Friendly Planet Travel Kicks Off Phase II of Its “Win the World” Facebook Sweepstakes, Giving Away 3 Additional Exotic Getaways

Fans can enter to win a free exotic vacation for two to one of three Friendly Planet destinations.

First up, a 14-day, air-inclusive Best of Turkey tour

JENKINTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Surfing on Facebook has become much more profitable ever since Friendly Planet Travel launched its “Win the World” Sweepstakes. In the kick off of Phase II of the amazing, six-destination giveaway on Facebook, just one click enters fans to win a trip of a lifetime for two to three incredible destinations.

In the first phase of the sweepstakes, three exotic trips for two—to South Africa, Peru, and China—were awarded to Facebook fans during the period of January 1 to March 31. After the excitement of Phase I, and a one-month hiatus to catch its breath, Friendly Planet Travel is ready to launch Phase II.

The first drawing, scheduled for June 1, will award a free trip for two to Turkey on Friendly Planet Travel’s popular Best of Turkey program, valued at more than $5,000. A second drawing, scheduled for July 1,will award a free trip for two to Ireland on Friendly Planet Travel’s A Taste of Ireland tour; and a final drawing, scheduled for August 1, will award a free trip for two to India on Friendly Planet’s Taj Mahal Express tour.

Like Phase I, Phase II will give travel aficionados a chance to escape to an exotic destination with included flights, great hotels, some meals, and plenty of escorted touring.

The “Win the World” Sweepstakes is open to all legal U.S. residents over the age of 21, beginning May 1, 2012 at 12 p.m. EDT and ending July 31, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. To enter to win, visit Facebook.com/FriendlyPlanetTravel, become a fan of the page, and enter the required information. There is no purchase necessary to enter the sweepstakes, and the winner will be announced on Friendly Planet Travel’s Facebook page, the Friendly Planet Travel website, and the Friendly Planet Travel blog.

The first of the three prizes in the sweepstakes is a getaway for two to the crossroads of Europe and Asia—Turkey. All of the inclusions travelers expect from Friendly Planet Travel are included: round-trip airfare from New York’s JFK airport on Turkish Airlines (including fuel surcharges); ground transportation and transfers within Turkey; and 12 nights in superior, first-class hotels. The package also includes 12 buffet breakfasts and 10 dinners; a professional, English-speaking tour director; a comprehensive touring program; and more.

The tour visits Istanbul, where travelers will see unique and iconic sites, including the Blue Mosque , the Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar. Travelers will also visit Ankara, Turkey’s capital city, and Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with famous rock formations and underground cities.

The trip also includes a visit to the Mediterranean resort of Antalya, a bustling city and resort town; Pamukkale, an area filled with many hot springs and stunning white terraces; and Kusadasi. Travelers will also take in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and famous for the Temple of Artemis, Temple of Hadrian, and the Great Theater. The ruins of Pergamon; the famed ancient medical center in Asklepion; and the ancient city of Troy, best known as the focus of the Trojan War, are also visited.

The Best of Turkey tour concludes with a ferry across the Dardanelles; a visit to Gallipoli, where one of the fiercest battles of World War I took place; and a farewell group dinner.

The other two tours that will be awarded in Phase II of the “Win the World” Sweepstakes are:

• A Taste of Ireland: a seven-day tour, valued at more than $4,500, takes travelers to Dublin, Ireland's capital and most populous city. The tour also makes stops at the Ring of Kerry; Muckross House, known as one of the most sumptuous residences of Ireland; the majestic Cliffs of Moher; Medieval Kilkenny; and more.
• Taj Mahal Express: a nine-day tour, valued at more than $4,000, takes travelers to fascinating and exotic Delhi; Agra; the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most famous monuments; and the “Pink City” of Jaipur.

For more information about Friendly Planet Travel, please visit the company’s website at www.FriendlyPlanet.com; the blog at blog.FriendlyPlanet.com; or contact Jackie Zima-Evans at 610-228-2138 (office), 215-534-2973 (mobile), or write to [e-mail]. To enter to win and for continual updates about the giveaways, check out Friendly Planet Travel’s Facebook page.