Since I was a little boy I have loved the thought of flying. Anytime I had the chance to go for a flight I would take it. I have been lucky enough to have a few very unusual opportunities including a Lear Jet, a B 24 Liberator and a 1923 Curtiss Robin just to name a few. However until my wife and I visited Barcelona, Spain I had never been up in a helicopter so when Tonia agreed to join me in the adventure I jumped at the chance.
On the morning of our flight I opened the mytaxi app on my phone to set up our taxi ride– easy to use and functions a lot like Uber, which is not allowed in Barcelona. Our taxi arrived in minutes and off we went to CatHelicopter Barcelona. The heliport is located right on the Mediterranean. I mean if you are going for a helicopter ride this would be the place to do it – stunning views all around. Our ride for the morning was a Eurocopter Ecuriel AS355 F2R Biturbina. I had made our reservations for the flight online before we left home so all we had to do was check in with the very friendly flight crew and head out to our waiting helicopter & pilot. With are hearing protection in place we got all buckled in and ready to fly over what I believe is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The pilot gently lifted off the ground and gracefully backed us out over the Mediterranean and then turned us NNE and headed up the coast. The sky was mostly clear and the air crisp – a beautiful day to be in the sky above Barcelona. After a couple of minutes flying up the coast we turned inland over the city. We flew over la Sagrada Família, the Montjuic Castle and then over the main Stadium for the 1992 Summer Olympics. There was so much to take in it truly took my breath away.
Returning to the coast we turned back north again and with great sadness for the flight being over reached the heliport in just a few minutes. The landing was just as smooth as the rest of the flight. It was everything I was hoping for and more – I will do it again the next chance I get!
If you are in Barcelona and have the time this is money well spent. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments or ideas for other bucket list items. Also start your own bucket list sooner than later.
Let’s explore the world together and as always…eat, drink and be vegan.
