Qatar, The Middle East

A fascinating fusion of traditional influences and modern movement, the desert state of Qatar might be the last place on earth you’d expect to find elegant hospitality, respect for women, and a quiet appreciation of all things healthy and beautiful. Visit Doha, Qatar and you’ll come face-to-face with the ancient and the ultra-modern, with exotic Arabic customs and a culture exploding with progressive ideas. An old-town marketplace is juxtaposed with a modern medical university, street stall bartering still goes on at the foot of high rise office buildings where powerful oil interests conduct business.
 
Qatar’s people are the richest per capita in the world, and that enormous oil wealth has taken them from camels to cartels in two generations. It is a lively, burgeoning country – predominantly Sunni Muslim yet eager to empower women with education and the right to vote as well as through sports and professional opportunities.

There are places for casual entertainment in a relaxing environment, including pool halls, bowling alleys, ices skating rinks, and Karaoke clubs. Invite your guests and show them around your new country. Try camel riding or camp out on a desert safari. You can take them swimming or sailing in the Arabian Gulf. The gold souqs are a marvel to see, even if you don't buy anything. The selection is spectacular and the detailed designs are exquisite.

Here in the desert, where the land is flat and hot and Arabic call-song is in the air, there is a cordial hospitality and a warm embrace for the West. Visit a gold souq, or traditional bazaar, and you will find intricate jewelry made by hand in small workshops, treasured around the world for centuries. In every shop, wonderful gold pieces tooled with precious stones, silver and famous Qatar pearls.

When MySpaShop.com visited the elaborate hotels on the peninsula shores of the Persian Gulf, we found that health and beauty has a new home in Qatar. The private fitness and health clubs are fully equipped with Jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms, as well as a unique Qatar approach to spa services.

Arabia – as romantic as it sounds. And Qatar  — a relaxing destination in the Arabian desert that is an oasis for body and soul.

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