If you’re looking for a new experience and want to try an adventure for your holidays, a ride in a hot air balloon may be the answer. Enjoying the view from above is amazing, flying high as though you were a bird. But where to go? Several tour companies offer a lot of interesting packages, for example with breakfast included, or wine tasting, or dinner and more. Here are six great places in Europe to ride a hot air balloon. Ready to fly?!
1. Turkey
Riding a hot air balloon here, you will typically take off at sunrise and ride for about an hour in the air wherever the wind may blow. Turkey has many beautiful places providing hot air balloon tours but the most impressive and famous one is in Cappadocia. Alternatively, you can also ride a hot air balloon in Pamukkale and enjoy flying over the white travertine pools and the ancient ruined city of Hierapolis. In Turkey, it is possible to fly every day, even in the wintertime.
2. Spain
In Spain you can also ride a hot air balloon over some beautiful cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Segovia. There are various package tours on offer covering many destinations, from trips which fly over the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Segovia to those where you can look down on the vineyards of the Rioja Wine Country. An extra perk to the rides is that you can enjoy some snacks and even wine during the flight, now that’s a meal with a view!
3. Italy
Who doesn’t like Italy? Great food, lovely weather and stunning landscapes, perfect for a hot air balloon ride. Discover the incredible places from above with trips over Tuscany, Milan, Lazio, Barolo and even Rome. Every place has a different view and provides different experiences. Hot air balloon riding over Tuscany from San Casciano in Val di Pesa is perhaps the most famous one, flying over the countryside and vineyards is really spectacular.
4. Lithuania
Lithuania has beautiful destinations to offer the tourist from all around the world and is possibly one of the best destinations to ride a hot air balloon. You can choose where you want to fly, for example a great option is to admire Lake Galve’s islands and shoreline in Vilnius from above, or fly over its charming old town.
5. France
What a gorgeous experience to see the vineyards, castles, beautiful valleys, and lavender fields from above in France! You can choose where you want to fly, from Burgundy region, Amboise, Pommard, and more. On board the balloon you can taste traditional wine while watching the stunning views change as you go by.
6. Switzerland
Switzerland is the home of many balloon companies and you can ride to some stunning places. The most famous one is the balloon ride in Gstaad. You can fly above the Swiss Plateau, the Jura Mountains, and even the Alps. The region of Gstaad is also the host venue of the annual International Balloon Festival in the Swiss Alps. During the winter it is spectacular to see the land covered by snow and you can fly above the clouds, very impressive.
