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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Middle East
- Iraq
Iraq
Iraq is arguably the most dangerous country in the world, to say
that travel there is 'ill-advised' would be an understatement when
trained military combatants from the United States and other
coalition forces are having a hard time staying alive there. When
the smoke does eventually clear from this war-torn nation though,
it might (depending on what survives the war) have many a wonder to
reveal.
Iraq is a veritable gold mine of archaeological wealth. It was
once the home of Ancient Mesopotamia, the capital of which,
Babylon, was situated on the modern site of Al-Hillah on the east
of the Euphrates River. The ruins of this ancient city, where the
infamous Hanging Gardens of Babylon once existed, were treated as
sacred palaces to Saddam Hussein during his reign and today are
host to coalition forces and their often tasteless graffiti. In
Baghdad, the remains of the Ishtar temple, the Ancient Theatre and
the Babylon Tower (all precious Mesopotamian sites) are slowly
being eroded by bombing and fighting in the city, much to the
chagrin of archaeologists the world over.
The capital of Baghdad was a learning centre and focal point of
the Middle East silk trade. The history of the three Mesopotamian
civilisations that conquered the land; the Assyrians, the
Babylonians and the Achaemenids is captured in the Baghdad Museum,
which suffered some looting at the onset of the 2003 invasion but
is now under the protection of the US military. To the south of
Baghdad, near Nasiriyah is one of the few landmarks left untouched
by the invasion so far, the Great Ziggurat of Ur. Built over 4,000
years ago as a platform onto which the gods could descend from the
heavens, the strange stone temple is built on a trapezoid base and
overlooks the ancient tombs of long gone Mesopotamian leaders.
Currently the only way to travel with a modicum of safety in
Iraq is with an armoured army convoy. Again, it is emphatically
advised that you don't travel there at all.
Information & Facts
Customs
Although Iraq is considered less 'fundamentalist' than some of
its Middle Eastern neighbours, the overwhelming majority of Iraqi
citizens are devout Muslims, and travellers to the region should be
aware that the Koran still provides the basis for many of the
country's social mores and customs. Conservative dress (covering
the arms and legs) and reserved public behaviour are the norms, and
although alcohol is legal in Iraq, drinking it in public is taboo.
Photography is becoming more socially accepted, although travellers
should exercise caution whenever using their camera ('Ask First' is
probably a good rule to abide by, and don't photograph military
installations or personnel). It is considered rude to show the
soles of your feet or shoes, and to touch or move objects with your
feet. Visitors should also avoid using their left hand when
greeting others, or when eating, as it is considered 'haram'
(impure). During the month of Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke
in public places between the hours of sunrise and sunset, as it is
bound to offend local sensibilities. Finally, it might be useful
for travellers to bear in mind that in Iraq, an indirect
communication style is favoured, with politeness and deference
(especially to one's elders) being highly valued.
Duty Free
Travellers to Iraq may import the following goods tax-free: up
to 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/250g of tobacco, one litre of wine or
spirits, 500ml of perfume in open bottles, and gifts valued to
US$28. Total value of duty-free goods must not exceed ID100.
Passport Visa
Tourist visas are not available.
It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months
validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your
travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different
rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.