Friendly Planet Travel Sets Sail for Athens and Greek Isles Cruise in Contemporary Luxury

Three days in Athens and a three-day Greek Isles cruise for $999

Jenkintown, Pa.-June 18, 2009-As Greek Philosopher Plato wrote, "at the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet." Well, at the first touch of Greece, everyone becomes a lover. Now and until July 17 for just $999, travelers can experience all the ancient wonders and ultramodern luxuries of Greece on Friendly Planet Travel's Athens and Three-day Greek Isles Cruise. And this magnificent price doesn't skimp on the details. Vacationers enjoy three nights of eye-popping Athens with deluxe hotel accommodations, and a three-day cruise to Mediterranean's most beautiful islands and coastal towns aboard the cruise ship M/V Aquamarine. Alluring ports of call include Mykonos, Rhodes, and Patmos in the Greek Isles, as well Kusadasi, Turkey.

The three day journey throughout bustling Athens includes a panoramic city tour to orient yourself to the important sites and sounds of the city, followed by days and nights of exploring the outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets, parks and gardens, outdoor bazaars, dilapidated mansions, and ancient ruins, on your own or through an inexpensive tour. Travelers will garner a full understanding why this colorful tapestry of eastern and western influences is hailed as the birthplace of the western world, the father of democracy, and the Paris of the Mediterranean. At night, vacationers will enjoy all the comforts of the superior Titania Hotel in the heart of Athens.

During the three-day cruise, vacationers take in the dazzling beaches; labyrinths of winding alleyways and whitewashed buildings; basket-laden donkeys; cascading geraniums; and upscale shops, discothèques, and restaurants of the Greek Isles. Optional shore excursions include ancient cities; archeological sites; and fascinating webs of Byzantine, Turkish, and Latin ruins. In Kusadasi, Turkey, there is also an optional tour that includes the Great Theatre of Ephessos, which had a capacity of 25,000 people; and the Library of Celsus dating back to 135 A.D. Not to mention all the luxuries and activities aboard the M/V Aquamarine.

As with all Friendly Planet Travel packages, the low $999 price includes airfare from New York (JFK), fuel surcharges, all group transfers, superior hotel accommodations, buffet breakfast daily in Athens and all meals aboard the cruise, touring and more. Book by July 17 to enjoy these savings of up to $600 per couple included in the deal price. And there are no extra charges if you choose to pay by credit card. Have some more time? There's also an Athens and four-day Greek Isles tour for only $1199. Both trips cover the same ground, but the four-day cruise also stops at Santorini, Greece's most popular island, and Heraklion, Crete.

"In Athens, the past meets present and east meets west in a way unlike any other country in the world," says Peggy Goldman, President of Friendly Planet Travel. "Today, you can tour ancient monuments and works of art, such as the Parthenon on the Acropolis, amidst a city overflowing with Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman monuments, as well as modern landmarks from the 19th century Hellenic Parliament to the towering, modern-day Olympic stadiums. On the streets, ultra-stylish young men and women buy fruit from grandmothers sporting head scarves, and shop in the gorgeous boutiques that line the city's many squares. While off the coast lie the Greek Isles, with some of the most resplendent and culturally rich coastal towns in the world. You'll see it all on our Athens and Greek Isles cruise. And you'll see it in the comfort and style that you expect from Friendly Planet Travel."

             The next Athens and three-day Greek Isles cruise departs from New York Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Oct. 28, with two more departure dates scheduled for 2009 and two in 2010. To book or for more information on the Athens and Greek Isles cruise, please visit the Friendly Planet Travel Web site, or contact us.

ABOUT FRIENDLY PLANET TRAVEL

Friendly Planet Travel (http://www.FriendlyPlanetTravel.com) makes high-quality exotic travel affordable for everyone. Since 1981, Friendly Planet Travel has been arranging all-inclusive escorted discount vacation packages and cruises to the most exciting destinations in the world at the lowest possible prices.

Each year, Friendly Planet Travel offers more than 30 different group travel packages to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South America-at discounts of hundreds of dollars off similar vacations. With no hidden charges, add-ons or surprises, Friendly Planet Travel vacations include convenient flights and airfare, carefully-selected first-class and superior hotels, knowledgeable English-speaking guides, many meals and itineraries as well as friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

Friendly Planet Travel offers its extensive, economical travel services to private groups including universities, religious institutions, alumni associations and families. Groups who wish to travel together can count on Friendly Planet Travel's three decades of experience to operate their group travel program expertly and always at the very best possible prices. Visit us at www.FriendlyPlanetTravel.com.