Helicopter Flight Services is proud to operate top-of-the-line, high-performance Bell407 (up to 6 pax) and EC130 (up to 7 pax) helicopters. The spacious cabins and high visibility windows have been specially designed for sightseeing which allows 180 degree views; no other helicopter operator in New York City can offer these unobstructed views. The Bell and EC130 have proven to be safe, fast and powerful helicopters giving an incredibly smooth ride in virtually all conditions.
Pilots are specially trained on both types of helicopters and the state-of-the-art safety system, TCAS. TCAS is an onboard radar system that allows pilots the advantage of managing the air traffic around them. All passengers enjoy their flight with voice interactive headsets to hear and speak to the pilot and each other.
Helvetia Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of St Petersburg in the same building as the Swiss Consulate the hotel will offer you privacy rest and will help you to make your trip to the Northern Venice truly wonderful. You will find the hotel by far one of the best deals in all of St Petersburg.
Itinerary
Depart Edinburgh at 08:15 and travel west, past Stirling castle to your first stop at Doune Castle. This area of Scotland has certainly seen its fair share of fighting and warfare. Stirling castle was once known as the 'Key to Scotland', and it was here that William Wallace (immortalised by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart) defeated the English army in 1297. After William Wallace's death it was Robert the Bruce who continued the fight for independence and you will pass the site of his most famous victory in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn. Then you arrive at the fantastic medieval stronghold of Doune castle. Built for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany, over 600 years ago the castle is still in great condition and you will have time for photos. You might even have seen the castle before, it was made famous by the film 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail', with many scenes filmed here.
You then continue a little further on to Callander. After a short coffee stop you cross the Highland boundary fault line leaving the rolling farms for the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands. You will make a short stop at Loch Luibnaig before you continue over the Braes of Balquhidder, the final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy was a sort of Highland Robin Hood, he stole from the rich, but never quite got round to giving it to the poor!
From Balquhidder the tour winds its way through the tough knot of mountains known as Breadalbane (meaning the 'high country of Scotland') before we stop for lunch in a small West Highland village. Shortly after lunch you stop for the short walk out to visit Kilchurn Castle, a magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the Campbells of Breadalbane. You will continue along the banks of Loch Awe through Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here you can visit the 18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. (castle open Easter to mid-October). The town was built at the same time as the castle and has the air of a classic 18th-century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses. You can take time to explore the town and maybe call at the Old Jail or the maritime museum, the Arctic Penguin.
Leaving Inveraray, you take a drive up through the steep-sided mountains known as the Arrochar Alps to the great viewpoint at 'Rest and Be Thankful'. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe. From here you skirt around Loch Long and down to the Bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. You make a short stop at the conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses and stunning views across the loch. At 17.30 you make your way back to Edinburgh, with a short photo stop underneath Stirling Castle.
Return time: 18:30 approx
Get ready for a Wild West adventure at the Grand Canyon West Rim!
Your professional driver / guide will provide expert live narration en route to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, while you sit back and relax in true luxury on board our state of the art luxury motor coaches. Your tour will begin with a photo stop of the Hoover Dam taken from the amazing O’Callaghan-Tillman Bridge, with enough time to enjoy the majesty of this engineering masterpiece, take some photos, then back on the road to the Grand Canyon.
Listen to your friendly and knowledgeable guide offer expert narration as you travel through the ancient Joshua Tree Forest en route to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon for approximately 4 hours of sightseeing and exploration time. Don't forget to add the Skywalk tickets to your experience and walk the Sky! Experience breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon at Eagle Point from the Skywalk with unparalleled views from this unique glass and steel structure.
You will also enjoy an exhilarating Helicopter and Pontoon attraction which will take you on a breathtaking descent into the Grand Canyon landing about 100 feet away from the Colorado river. From there you will be taken by a native guide down the Colorado river on a relaxing 20 minute cruise as you witness towering cliffs of the Grand Canyon from the calm water.
All vehicles offer WI-FI on all tours:
15 minutes - free up to 25MB
1 hour - $2.95 up to 255MB
3 hours - $4.95 up to 655 MB
24 hours - $14.95 up to 1000 MB
