Iraq

Baghdad: Ancient City, Living Capital

Baghdad is a city of extraordinary contradictions: a medieval Islamic golden age legacy wrapped around a modern, chaotic and surprisingly warm metropolis. The Iraq Museum holds one of the finest collections of ancient artefacts in the world, while the Mutanabbi Street book market has been a centre of intellectual life for centuries. The smell of cardamom tea drifting from the old souks is reason enough to linger.

Sacred Cities of the South

Najaf and Karbala are among the most significant pilgrimage destinations in the Islamic world, drawing millions of visitors each year to their glittering shrines and deeply spiritual atmosphere. The Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf and the Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala are architectural masterpieces as much as religious landmarks. Even outside times of pilgrimage, the devotion and quiet intensity of these cities is genuinely moving.

Kurdistan: Mountains and a Different World

The Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq is a world apart: green mountain valleys, ancient citadels, cool summers and a distinct culture that has been welcoming travellers with genuine warmth for years. Erbil's ancient citadel, continuously inhabited for over six thousand years, sits at the centre of a city that has been rebuilding its tourism infrastructure with real ambition. Hiking, waterfalls and the remarkable Lalish temple await those willing to venture further into the hills.