My experience of Qatar was that of an amazingly progressive, innovative and forward thinking country. Between education, health care, university cities, and museum complexes, Qatar is certainly at the epicenter of a transformative and transformed Gulf region.

At the heart of all this is Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art, an architectural jewel designed by I.M. Pei. I had the wonderful fortune of being guided through the museum by one of its curators, and was shown one of the world’s foremost collection of Islamic works. If for no other reason than to see this museum, one should go to Doha!

In Qatar, it is almost as if the desert recedes into the horizon as new spectacular buildings, designed by the world’s best architects, are being built. A site one should truly see in one’s lifetime.