60 days in United States, United Kingdom & Iraq Itinerary

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

The “Sunshine State,” Florida became a favorite winter destination for the affluent crowd over a century ago. Today, the state attracts visitors from around the world with its golden beaches and modern theme parks. You can spend your entire vacation enjoying the state's highly developed seaside areas, but remember that some of Florida's best-kept secrets are in secluded locations. Visit the big cities and their comfortable resorts offering top-notch dining and nightlife, but leave some time to see the peninsula's swampy landscape, filled with wild creatures and native plants. Farther away from the tourist-packed urban areas, the untamed wetlands of Florida offer a selection of things to do, such as kayaking, boat rides, and numerous other outdoor activities.

Home to an impressive 25 World Heritage sites, the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has hundreds of museums to explore, thousands of parks and gardens to stroll through, and tens of thousands of communities to discover. From Land’s End in the south to John O’Groats in the north, the country is packed with tourist attractions that can fill a range of itineraries. With nearly 30 million tourists visiting every year, the UK is ranked among the top ten holiday destinations in the world. Known for its royalty, this country also represents a diverse patchwork of native and immigrant cultures. Although Britannia no longer rules the waves, it possesses a captivating history and a dynamic modern culture, both of which remain hugely influential on the rest of the world.

Located practically in London's backyard, Kent features a lush countryside dotted with thriving farms and fruitful orchards. Popularly known as the "Garden of England" due to its extensive agriculture, Kent has historically been the focal point for invasion attempts from Europe. In a fascinating reversal, the region is now a major embarkation point for tourism to mainland Europe. This area is also the beer heartland of England, with flourishing production of world-famous Kent hops, fine ales, and award-winning local wines, all of which are a must on your list of things to do here. The long coastline includes numerous beach towns and villages, many still retaining their Victorian charm. A holiday would not be complete without a visit to the pride of Kent, its celebrated Canterbury Cathedral, the most famous religious structure in England and a World Heritage Site.

Encompassing the fertile area between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers once called Mesopotamia, modern Iraq is marked by turmoil, torn between its rich historical heritage and recent instability and bloodshed. Few tourists choose to vacation in Iraq, put off by reports of violence and destruction that have shaken the country to its core. Still, the semi-autonomous province of Kurdistan remains seemingly insulated from the chaos of the rest of the country. This small region draws a growing number of foreign travelers, enticed by the area's rugged appeal and numerous lakes, archaeological sites, and impressive mountains.