Hot-air Balloon Ride Above Florence

We just returned home from our trip to Italy, which included an incredible adventure in the hot air balloon on a morning flight over Tuscany. It was one of the best parts of our trip! The communication was easy. The directions were great, and the crew was so friendly and knowledgeable. I am a balloon pilot and can tell you our pilot Rafael was exceptional and created a safe and once in a lifetime experience for everyone in the balloon. We were treated like friends, and had a wonderful celebration at the end of the flight. If you’re thinking, you might like to go on a balloon flight I can’t imagine anyone better to go with than this crew!

My wife and I booked this experience as part of our visit to Florence. Originally we booked the flight that was supposed to go over parts of the city and then go to the countryside, but the wind conditions didn't allow flying over the city so we ended up flying over the Chianti valley. The company was completely fair, in allowing us to cancel due to the change in plan, and once we decided to still go, refunded the difference in prices between the two experiences, which are priced differently. They also arranged a pick-up from our hotel (inside the Florence ZTL) to the take-off field (and back). The flight itself was lots of fun. Some amazing views of the countryside at dawn, and the crew and pilot were very experienced and professional. I was impressed by how organized everything was, how safe it felt, and how they did everything efficiently while still being very warm and friendly. This was our first balloon ride and it was wonderful. I'd happily recommend the experience and the company to others.

unfortunately, because of wind, the Florence Balloon ride was cancelled. Will have to try again on my next Florence visit. The refund was handled promptly. Correspondence on the trip and information was very timely and appreciated.

Amazing experience! The crew was passionate and very very friendly! The weather was phenomenal and we flew higher than we personally expected lol amazing views of the wine country, and Florence. Even the coast line off in the distance! Breakfast was beautifully set up, and absolutely delicious! The drone video they took was stunning and were really happy we were able to have that video (with pictures) as an amazing keepsake of the trip! Thank you guys so so much!!!

The location had to be moved from Florence to the Chianti Hills because of the weather, which was not a problem. I was told that I would be called the night before to confirm the new location. No call was received. As we were driving to Florence for our 7 am. flight, we got a call at 6:30 am telling us of the change in location, not a problem. The caller on the phone did not speak english well, so it was very difficult to figure out where we were going. We were only 10 minutes late and they waited for us. After all of this, we were nothing but pleased with the rest of our adventure.

The team was fantastic from the initial administration to the ground transportation and of course the pilot. Every steps were well organised and executed precisely. This is help to calm any pre flight nerves. The balloon, the basket and the equipment look solid and safe. Of course the Tuscan scenery and the sun is out of this world, acres and acres in vineyards and olive grove with cypress trees. Magical to look from the top. This is the end of season, and yet it is still so beautiful with the autumn colours. To top it, we had the prosecco and cheese for breakfast, perfect Italian hospitality.

Ballooning over Tuscany was a bucket list item and this amazing team made it happen. Our pilot was thorough and helped us feel safe the entire time. Thank you so much for helping create a memory that will last a lifetime.

Excellent, Great communication All round one off the best experience. Our original booking was for a flight over Florence but due to the bad weather it couldn’t take place. But Thanks to the great communication with Renato in the office he arranged to collect us from our hotel and take us to Siena. What a great team from the ground up… Rafael our pilot took us low down over Siena wonderful views. Great landing…. Staff at The balloon site were brilliant. Great atmosphere smiles all round. I can’t phase this company enough. If you are thinking of a Balloon Trip book with this company with confidence that you will be making a great memory. Thank you.

We had Freddie as our pilot for the hot-air balloon ride over Florence. We had the best experience ever. From take-off to landing it was perfect!! The views were amazing and Freddie and the crew were outstanding. A truly unforgettable adventure!!! A must do in Florence. Thank you

We thought we were going to be disappointed by a weather cancellation but they offered a choice that turned out to be better! We got to fly over Tuscany, land in a perfect field and have a Champagne snack. Perfect day, perfect crew. Very professional and friendly. We loved every minute of it.

