Visite d’une ferme maltaise, dégustation d’huile d’olive et découverte de Marfa.

Si vous êtes à la recherche d’une expérience unique pour profiter d’un moment spécial avec la nature, alors n’hésitez pas, lisez la suite.

L’authenticité de ce tour prend tout son sens dès que vous vous engouffrez dans cette charmante ferme. Baigné dans une atmosphère chaleureuse et conviviale, vous serez tout de suite accueillis par le chant des oiseaux et par de nombreux autres animaux. 

Les propriétaires vous accueilleront au sein de leur domaine et prendront soin de vous guider tout au long de cette expérience. Au-delà du métier, c’est avant tout la passion pour la nature qui a amené cette famille à vouloir partager leurs connaissances de la terre avec les touristes. La culture de l’olive est un savoir-faire qui s’est transmis de génération en génération.

En flânant entre les oliviers, un chemin vous amènera au lieu de la dégustation. Perché sur les hauteurs, ce petit coin de paradis vous offre un panorama saisissant sur une campagne verdoyante et sur les villages aux alentours.

Si vous êtes en quête de nouvelles sensations pour vos papilles, vous vous régalerez en dégustant ces succulentes olives vertes. Frais et croustillant, savourez le pain Maltais et trempez le dans l’huile d’olive. Au cours de ce voyage gastronomique si vous fermez les yeux vous pourrez peut être entendre le chant des cigales. Pour parfaire cette expérience culinaire, un rafraichissement vous sera généreusement offert.

Cette excursion sera l’opportunité de partager un moment de grande complicité avec une famille traditionnelle Maltaise.

Cette dégustation sera suivie d’une très jolie promenade dans la campagne. Profitez de cet instant pour respirer quelques bouffées d’air frais et prenez quelques minutes pour admirer le paysage qui s’étend devant vous. De nombreuses fleurs et plantes poussent à cet endroit. Agenouillez-vous et frottez entre vos mains le romarin dont le parfum de garrigue évoque le soleil et la mer.

L’excursion se poursuit vers Marfa. Hors des sentiers battus, notre guide vous conduira vers un site méconnu du grand public et peu connu des locaux.

Non loin de la tour rouge, vous profiterez d’une vue imprenable sur les îles de Comino et de Gozo. Vous serez transporté par la beauté de la mer méditerranée avec ses nuances de bleu. Vous poursuivrez votre balade vers un lieu que peu de gens connaissent. Situé à proximité de l’embarcadère pour Gozo, ce lieu regorge de surprises. Votre guide vous dévoilera l’histoire et les secrets de cet endroit.

C’est dans cette atmosphère fascinante que se termine cette expérience unique. Coup de cœur garantis pour cette journée riche en émotion, en découverte et surtout en rencontre.

Si vous souhaitez recevoir plus de renseignements sur nos excursions, n'hésitez pas à visiter notre site internet Merillecotours.com ou écrivez nous à notre adresse internet à info@merillecotours.com 

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Wild Thyme turns landscape purple

Wild thyme dominates some of the garigue habitat in Malta, Gozo and Comino. It spreads all around an ecosystem that looks barren and yet is very rich in biodiversity. The sun and sea are valid reasons to come to Malta. How about visiting the islands to enjoy nature? Yes we do have nature here in Malta. The diving industry has been going strong for years. Activities on land are picking up and since we started up Merill Eco Tours people ask us, "but what can one do on barren land". Our answer would be "Believe us, there is so much we can offer!!"

For those nature lovers who want to experience the heart of the Mediterranean, I strongly suggest you follow one of our eco tours! The way the nature merges with history and traditions is amazing. The photos in this post portray Wild Thyme, an aromatic herb. Bees forage on such plants to create excellent honey. Walking is not the only activity one can do and let's face it...we won't be doing ecotourism if we would organise just walks! Ecotourism is about conservation and bringing about positive experiences even for the hosts, in this case the farmers, who are always pleased to accept us on their land to directly witness their passion.

We are offering packages with fresh ideas for various tourism sectors. Do not hesitate to contact us on info@merillecotours.com for further details.

