Produced, written & hosted by: Michaela Guzy; Shot & edited by: Aric Gutnick.

Recently, I had the honor of flying non-stop from New York’s John F. Kennedy to Doha, on the award winning Qatar Airways, which like the rest of the middle east is rapidly expanding…including the development of the new multi-billion dollar Doha International Airport set to open in 2013.

But why does Doha need another airport?  A visit to this Arabian Riviera to see all of the development taking place will quickly answer your question.

985 acres of reclaimed land called “The Pearl”, will soon be home to over 41,000 international residents, upscale shops, restaurants and three marinas.

New hotels, like the St. Regis, are featuring big names from Gordon Ramsey and Jazz at Lincoln Center with an opening appearance by Wynton Marsalis.

Even the 100 the year-old Souk Waqif is getting a makeover.   The traditional marketplace is where visitors can taste local foods and spices, experience crafts being made and purchase everything from jewelry to hukas.

The Islamic Museum of Art, Doha, Qatar.

Don’t miss the semi-private Doha Golf Club or Dhow Harbor.  Just down the corniche, check out the Museum of Islamic Art, designed by Chinese American architect, I.M. Pei, which houses some of the oldest Islamic art in the world dating back to the 17^th century.

Michaela on the corniche in front of Dhow Harbor.                    Photo credit: Veronica Ponns.

Horse lovers shouldn’t miss the Equestrian Club which is home to Marwan, the number one breeding horse in the world.  In fact one injection of his sperm will cost breeders upwards $20,000 USD.

What’s a trip to this desert nation if you don’t take a four-wheel drive or camel ride through the rolling sand dunes to the Inland Sea overlooking Saudia Arabia?

Qatar is the wealthiest country per capita in the middle east and Doha a capital for business, but it’s also attracting all the latest, from international designers, celebrity chefs and global hotel brands and will soon have a five-Star International Airport to match.  I am looking forward to my next trip to Doha and Inshallah as they say over here, it will be soon.

Rolling sand dunes of Doha, Qatar. Photo credit: Aric Gutnick.