I was going to write a full review of the DJI Mavic Air I bought earlier in 2018, but let’s face it, the internet has no shortage of drone reviews. I decided it would be better to discuss the topic of how useful a drone actually is for the enthusiast traveller/tourist, and whether it can justify not only the cost but the space it will occupy in your luggage.
To address the cost issue first, the drone set me back just over £1,000 – no small amount of money. However, putting it into perspective, a lot of enthusiast travellers will invest in a decent SLR camera with one or two lenses. This would set you back anywhere from a few hundred pounds for entry-level or second hand kit, to several thousand for professional equipment. On that basis, I would argue the drone is fairly good value given its capabilities.
After using the drone on several different islands over the summer, I think the biggest challenge was planning trips around safe and uncrowded locations to fly. Even though I take a pragmatic approach when using the drone (I don’t intentionally break any laws, but providing I’m not bothering anyone or doing something dangerous, I’ll fly), it still requires some forward planning. Which admittedly, I’m not particularly good at. With a camera, you just stick it in your bag and whip it out whenever a good photo op comes along. The drone not only requires a safe space to operate, but it also takes a few minutes to set up.
What you get in return, though, is a totally unique perspective on your holiday. I really can’t describe how it feels to fly hundreds of feet above the ground, getting stunning aerial views of Greek villages, coastlines and mountains. If you are in any way interested in photography and want some unique memories of your Greek (or any) holidays, I can thoroughly recommend investing in a drone.