If I could give this more than five stars, I definitely would! My husband and I booked the hot air balloon experience to celebrate our honeymoon and we were beyond impressed. The entire Balloon Team Italia was very friendly and accommodating before, during, and even after our flight. If you want to see the beautiful landscape of Tuscany from a different point of view, then I highly recommend that you book a flight so you don’t miss out on an amazing experience!

This was the most wonderful experience!!! Absolutely do this - it’s magical!!! The whole team is fantastic and the communication was great.

What an amazing experience! It was so beautiful to float above Florence and surrounding countryside. We felt safe with our expert pilot Freddie, who was knowledgeable and friendly. Delightful picnic breakfast afterwards was a nice touch. A must do!

A very professional and friendly crew. Not a thing I would change. One of the best adventures I've ever had. Worth the time and money. And at the end they serve you a 5 Star breakfast! Well maybe not 5 star but very enjoyable.

Excellent experience..great people..very sttentive to us..could not have expected more! They took the time to make sure we all enjoyed ourselves

Seeing the sunrise in Tuscany from a balloon. Just Wow. And the helpful staff and lovely pilot Guido just made it exceptional. Thank you.

I had the privilege of lifting off in a Montgolfiere/ hot air balloon this morning over the Chianti region in Tuscany. I booked the flight online only to find that I was unable to provide my own transportation due to the hours the parking facilities were open. When I contacted the montgolfier company they made alternate arrangements to have me picked up. I was greeted early by a very friendly driver who graciously answered all my questions. At the launch site, I was able to see firsthand the operation from laying out the balloon material, attaching it to the basket, and the cool air fill followed by the jetted fires to heat the air an fully inflate the balloon. The passengers and I were invited into the basket and given a safety talk. At which time we wafted in the silent morning sky with the sun cresting the Tuscan hills. The jets of heat were the only noises to break the peaceful and serene calm with which the Montgolfier traversed the sky over the landscape. Guido and his Pilot helper were knowledgeable and answered all questions raised by the participants. To top off the flight, a continental breakfast was shared and a delightful Italian Prosecco was used to toast the adventure. The ground crew packed up the balloon, loaded the basket onto the trailer and we were escorted by our pilot and helpers back to the initial launch site. This was my first time in a Montgolfier and my questions and fears were totally alleviated by the professionalism and hospitality afforded us by Guido and his team. They planted in me rhe confidence and desire to try this type of adventure in the future.

Due to high winds our tour over Florence was moved to Tuscany. What a treat. They made every effort to make up for the last minute change of plans. They were fun and professional and I can’t recommend them and this whole experience enough. Special thanks to Jacob and Gigi

The trip was cancelled. And they did d not notify us until 15 min before takeoff when i called. Book with another carrier these people are not good.

I absolutely loved this! It was the best part of my trip to Italy! Our guide was charming, breakfast was delicious and the views were unforgettable.

Amazing experience. The balloon flight breath-taking beautiful. This is a must do if you visit Florence. Just a quick note, be prepare to arrange for transportation because the weather can change but you can get any taxi to go to the meeting place. The staff was also amazing.

They canceled the trip because of weather conditions and rescheduled for the day after, but they canceled again and I’m still waiting for the refund 😩

This was an amazing experience. Our pilot Orlando was incredibly skilled and knowledgeable. The flight was approximately 15-20km with breathtaking views. The trip felt incredibly safe and the prosecco and pastries in the field where we landed were a fitting touch to wrap this experience up.

Wonderful tour! The crew was excellent! The views was incredible! Relax and beautiful experience! Everything was perfect!

This trip was magical!! So worth it. For planning purposes, know that it gets cancelled early morning if there’s fog or bad weather. We had to reschedule for the following day.

