FLY BALLOON ABOVE TUSCAN LANDSCAPE

Chianti is the heartland of Tuscany—loved, feared, and fought over for 2,500 years. Its painters, poets, and philosophers inspired the Renaissance. To know Tuscany is to love it, and there is no better way to fall in love than in a hot air balloon! Grab the memory of a lifetime with a balloon ride with Chianti Ballooning.

The Associazione Aerostatica Toscana is based in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa which is situated 16Km west of Castellina in Chianti on the hills along the Pesa valley. It is strategically positioned on the ancient crossroads of two Roman roads - the "Via Cassia" leading from Florence to Siena and on to Rome, and the "Via del Chianti" towards San Donato and Castellina in Chianti. The launch site is situated along this road close to the geographic center of the Chianti region.

From here, you will fly over the legendary Chianti landscape with its hilltop towns, castles, valleys, famous vineyards, and mixed woodlands. A powerful landscape, one of the most civilised rural scenes on earth, cultivated tranquility of olives, vines, and corn. The olives' silver and the many variegated shades of green appear as a veil over elemental majesty and silence. On clear days in the distance you can see Florence to the North and the Apennine mountain range in the background; to the West you can see the Elsa valley, San Gimignano, Certaldo, and Volterra and the sea in the far distance; to the South, Poggibonsi, Colle Val d'Elsa and Siena and Monte Amiata in the distance; to the East the higher Monti del Chianti and mixed oak woodlands.

We fly in the early morning just after dawn. The inflation takes about 30 minutes, and the flight approximately 1 hour depending on wind and weather conditions. After landing we load the balloon back onto the retrieving vehicles trailer which follows the balloon throughout the flight. Once the balloon is packed away we move on to enjoy a marvellous champagne breakfast with local produce. After breakfast we drive back to the launch field. The whole adventure takes about three and a half hours.

Although we fly all year round, the "ballooning season" is approximately late Spring to early Autumn with annual variations. Weather in Chianti can be tricky and unpredictable, especially in early spring; but the months of the summer are regularly good for ballooning. Winter flights can be absolutely breathtaking, with an incredible palette of colors, sharp clear views and looking down into the leafless forests covered with a veil of white frost. The silver olives and the barren vines look just stunning. In winter takeoff is a little later in the morning, as the weaker sunshine isn't as hot as in spring. As all flights are subject to wind and weather, obviously these winter flights are not as regular as in during the "ballooning season".

Flights are subject to weather conditions, and for safety we fly only in the calmest of conditions.

Balloon Ride Champagne breakfast 220,00 € per passenger. More than 8 passengers on quotation.
Honeymooner flight 750,00 € (basket reserved only for two)

All flights are wind- and weather-permitting. They are subject to availability and at least a 48-hour advance reservation is required. Your booking will be confirmed by submitting a credit card number as guarantee.
If the Pilot has to cancel due to wind and/or weather, your flight will be rescheduled to the next mutually convenient day.

No flight, no charge. If you cancel within one week, a cancellation charge of 25% of the total will be required. If, at your scheduled time to fly, you are no-call, no-show, your credit card will be charged in full. If you pay cash you will have 5% discount. Children minimum 10 years of age.

For the Guests of Casa Landi the price is discounted : Euro 200 per passengers instead Euro 220.