Asia
Mesopotamian ruins, reed marshes and some of the oldest cities on earth.
Iraq covers much of ancient Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates. Its sites include the ruins of Babylon, the ziggurat of Ur and the citadel of Erbil, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. In the south, the Mesopotamian Marshes support a distinctive reed-house culture, while the shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala draw millions of pilgrims. The Kurdistan Region in the north is mountainous and green.
Food is hearty and shared: masgouf grilled carp, dolma, kebabs and strong sweet tea. Conditions differ sharply between regions and can change quickly, so check your government's current travel advice before planning. Getting between cities is mostly by road, often with a local driver. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; summer heat regularly passes 45°C in Baghdad and the south.
March, April, October, November.