Merill Rural Tourism Project featured on Malta's National TV station

Guests at Tas-Salut Orchard

While temperatures are rising we bid farewell to a busy spring and welcome summer time. It has been a busy season hosting many locals and tourists on our farm venues. In the meantime we also started off an EU funded project entitled "To enhance, strengthen and assist the Merill Rural Tourism Network".

This €110K project which is 80% funded by Leader Funds and managed by the Majjistral Local Action Group Foundation, involves several tasks, including purchasing of small scale investments, training of the members within the network and marketing. 

Dissemination of information is being carried out with regards to Malta's rural treasures focusing on the Majjistral region. All the attractions being promoted are taken care of by the farmes and arstisans within the network. They feature unique farms and workshops in rural villages including Mosta, Mtarfa, Mgarr, Rabat and Dingli. 

Yesterday our project was featured on the news thanks to Malta's national TV station - Television Malta. The feature (in Maltese), highlighted the experiences offered by Merill as well as outlined the project in relation to three of the members within the network. Mr. Antoine Vella, an artisan, was interviewed at his workshop in Rabat. Tan-Nixxiegha Olive Grove was also filmed and described as a museum of trees, herbs and endemic species. Last but not least the stunning views and surroundings at Tas-Salut Orchard, a Mediterranean fruit orchard, were also featured.

The other members within the Merill Rural Network who are participating in this project are Carmel and Paul Cortis of Cortis Vineyards, and Karl and Mario Scerri who are full-time farmers.

Online article in Maltese 

Turisti jinghataw esperjenza fil-kampanja Maltija, tradizjonijiet u kultura.

Source: www.tvm.com.mt
Click here to watch news clip in Maltese

A la découverte de Dingli

Dingli Cliffs

Situé à l’ouest de Malte, Dingli est un petit village au charme certain. Sa quiétude et la beauté qui l’entoure font de cette ville une destination idéale pour tous les amoureux de la nature. On flânera avec plaisir dans les ruelles jusqu’à la majestueuse église paroissiale de saint Marie qui domine l’horizon.

La balade se poursuit le long de la route côtière et offre une vue saisissante sur l’océan. En s’aventurant vers les terres agricoles qui longent la côte, on sera frappé par la beauté de ces paysages naturels qui s’offrent à nous. Les imposantes falaises de Dingli ne peuvent nous laisser indifférent. Notre regard se plonge vers le rivage nous laissant sans voix face à cette beauté inégalable.

Chemin qui mène aux falaises

La douce chaleur du soleil accompagnée de mets Maltais seront les bienvenus pour clore en beauté cette journée.

Malte est un pays étonnant et possède de nombreux trésors à découvrir tout au long de l’année.  

Si vous souhaitez de plus amples renseignements sur Merill Eco Tours, rendez-vous sur notre site internet Merillecotours.com ou écrivez nous à notre adresse internet à info@merillecotours.com 

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Insightful tasters of Nature Walks in Dingli

Yesterdays Agrarian and Traditions fair was visited by thousands of locals and tourists. A large number of stands, folk music, and exhibitions gave the fair a varied perspective of what can a rural village offer. The Dingli Local Council organised this event with the aim to involve the local people in activities that keep traditions alive.  

Both the stand and mini tours gave a taster of how nature walks can be informative and fun. During the short walks, the Verdala Palace surrounded by Buskett could be viewed from a distance. The guests following the tours asked lots of interesting questions, especially about the tale of the two tailed lizard living on the uninhabited island of Filfla. We're proud about the level of awareness being created. The richnesses that our tiny islands offer are to be proud of. 

What's next? Temperatures are rising and more exciting eco-tours are being planned. For more updates about Nature Tours in Malta contact us on info@merillecotours.com.

Nature Walks in Dingli - next Sunday 15th May 2011

Verdala Palace as seen from Dingli Cliffs

The preparations for the yearly Agricultural Fair at Dingli are almost ready. People from Dingli (in Maltese "Dinglin") are proud of their rural village and promote it's beauty amongst locals and foreigners alike. This event, organised by the Dingli Local Council, and will feature the very best of agriculture practices, produce and traditions. The Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene will be the landmark for this activity, as it's parvis and surrounding area will be all nicely set up with stands, livestock and exhibitions. We are glad that this year we're part of this initiative. 


An information stand will be present all day long and we're looking forward to meet visitors and provide them with information about the variety of places of interest within Dingli. At around 1.00pm short nature tours will start. Small groups will be accompanied by one of our knowledgeable licensed guides to areas close by. Items such as geology, biodiversity and archaeological sites in Dingli will be explained. 

Other items that are not to be missed are: 

- Milking of sheep and goats

- Sheep sheering

- Demonstrations showing the making of cheeslets

- Renactments

- Band and Parade of Dingli Scouts

- Antiques show

- Local wine tasting

- Fruit and vegetable displays

- Traditional local food and pastries

- Tombola and other local games

Thumbs up to the Dingli Local Council for taking such an initiative and investing in the promotion of local nature, culture and tradition!