Outdoor

Balloon Flights in Montalcino

A hot air balloon ride differs from day to day. Depending on the wind, we will be transported in one of the many possible directions.

The hot air balloon is a gracious, delicate and kind ride: it does not take off in an armoured vessel like an airplane, but it alights with grace, becomes ever lighter, slowly reveals the wonder below and lands on the ground in a friendly manner. The hot air balloon is the dream of mankind in its youth, ttrust in the world, unexpected discovery, returning to childhood.

Duration

Half day

Type

Group tours

Intensity

Active

Lunch

Not Included

Family

Yes

Transportation

Not Included

Following the myth of Icarus and its dream, old as mankind, let’s fly over Tuscany by an hot air balloon

The hot air balloon is a colourful ball full of hot air that floats in the sky, toys with the hilltops and teases the villages from above carried aimlessly by the wind. A hot air balloon ride differs from day to day. Depending on the wind, we will be transported in one of the many possible directions. It is trust in the world, unexpected discovery, returning to childhood. The hot air balloon is a gracious, delicate and kind ride: it does not take off in an armoured vessel like an airplane, but it alights with grace, becomes ever lighter, slowly reveals the wonder below and lands on the ground in a friendly manner. The hot air balloon is the dream of mankind in its youth.

The flights start around 6am to enjoy the sunrise and the gentle winds of the early morning.

Arriving to the launch site you will find all the expert crew to welcome you and the deflated balloon laid out on the grass.,The wicker basket, with its propane fuel tanks and powerful burner units, is waiting in the middle of the lawn. Here, the last lines are secured. Now, we can help if we wish: we are given pairs of gloves which we use to lift the mouth of the balloon from both sides of the basket while our pilot starts to fill it with hot air from the inside. Ever so slowly, the hot air balloon takes shape; it gets bigger and slowly rises up above our heads, until it is straight up above the basket. We load up with the final objects: radio, maps, and backpacks… Finally we get in the basket with a touch of emotion: we are just about to fly!

Take off

The lines are released and we start to move slowly. The burner units then spit fire from their steel mouths with force and we rise up, lightly, towards the crowns of the trees. We skim over them and continue on up passing through the light veil of the morning fog. We surpass the shadow of the valley to meet the pure sunshine of the morning. Everything changes, and we take in every moment in awe of the ever-shrinking breathtaking landscape below us. We do not even know where to look first; we are surrounded by wonder.

The ride

Here we are, dancing in the sky with the swallows and the falcons. From up here, we clearly see the three-dimensionality of the sky, its blue vastness. The pilot remains in close contact with the vehicle on the ground that follows us to estimate where we will land. Then the pilot talks about this incredible geography on the three-dimensional map below us while we remain enraptured by the shades of ochre, green and blue. Used to flying, the pilot is never distracted and always keeps an eye on the flight instruments while the other on the land below to point out some of the highlights on land: a sounder of wild boars with its piglets running along brush roads, the clay pinnacles of the Val d’Orcia badlands, the bell towers of Pienza…

The hot air balloon can either go up or go down; it is the wind that decides the direction. The skill of the pilot is therefore to foresee, anticipate and paint. And this is our painting as we visit Monticchiello: we gently start to descend and the pilot slowly takes us down as we skim over the historic town walls. We silently pass lower than the rooftops, a woman unbelievingly waves to us from her window. With our conspicuous colourful hat, we get the attention of the old folks in the town square who stop their chatting to stare mouths wide open until a great breath of fire pushes us up in the air once again, and Monticchiello becomes but a spot on the painting behind and below us.

Landing

Further ahead, we descend once again. We pass right above a country home and a flock of sheep near La Foce. Lower still, we fly past the hills over a freshly cut field. Drifting very slowly a metre or so from the ground, we finally touch down lightly and we stop. The balloon is deflated quickly and the light breeze lays it down on the grass. It is time to toast. Our vehicle reaches us. We pop open a bottle of Prosecco and Brunello and raise our glasses in the air.

What's included

  • the balloon flight led by an expert certified pilot
  • “Survivor Breakfast” with Prosecco wine and local foods
  • Transfer back to the take-off point trying to follow the flight route to show passengers the locations they have just seen from sky

What's not included

  • gratuities
  • transfer from your hotel to the lunch site (available as an extra: contact us)
  • anything not listed in the section “Included”

Season & Timing

From mid-May to mid-October.
Meeting time at take off point at 6.00 am. Landing around 11.00 am.
Return to the take-off at about 12.00 am.
We will call you after 19.00 the night before a morning flight confirming the right weather conditions or not.

Meeting Point

Some days before the flight you will receive both a detailed printable map and a Google Maps version to reach the location to meet in the Val d’Orcia countryside.

Or contact us if you would like to reserve private transportation from/to your hotel.

Kids

Kids admitted from 7 years. Younger children or below 130 cm (51.18 inches) in height are not allowed

Prices

  • Adults: € 280 per person

Included

  • The balloon flight led by an expert certified pilot
  • “Survivor Breakfast” with champenois Spumante Trento Doc and local foods
  • Transfer back to take-off point with private vehicle. The path will try to follow the flight route to show passengers the locations they have just seen from sky.

REMEMBER: ballooning is a weather dependent activity so if the flight has to be cancelled and cannot be rearranged at your convenience then you will receive a full refund within three working days of the flightdate.

FAQ

Are kids admitted on this tour?
Kids are admitted to fly starting from the age of 7. Younger children or below 130 cm (51.18 inches) in height are not allowed

Can you pick us up at our hotel in Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Siena, Firenze, San Gimignano, Chianti, etc…?
Yes of course. We will provide you, before the booking, a specific quote for this extra service.

Pickup Points: Siena, Florence, Montepulciano, Montalcino.

Departures: Everyday

Season: From May to October

Start from € 280
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Would you like to modify this tour or design your own experience in Tuscany?
Let us know your needs and wishes and we will tailor the perfect program for your trip to Italy.

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Starting from € 280
Balloon Flights in Montalcino