Anyone planning a trip to Iraq will have at least a few questions surrounding visas, money, and transportation – for starters. Not to mention the big ones: is it safe? Is it possible to travel independently? Really - what's it like to travel in Iraq? We had an amazing trip and that's why we're sharing our experience here - along with our 14 day itinerary for independent travel in Iraq, plus tips and advice for how to DIY in this wonderful bit of the world.

We took a daytrip from Karbala to the site of ancient Babylon. But wait, there's more - Saddam Hussein had a palace handily located overlooking the ruins. It's easy to get to Babylon by yourself on public transport, but getting into the palace is easier said than done. This post is about how to get to Babylon from Karbala, and explore Saddam Hussein's palace while you're at it (...if you're lucky).