Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
 |  Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook   Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds   Subscribe to Newser emails Newsletters


1

Tourists Return to Iraq

First group of Western tourists since invasion arrive in Baghdad

Share

(Newser) – The first package tourists since the days of Saddam Hussein have arrived in Baghdad, the Guardian reports. The group—four Brits, two Americans, a Russian, and a Canadian—are on a 17-day tour of the country, taking in the sights of ancient Mesopotamia in a journey that would have been impossible less than a year ago.

The Iraqi government hopes the visitors, who found it impossibe to get travel insurance, will be the first of many. The tourists say they're enjoying the chance to see sights like the ancient city of Ur despite the ravaged state of most hotels, the red tape, and the security holdups—including no less than 40 checkpoints on the road from Basra to Baghdad.

US Army soldiers stroll past two bronze busts of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Friday, March 20, 2009, on the sixth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
US Army soldiers stroll past two bronze busts of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Friday, March 20, 2009, on the sixth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq.   (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
US soldiers patrol in front of the ancient arch of Taq-i Kisra at Salman Pak city about 30 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, March. 5, 2008.
US soldiers patrol in front of the ancient arch of Taq-i Kisra at Salman Pak city about 30 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, March. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A US soldier stands guard in front of the Hands of Victory arch in Baghdad's Green Zone, Thursday, May 29, 2008.
A US soldier stands guard in front of the Hands of Victory arch in Baghdad's Green Zone, Thursday, May 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
A US Army tank is parked outside the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad, May 6, 2003. The museum reopened Monday Feb. 23, 2009 with a gala celebration.
A US Army tank is parked outside the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad, May 6, 2003. The museum reopened Monday Feb. 23, 2009 with a gala celebration.   (AP Photo/Murad Sezer, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

For this particular tour we will all have to be tolerant of local conditions and accept flexible arrangements.
- Hinterland Travel

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
2.9.10
It’s the Sex, Stupid   
2.8.10
For Me, Palin Scores
1 comment
VIEWING:
 
riffran
Mar 21, 09 3:32 AM CDT
There is a lot of history in that area of the world...shame it's so violent........read a little about Ur once.....Try reading the Code of Hammurabi....woa!...talk about some harsh laws...yikes...but makes for some intresting reading Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

224 Stories

UPDATED

 31 Dead in 3 Blasts 
 Near Baghdad Hotels 

Explosions hit popular district bordering Green Zone

Jan 25, 10 8:29 AM CST

31 Dead in 3 Blasts Near Baghdad Hotels

Explosions hit popular district bordering Green Zone

(AP) - Three large blasts have struck a hotel and restaurant district popular with Western journalists and businessmen along the Tigris River in Baghdad. At least 31 people have been killed and scores more wounded. The first blast struck at about 3:40pm, near the Sheraton Hotel, just across the Tigris River... More »

 Stonehenge, Machu Picchu 
 Among 'Threatened Wonders' 

How tourists damage eight of the wonders they love most

Jan 14, 10 9:10 AM CST

Stonehenge, Machu Picchu Among 'Threatened Wonders'

How tourists damage eight of the wonders they love most

(Newser) - From the litter strewn around Machu Picchu to the noisy highway junction next to Stonehenge, mass tourism and misguided development have many of the world's most famous travel destinations looking worse for the wear. Wanderlust magazine reports on the top eight threatened wonders, what can be done to help them,... More »

 Iraq Will Sue Blackwater Guards 

Dismissal of manslaughter charges leaves Baghdad irate

Jan 1, 10 4:27 PM CST

Iraq Will Sue Blackwater Guards

Dismissal of manslaughter charges leaves Baghdad irate

(Newser) - Outraged by an American judge's dismissal of manslaughter charges against five security contractors accused of massacring 17 Iraqi civilians in 2007, Iraq plans to sue the former Blackwater Worldwide security guards. "We were expecting that American justice system is fair and independent," an Iraqi lawyer tells CNN . "... More »

224 Stories


Tourists 'keeping a low profile'
NPR

Iraq hoping to rebuild tourism sector
Reuters

The group's itinerary
Hinterland Travel

 
Iraq • travel • Baghdad • tourism • vacation • tourists

from our news partners

Please wait, content is loading
Please wait, content is loading

Just For Laughs

Loading...