Fly to Athens on New Low Fare to See Once-in-a-Lifetime Events and Attractions

Sydney, Australia, August 07, 2009 --(PR.com)-- * See the Vancouver Winter Olympics Torch Lit at Olympia this October
* Visit the Brand New Acropolis Museum in Athens
* Race in or Watch the Original Marathon Course from Marathon to Athens in November

Australian discount flight website, Direct Flights, has released a new low airfare to Athens to enable more Australians to visit three unique events and attractions in Greece ? the lighting of the Vancouver Winter Olympics relay torch at Olympia this October, the original marathon race from Marathon to Athens this November and the new Acropolis Museum which opened in Athens in June.

The discount fares to Athens with Etihad Airways are available on www.directflights.com.au from $1504 return, including taxes, from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The fares are on sale until August 28, 2009, for travel from September 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010. *

While booking flights on www.directflights.com.au, travellers can also reserve accommodation, transfers, car hire, tours and attractions in Greece. Flights booked with Direct Flights are free of any extra booking fees and the website also allows six flexible payment methods including payments at post offices.

Major attractions and events in Greece this year include:

Olympic torch-lighting ceremony at Olympia

On October 22, 2009, Australians can visit the ancient Olympics site at Olympia, a four-hour drive from Athens, to witness the Vancouver Winter Olympics torch being lit in a ritual ceremony among the ruins performed by women dressed as priestesses. A concave mirror is used to turn the suns rays into fire an ancient Greek symbol before the torch begins a long relay to Vancouver for the Winter Games there next February. The traditional ceremony is held before every Olympics to rekindle the burning of flames at the ancient Olympics which were held at Olympia from 776 BC. Spectators are allowed near the ceremony and can also visit an Olympics museum at the World Heritage site.

Athens Classic Marathon the Original Marathon

Australians can enter or watch Greece?s biggest annual sporting event the Athens Classic Marathon - on November 8, 2009. Drawing thousands of entrants from around the world, the famous 42km course from the namesake town of Marathon to Athens retraces the ancient route taken 2500 years ago by a foot soldier who, legend has it, ran to the capital to bring news of a victory over the Persians at the Marathon battlefield before dropping dead. The race ends at Athens historic Panathinaiko Stadium the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. The striking marbled stadium was used for archery and the finish of the marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Runners can enter the ancient race as part of a special package for 80 (about A$135) before October 18 via www.athensclassicmarathon.gr. Shorter 5km and 10km races along the route are also available.

New Acropolis Museum

Athens striking $200 million Acropolis Museum opened next to the famous ruined-topped mount in June this year to showcase more than 4000 ancient artifacts including some of the best surviving sculptures which once adorned the Acropolis. Entry to the multi-columned museum is only one euro (about $1.70) until the end of 2009.

* Conditions apply. Fares subject to availability and increases in taxes and fuel charges.

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