Ecotourism in Practice

The Farmers Market - a showcase of culinary richnesses

This term has been around for quite some time but still, it hasn't grown its roots here in Malta. Statistics and other related information about what happens in Malta are limited. Before starting off Merill Eco Tours, I read many books about this topic and accessed a lot of views and methods through social media. Travellers want to have a say before and after their trip. This is positive to us since we are very much focussed to create experiences rather than tours!  

So how can we put Ecotourism into practice? First of all, we need to understand the real meaning of Ecotourism. Its principles are clear and well spelt out. Minimizing the impact on the environment is on top of the list. Malta is a small island with limited resources. Conservation of our few natural resources such as land (including soil), water and biodiversity should be on top of the agenda of all tourism operators. Then comes the aspect of awareness. I meet many people who are sceptical about Malta and Gozo's potential for eco and agri-tourism acitivities. Wake  up people...we are in the middle of the Mediterranean, surrounded by beautiful beaches, our eco-cultural landscape is varied, local people are charming...the "only" thing we need is to build sustainable bridges amongst industries. Let's say, if a restaurant chooses to purchase local foods, then catering industry is embracing the agriculture industry thus supporting rural life and biodiversity. Who will take care of the fields, and thus the landscape, if all the farmers are gone, or all Malta is built up!?

Another example is that of having nature being featured on images representing Malta. Eco is now a buzz word that many use, but how much eco is there in photos of Malta? If one Googles Malta, many images of Valletta, Comino and beaches show up. This is fine, but we have much more to offer. I met a couple of Gozitans last week who were really disappointed when Dwejra is the only place mentioned in many brochures promoting tourism in Gozo. Gozo is still very rural and can showcase farming, nature and village life style.

"What to see" and "what to do" in Malta, Gozo and Comino needs to be changed in order have a more sustainable tourism industry. Having thousands of people visiting Valletta and Mdina is fine. The historical aspect in these locations are fantastic. Shifting some of the activities to rural areas can reduce the pressures onto historical sites, beaches and other popular areas. There again, let's all be careful as not to invade the quite rural areas, and respect the local people. Noise and traffic can disturb rural villages so it needs to be slow and controlled. 

What is Ecotourism? - Alternative and sustainable Tourism

Il-Merill "Tweet Tweet"!

The Blue Rock Thrush - Photo taken by Mr. Michael Sammut

Here is a lovely photo taken very recently by a keen local birder - Mr. Michael Sammut. Since we started up Merill Eco Tours many locals told us..."I have never seen one!". Well, it's a pity that many Maltese people have never seen our National bird. Others recall the popular children's song which goes....Il-Merill "Tweet Tweet"! And no, it's got nothing to do with Twitter... :)

Our mascot, the Blue Rock Thrush is not that rare in Malta an is not that difficult to spot it close to the cliffs around Malta, Gozo and also Comino. Before spotting it you might actually hear its lovely melodious call!

What's so special about Diving in Malta?

Barracudas [photo by Ms. Sonya Silvio]

The Maltese Islands offer amazing diving sites for experienced divers and beginners. The rich and varied marine ecosystems are excellent to explore. Sea water is characterized with deep drop offs and visibility is clear. Outstanding topography and rock caves formations as well as many sea- wrecks make diving an experience not to be missed. Qualified instructors provide courses and guided dives around Malta, Gozo and Comino offering the latest equipment and information during every dive. Diving is an all-year round activity. Diving in winter offers the advantage that many species of fish move inshore to shallower, slightly warmer waters which are not disturbed by swimmers in winter. This offers divers a much better opportunity to observe and photograph marine life. On the other hand, waters are warmer in summer thus making it possible for divers to wear a light 3mm diving suit.

Information provided by Ms. Sonya Silvio

Tourism and Social Media - Showing the Beauty of Malta, Gozo and Comino

I strongly believe that by sharing information on social media is excellent to disseminate environmental information, while create awareness amongst locals and foreigners.

Like our fan page on Facebook :) Merill Eco Tours Fan Page