Friendly Planet Among the First to Offer Authorized Travel to Cuba

People-to-people educational exchanges open a world of meaningful interaction between Americans and the people of Cuba

JENKINTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After several years, Americans are again able to travel to Cuba under a new program from the U.S. Treasury Department aimed at helping Americans interact with the people of Cuba through educational exchanges concerning art, music, culture and a whole host of other topics. Friendly Planet Travel, which for more than 30 years has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers experience exotic locales around the globe, is proud to be among a handful of travel providers to be awarded a people-to-people license.

“These trips offer Americans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Cuba of today and to learn firsthand of Cuba’s past, present, and future as well as its evolving relationship with the U.S.”

“For more than 30 years, Friendly Planet has been about the transformation that occurs when people of different cultures interact and share their perspectives on their lives,” says Peggy Goldman, founder of Friendly Planet Travel. “We’re now extending our model to Cuba by offering an exhilarating opportunity to meaningfully connect with the people of Cuba—all at a price that just about anyone can afford, but, for geopolitical reasons, never thought possible.”

Friendly Planet Travel is organizing and operating two educational trips, both of which include round trip airfare from Miami via U.S. Government-licensed charter service and letter of authorization, as well as a Cuba entrance visa. Each trip includes all land transportation; superior hotel accommodations; all meals; comprehensive programs of educational exchanges organized by Friendly Planet with a professional, English-speaking guide who will facilitate these exchanges; and a Friendly Planet representative who will lead you throughout the trip.

The five-day Discover Havana program, priced at $1,899, allows Americans to interact in direct and open educational exchanges with Cubans concerning, among other topics, Havana’s vibrant culture and rich history at some of Havana’s most historic and significant locations. The longer, eight-day Colors of Cuba program, priced at $2,899, offers a more in-depth program of educational exchanges throughout this diverse island nation, at many of its most culturally significant sites. Among these are Old Havana; Cienfuegos; and Trinidad, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“These trips offer Americans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Cuba of today and to learn firsthand of Cuba’s past, present, and future as well as its evolving relationship with the U.S.,” says Goldman. “In essence, we have unlocked a rare cultural experience, a mere 90 miles from the U.S. Both programs are designed to open dialogue between people by allowing both Americans and Cubans the rare opportunity to directly connect and interact with one another. Never have we been more excited about a program, and never has Friendly Planet been able to deliver so much on our long-held mission of transforming the lives of those who travel with our programs.”

The five-day Discover Havana program departs May 16, 2012 and Sept. 12, 2012 at the $1,899 rate. Friendly Planet’s eight-day Colors of Cuba program has the following departures at the $2,899 rate: March 18, 2012 and April 15, 2012.

For more information on Friendly Planet Travel’s Discover Havana or Colors of Cuba programs, please visit the company’s website at www.FriendlyPlanetTravel.com; the blog at blog.friendlyplanet.com; or 800-555 5765. For more information about Friendly Planet Travel, contact Jackie Zima-Evans at 610-228-2138 (office), 215-534-2973 (mobile) or write to [e-mail].

ABOUT FRIENDLY PLANET TRAVEL

Friendly Planet Travel 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. You can also follow Friendly Planet on Twitter and Facebook.