Christian Peregin
Malta 'so beautiful' from the sky
Viewed from up above, Malta is beautiful, whether you are catching sight of Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, the Blue Lagoon in Comino or the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery in Paola. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.
Imagine seeing the luscious greenery of Gozo, the icy Blue Lagoon in Comino, the grand fortifications of Valletta and the Three Cities while sitting cosily with a loved one on the luxury leather seats of a helicopter.
Those are just some of the highlights offered by the new helicopter sightseeing service based at the Malta International Airport, which started operating at the beginning of this month.
The concept worked brilliantly on Valentine's Day when tens of couples booked their romantic tours around the Maltese islands and were given a rose and a bottle of champagne to set the mood.
This will be followed up by another concept tour for carnival this weekend, where passengers will have the chance to witness the Valletta and Nadur celebrations from the sky, at €49 each.
For a tour of 15 minutes, this may seem a little pricey. Even pricier is the 30-minute tour around Malta and Gozo which costs €165 per person.
But if the word spreads, the tours may prove to be extremely popular with tourists and locals who can afford them, since the thrilling landscapes and peaceful skies create an unforgettable experience.
The helicopter seats six passengers but it can also be chartered for a more private experience. The tours are leisurely paced and just right to take in the full beauty of the islands without getting bored.
Malta is an ideal location for such a tour, since within a small stretch of land you can take in the magnificent architecture, the natural beauty of beaches and coasts, and a number of green plateaus, valleys and fields. On a day with good visibility it is also possible to see Sicily on the horizon.
The operation, Malta Heli Tours, is an investment by Eagle Associates (London) Ltd, which is represented in 53 countries.
Managing director and CEO Philip Bayne hopes to move on to providing a helicopter service to Gozo and he is also willing to bring over aircraft that can travel longer distances to provide services to Libya and Sicily.
In fact, the sky really is the limit, and the company is willing to be as creative and flexible as possible with its services.
Mr Bayne said the helicopter would be ideal to take a bride to her wedding and suggests various possible packages such as one that would include wining and dining in Gozo.
But one of the current limitations is not being allowed to land in Gozo since the helipad is not operational.
"We want to promote Malta and Gozo as much as possible, especially with tourists but even with the local community. Some people have no idea how beautiful the islands look from the sky," he said.
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Joe Xuereb
Feb 18th 2009, 09:13
Interesting that elsewhere in today's edition of the Times of Malta, people are waxing lyrical about the sunset over Mellieħa. Interesting too that the experience is being touting with couples, brides, newly-weds in mind. Fantasy knows no limits especially if there is a fast buck to be gained. Fantasy is all very well provided one's feet are well and truly on the ground. Dealing with reality is not some kind of optional extra, taken on or discarded just on a whim and a fancy. There is more to life than canoodling on a luxury leather seat.. Whoever thought this up got to know that Malta is big on weddings. And is playing it to the hilt.
C.Harris
Feb 17th 2009, 19:23
@Peter Roberts don't quite get what you are trying to say exactly, but in anyhow i too will get my head down and go back to sleep. Chis Harris. (confused)!
peter roberts
Feb 17th 2009, 19:05
you should a see Wales in the frost and the snow thatsbeautiful but it feels so cold . Give me a warm sea and a barren landscape anytime.Rember beauty is in the eye of the beholder
K.Boyles
Feb 17th 2009, 16:04
Some one already said its beautiful from above when when reality sets in and down to earth, in some places in Malta and Gozo it looked as if the enemy are still hard at it and shell holes are still visible and dangerous, so you are quite safe when up there among the clowds but down here its rough & tumble and i wouldn't buy a posh car even for the lower prices we pay for them back in my country, i see so many tourists at the arrivals in Amsterdam returning back from a Maltese holiday either limping, or walking on crutches, stiches you name it its all there plain as daylight to remind one of a fantastic safe holiday on the Med. Katja Boyles
CHARLES ABELA
Feb 17th 2009, 16:00
.
@PAUL BARRETT
It’s wonderful isn’t? Try Goggle Earth and click say Rue de Rivoli Paris France, if you haven’t done so yet, you will be in for a surprise...All you have to do click on the small yellow 'man' at top left hand corner and drag....it's a virtual shot from the GROUND you can advance, go back, look right, left etc . Have a nice time viewing that unique city.
Corey Attard U.S.
Feb 17th 2009, 15:08
It might look good from above, but not when you leaving on the island.
C A amilleri
Feb 17th 2009, 14:08
I agree, Malta is beautiful when viewed from above. Its when you look at it from ground level that the other face can be seen!
T.Baber
Feb 17th 2009, 14:02
Yes ofcourse its a beautiful sight from the air high up in the sky, but don't you think its a different story altogether when one comes back down to earth.. i leave that your own imagination.. say no more nudge! nudge! T.M. Baber
Roy Perry
Feb 17th 2009, 13:40
I have been trying to contact mr Baynes for some months now to invite his company to make points to support an air service to Gozo at a meeting in Valletta tomorrow (Wednesday).
Not once have I had a reply or acknowledgement. I am very very fearful that a sightseeing helicopter, swooping low over Gozo, will seriously impair our attempts to get a quick, comforatable and quiet air service between the islands.
malta HeliTour please respond.
Phone 21554153
email mercator@onvol.net
L..Galea
Feb 17th 2009, 10:44
P Debono
A perfect comment for the environment rapists to think about.
Paul Barrett
Feb 17th 2009, 10:21
And for those with a little less money and a bit more sense - try Google Earth (also causes a little less disturbance to the financially challenged trying to get some peace and quiet).
P Debono
Feb 17th 2009, 09:57
"Imagine seeing the luscious greenery of Gozo, the icy Blue Lagoon in Comino, the grand fortifications of Valletta and five hundred monstrous cranes building obscenities while obstructing an otherwise perfect view."