RARE TOUR TO REMOTER MIDDLE EAST INCLUDES IRAQ

OFF the beaten track travel company, Far Horizons has a holiday for the more adventurous next April that includes nine days in Iraq…

But it’s not the searingly-hot, war-torn moonscape of Iraq seen on nightly television, rather the northern region of the country that is lush and green with snow-capped mountains – and with its own semi-autonomous regional government and parliament, military, flag, language and culture.

And Iraqi Kurdistan is the only region of Iraq officially recognised internation-ally as an autonomous federal entity, is developing international-standard hotels and is welcoming to the Western visitors it is encouraging to its region.

Far Horizons’ visit will be part of a 24-day fully-escorted tour by air and road  of Turkish and Iraqi Kurdistan, and will include a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul, ancient castles, boating on a picturesque mountain lake, museums, historic picture-book towns and villages, and a fascinating cave temple; there are stays of 2- and 3-nights in some cities to take-in all that’s rare to their areas.

South Australia’s Martin Wright who founded Far Horizons in 1976 is visiting Iraqi Kurdistan this month to meet with the region’s Minister of the Interior and local tourism operators.

To register interest in this unusual April 2009 tour and to receive a brochure and prices when they are released shortly, phone 1800 083 141 or visit www.farhorizons.com.au