Sydney by seaplane: Is there a more spectacular city harbour than Sydney's? We think not, especially from the air. Departing from the water in Rose Bay, Sydney Seaplanes offer scenic flights in a classic de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and a smaller Cessna Caravan Amphibian. Flights range from a short loop over Bondi and the city (including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge) to a longer flight to the northern beaches and back, including the harbour icons. Fly and dine packages allow you to extend the flight into a gastronomic experience with meals at Jonah's Whale Beach, Berowra Waters Inn on the Hawkesbury, or Bells at Killcare. And no one has to drive home.
Balloons over Bagan: From whatever angle you view them, the ancient temples and stupas of Bagan in Myanmar are extraordinary. However, seeing this archaeological site bathed in soft dawn light from the basket of a hot air balloon is magical. As you fly, you'll have glorious views of the Irrawaddy River, the mountains hazy in the distance and more than 2000 temples built between the 9th and the 13th centuries. Other than the intermittent blasts of the burner, the only sounds are of rural life: dogs barking, cows lowing and the odd chicken. The burgundy-hued balloons perfectly complement the colours of the temples. Photo opportunities don't come better than this
Bungle Bungles by plane and helicopter: The Indigenous artists of the Kimberley region would probably argue that the Bungle Bungles, Western Australia's most iconic geological formation, are best seen and depicted from the ground. However, for most visitors, the ultimate view of the Bungle Bungles is from the air. It's a four-hour, two-flight experience. First you take a fixed wing aircraft from Kununurra over Lake Argyle and the Ord River dam, past the massive Argyle Diamond Mine. Landing at the remote airstrip in the heart of World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, you then board a helicopter for a 30-minute scenic flight above these unique rock formations in myriad shades of ochre.
Manhattan transfer: For a city with as many iconic skyscrapers and monuments as New York, a helicopter flight is the ultimate vantage point. Departing from the Downtown Heliport on the East River, Helicopter Flight Services offers a variety of trips from a 15-minute flight as far as Central Park and a longer 30-minute journey that takes you uptown past the George Washington Bridge and back to the Statue of Liberty. Each flight follows the Hudson River alongside (rather than over) Manhattan. Ground Zero, Soho, the West Village, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building are highlights of every trip. Check weather forecasts before you book.
Wanaka flightseeing: With the snow-capped mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park in the background, the landscape around Lake Wanaka will simply take your breath away. Seeing it from a meticulously well-preserved 1940s Tiger Moth or, for couples, a 1930s Waco biplane with Classic Flights Wanaka just adds to the romance. If you're really game, you can combine a scenic flight with actually flying the plane yourself. During a short scenic flight in a Piper Cherokee, you'll take off, cruise and land the plane under the direction and watchful eye of your instructor. Now that's an adrenalin rush.
Hong Kong by chopper: There's little that can top a stay at The Peninsula Hong Kong, except perhaps a scenic helicopter ride above and around Hong Kong, from the hotel's roof. The 20-minute circumnavigation of Hong Kong island provides a bird's-eye view of the environments for which the city is famous: Victoria Harbour; soaring office and residential towers from Causeway Bay to Sheung Wan; the leafy and exclusive Peak; the mountainous, unpopulated interior; Aberdeen's superyacht marina and Ocean World theme park; and the relatively uncrowded southern areas of Repulse Bay, Stanley and Shek O. Fly and dine, or spa and dine packages are available too.
Bungle Bungles by plane and helicopter
The Indigenous artists of the Kimberley region would probably argue that the Bungle Bungles, Western Australia's most iconic geological formation, are best seen and depicted from the ground. However, for most visitors, the ultimate view of the Bungle Bungles is from the air. It's a four-hour, two-flight experience. First you take a fixed wing aircraft from Kununurra over Lake Argyle and the Ord River dam, past the massive Argyle Diamond Mine. Landing at the remote airstrip in the heart of World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, you then board a helicopter for a 30-minute scenic flight above these unique rock formations in myriad shades of ochre.
From whatever angle you view them, the ancient temples and stupas of Bagan in Myanmar are extraordinary. However, seeing this archaeological site bathed in soft dawn light from the basket of a hot air balloon is magical. As you fly, you'll have glorious views of the Irrawaddy River, the mountains hazy in the distance and more than 2000 temples built between the 9th and the 13th centuries. Other than the intermittent blasts of the burner, the only sounds are of rural life: dogs barking, cows lowing and the odd chicken. The burgundy-hued balloons perfectly complement the colours of the temples. Photo opportunities don't come better than this.
easternsafaris.com/balloonsoverbagan_home.html
Hong Kong by chopper
There's little that can top a stay at The Peninsula Hong Kong, except perhaps a scenic helicopter ride above and around Hong Kong, from the hotel's roof. The 20-minute circumnavigation of Hong Kong island provides a bird's-eye view of the environments for which the city is famous: Victoria Harbour; soaring office and residential towers from Causeway Bay to Sheung Wan; the leafy and exclusive Peak; the mountainous, unpopulated interior; Aberdeen's superyacht marina and Ocean World theme park; and the relatively uncrowded southern areas of Repulse Bay, Stanley and Shek O. Fly and dine, or spa and dine packages are available too.
With the snow-capped mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park in the background, the landscape around Lake Wanaka will simply take your breath away. Seeing it from a meticulously well-preserved 1940s Tiger Moth or, for couples, a 1930s Waco biplane with Classic Flights Wanaka just adds to the romance. If you're really game, you can combine a scenic flight with actually flying the plane yourself. During a short scenic flight in a Piper Cherokee, you'll take off, cruise and land the plane under the direction and watchful eye of your instructor. Now that's an adrenalin rush.
classicflights.co.nz
Manhattan transfer
For a city with as many iconic skyscrapers and monuments as New York, a helicopter flight is the ultimate vantage point. Departing from the Downtown Heliport on the East River, Helicopter Flight Services offers a variety of trips from a 15-minute flight as far as Central Park and a longer 30-minute journey that takes you uptown past the George Washington Bridge and back to the Statue of Liberty. Each flight follows the Hudson River alongside (rather than over) Manhattan. Ground Zero, Soho, the West Village, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building are highlights of every trip. Check weather forecasts before you book.
heliny.com
Sydney by seaplane
Is there a more spectacular city harbour than Sydney's? We think not, especially from the air. Departing from the water in Rose Bay, Sydney Seaplanes offer scenic flights in a classic de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and a smaller Cessna Caravan Amphibian. Flights range from a short loop over Bondi and the city (including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge) to a longer flight to the northern beaches and back, including the harbour icons. Fly and dine packages allow you to extend the flight into a gastronomic experience with meals at Jonah's Whale Beach, Berowra Waters Inn on the Hawkesbury, or Bells at Killcare. And no one has to drive home.
