Qatar is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East, with the futuristic city of Doha appealing to many second and third time visitors to the greater Persian Gulf region. Bordering Saudi Arabia to the south, its closest neighbour is the tiny country of Bahrain which is comprised of 30 little islands in the Gulf. Qatar is now recognised as one of the biggest art buying countries in the world, with the Arab Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Islamic Art both based in Doha. Other cultural highlights of significance include the Msheireb Enrichment Centre, situated on the Doha Corniche, the Katara Cultural Village and the Pearl-Qatar Marina. Doha is also well known for its markets such as the Souq Waqif, which has been cleverly developed to look like a traditional 19th-century souq, complete with expertly restored Qatari buildings. A must-visit is the Falcon Souq, a traditional arcade just off the Souq Waqif and filled with leather-hooded Falcons waiting to be taken home by eager buyers.
