Iraq, possibly not at the top of most peoples travel lists due to the continued problems following the recent and ongoing wars in the country, is a country steeped in history and historical names that trip off the tongue of most senior school attendees.

Mesopotamia, the centre of modern Iraq, Babylon and the magnificent Hanging Gardens and reputedly the Garden of Eden.

Baghdad, a strategic stopping point along the silk route, was a major centre of learning for the Assyrian and Babylonian empires.

The hope is that once the troubles in Iraq are resolved, tourism will return to an astounding country full of history, relics and artifacts.