qatari cuisine is part of traditional Arab cooking, and its dishes have deep roots in the region. The national dish is machboos, a delicious meal made using the slow-cooking method. The rice is cooked along with meat, usually lamb or chicken, and vegetables. Seafood and dates are also staples of the local cuisine. While cuisines in the region share many similarities, Qatari cuisine is quite unique in both flavour and preparation methods. You can enjoy traditional Qatari food in many local restaurants called matbakhs, found around popular locales such as Souq Waqif, The Pearl-Qatar and the Doha Corniche. Dining by the Sea Qatari food is packed with flavour, and the aroma alone is enough to make you hungry. To make your dining experience even better, try a restaurant by the sea. The fresh sea air, the view and, if it's supper, the setting sun create the perfect atmosphere for foodies who appreciate natural beauty. Seafood is highly popular here, so restaurants often feature menus full of seafood specials. If you're interested in a majlis staycation in Qatar while enjoying delicious food at ocean-view restaurants, choose a hotel such as Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli. Dining Locations If you prefer a more traditional experience, visit the local markets – bustling places with restaurants and cafés serving popular dishes such as machbūs. You can also look out for small hidden restaurants by the sea, often run by local families and serving delicious homemade food. Must-Try Local Food Make sure to order some of these delicious Qatari heritage dishes: •Machboos One of the most popular dishes in Qatar and an absolute must-try, machboos is the national dish. Rice is slow-cooked and infused with local spices, then served with generous amounts of lamb, chicken or fish. Warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and dried lime bring the characteristic Arab flavour to the dish. The meat is cooked slowly to allow it to meld with the spices. Some vendors like to top the rice with nuts or raisins to add extra texture and sweetness. It's a hearty dish and can be found at almost every restaurant in Qatar. •Saloona This is a great example of Qatar's love for stews. Saloona is a broth-based dish made with seasonal vegetables, meat such as lamb or chicken, and a mix of spices. All these ingredients are cooked slowly together with clove, ginger, cardamom and black loum (dried black lemon powder). You can find it at restaurants, and locals love to make it at home as well. Enjoy it on its own or pair it with rice – saloona adds delicious Qatari flavour to your seaside dining escapade. •Luqaimat These are deep-fried dumplings that are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Flavoured with cardamom and saffron, then drizzled with sweet date syrup or honey and sometimes topped with sesame seeds, Luqaimat will add a sweet note to your seaside dinner. If you can't quite imagine what they are, think of them as bite-sized doughnut balls made with Middle Eastern ingredients. These fried dumplings are especially popular during Ramadan. •Street Food Qatar has an excellent street food scene, where you can sense South Asian and North African influences. Popular must-try snacks include samosas, reggae bread and falafel. Karak tea is also highly popular, which adds a spicy and sweet note to your street food experience.
Listly
30-06-2025
- Listly
05 Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand—Enjoy An Epic Holiday
If you are a sun worshipper, then Phuket will certainly make you happy; it's one of the best havens in the tropics for swimming, diving, and chilling. The Andaman Sea is warm and inviting, the kind of place you wish you could experience for the rest of time. While you may not be able to enjoy your holiday forever, you can make it one of the best by choosing a resort on the beach. If you are looking for a Phuket resort to relax and enjoy local vibes at the same time, places similar to Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas are popular for offering the best of both worlds—a seaside holiday and a lagoon to explore. At top resorts in Phuket, you can look forward to waking up to the lull of the ocean, enjoying yoga or Muay Thai boxing on the beach, and, of course, long walks along the surf. Not to be forgotten are sunset cocktails and a chance to swim.
Listly
27-06-2025
- Listly
How to Experience the Soul of Zambia Through Its Time-Honoured Festivals
REPORT Listly by Joanna James Zambia, a country in the southern part of Africa, is a magical place and should be next on your bucket list. This land-locked country borders on Zimbabwe and has much to offer travellers in terms of safaris, wildlife, and nature in general. While Zambia's natural beauty may attract more of the first-time travellers, the country's cultural depth truly captivates those who are able to see past the superficial layers. With over 70 ethnic groups and a history that includes ancient customs, royal legacies, and spiritual practices, Zambia offers a cultural journey like no other in southern Africa. From dynamic public festivals to deeply spiritual masked dances, experiencing this living heritage is one of the most rewarding things to do in Zambia. Zambia's Culture Unveiled While wildlife safaris and visits to Victoria Falls dominate many itineraries, the nation's festivals offer something less expected and far more intimate. These ceremonies provide priceless insight into the values, ancestry as well as communal traditions of Zambia's people. The important thing to note is that the ceremonies performed aren't meant to be tourist attractions or entertainment in any way. They are authentic celebrations that carry a lot of meaning to the local population. Enjoying Culture in Comfort For those looking to experience the traditions and cultural ceremonies of Zambia, while enjoying world-class accommodation, staying in Livingstone offers the perfect location to be in proximity to them. The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara, located on the banks of the Zambezi River and just minutes from Victoria Falls, provides a sophisticated base for cultural and natural exploration alike. The Spectacle of Kuomboka Perhaps the most well-known traditional ceremony is Kuomboka, which is held each year by the Lozi people of Western Province. The ceremony's name translates to 'getting out of water,' and it commemorates the annual move of the Litunga, the Lozi king, from his palace in the Barotse floodplains to higher ground. When water levels rise during the rainy season, a grand procession sets out: the king aboard the royal barge Nalikwanda, decorated with a black-and-white elephant and paddled by oarsmen dressed in traditional scarlet and white. Thousands of spectators gather along the Zambezi River's edge to watch this journey unfold to the sound of ancient drums and royal pageantry. Mutomboko: A Celebration of Legacy In the north-eastern Luapula Province, the Mutomboko Festival offers quite a contrasting but equally spectacular insight into Zambia's traditional leadership and warrior history. Held in the month of July, the ceremony celebrates the historic migration and triumph of the Lunda people, which the legendary Mwata Kazembe leads. The festival is locally referred to as the 'Dance of Victory.' Visitors can expect dance performances, battle reenactments, and a rare public appearance by the current Mwata Kazembe as well. Shimunenga and the Spirit of the South Further south in the Namwala District, the Shimunenga Ceremony of the Ba-Ila people showcases Zambia's pastoralist roots. Taking place during the full moon in either the months of September or October, Shimunenga is steeped in ancestral respect and community solidarity. Usually beginning at dawn with traditional hymns being sung at a shrine, the ceremony is then followed by a parade of decorated cattle, symbolising wealth and social status. Participants then engage in rituals and communal activities ranging from mock lion hunts to fishing expeditions and feasting on traditional dishes. Gule Wamkulu: Dance of the Ancestors Among the Chewa people in the Eastern Province, the Gule Wamkulu, also known as the 'Great Dance', offers one of Zambia's most unique cultural experiences. This sacred masked performance is conducted by members of the Nyau secret society, whose dancers wear elaborate costumes representing spirits, animals, and mythical beings. Performed during funerals, initiations, and public holidays, the Gule Wamkulu blends moral storytelling with spiritual reverence. Dancers often move in trance-like states, embodying their characters as they weave between rhythm and ritual. Though traditionally restricted, some performances are now included in national cultural events, allowing outsiders to observe respectfully. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, this dance is a vivid reminder of the enduring connection between Zambians and their ancestors.