The balloon flight was lovely. 10/10 i would do it again. However I would not book via TripAdvisor or Viator. Book directly with the hot air balloon company. They advertised that it departed central Florence- it did not. I got a text from the pilot at 10.45 the night before to say "you haven't replied to the confirmation email, are you still coming?". I hadn't recieved the confirmation email, just a text with a link from TripAdvisor to my digital voucher with directions to the departure point in Florence. I replied to the Pilot saying that "yes I will be there at 6.10 is it still the departure point in Florence?" At this point we found out it was 30km outside Florence and we had to arrange a taxi at 11pm for 5.30am the next morning. Stressful and frustrating to be adding extra cost when we had paid a premium for this tour as they advertised a central departure point. The customer service number for TripAdvisor/Viator in Aberdeen wouldn't connect. I will never book through their app again. Always go direct.

Wow, what an experience! My son and I had such a wonderful time... The balloon operator had a great attitude and shared information about the region, and the other folks in our small group made it fun. After landing, we were served juice, Prosecco, pastries, and bread. We did this in late April 2022 and the weather was absolutely fabulous. I highly recommend this!

From beginning to end BELLISSIMO!!! Quick note, make sure you are ready to arrange for transportation; due to weather and uncontrollable circumstances the meeting point will change and hopefully there isn't a taxi strike same week you are there lol. Regardless BEST EXPERIENCE!!! Starting with Guido, even with the taxi strike circumstances he was able to help us get a ride from our hotel to the takeoff point and from the landing point, Fabio our Driver was the best, friendly and kind. Every flight will be different and special. We were lucky to fly over the Chianti Valley and the views were spectacular. Our pilot Federico (i hope that I remembered his name correctly? was nothing less than Great and amazing. Got to almost 3k ft above ground and the views of the sunrise and villas was indescribable. Flew for about 1 hr and then landed super smooth and had a delicious Italian breakfast waiting for us once we got off the balloon. As mentioned previously this was nothing less than AMAZING. Worth every dime.

Absolutely Amazing! This is what we were looking forward to on our trip and it was better than expected. I would definitely recommend as they went above and beyond to give us a once in a lifetime experience.

The staff was outstanding and extremely friendly. The care and attention to detail required to do their job is truly remarkable.. However what is not disclosed at booking is that the chances of flying over Florence are slim to none. I was extremely disappointed to pay a premium to fly over Florence and not be able to go. Instead the launch site was moved to Tuscany but there where barely any winds and we mostly hovered in one spot. Nice to experience but I would not recommend doing.

This was the highlight of our trip!! Although the weather prohibited a Florence-based flight, the tour staff contacted us the night before and we were able to have an unforgettable balloon ride over Chianti, Tuscany. Frederico was a wonderful pilot and we will never forget the autumn leaves of Tuscany that day!!

Unique experience, very helpful staff!

Fantastic experience made with my family (including the two 8-year-old twins). An experience absolutely worth doing at least once in a lifetime, the fantastic staff from the welcome to the final goodbyes, always ready to give you a smile and convey joy. Congratulations to all the staff, a special shout-out to the always courteous Renato, punctual in assistance, kind and smiling, and also to our super pilot "Tommy" who made our flight a fantastic experience with unforgettable simplicity and care. If two 8-year-old girls could do it, anyone can do it. Thank you all!! Roberto

A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE TO TRY IN LIFE!! I was with my family, which includes two 8-year-old girls, and it is a fantastic experience suitable for all ages. Compliments to everyone, starting with the warm welcome, full of smiles and kindness. A special thank you to the courteous Renato and the "super" pilot Tommy, who made our hot air balloon flight calm and unforgettable. Thank you all! I recommend everyone to try this emotion!!! Roberto!!

Absolutely wonderful experience! Not only for the location and favorable weather... you know, the balloon flight is beautiful, and in the valley of Chianti then! But a note of merit goes to all the staff, for the kindness, organization and above all the spirit with which he made us all live this adventure... we had a great time! And they also organized a truly unique breakfast, with products of excellent quality! Absolutely to repeat!

Hot air balloon experience just perfect. Impeccable organization, extremely qualified staff and driver, professional and at the same time kind and helpful at all times. The flight over the Tuscan hills, in the area of San Casciano Val di Pesa, was something indescribable: breathtaking views, wonderful light and a truly unique feeling of peace and freedom. To make everything even more special, a splendid breakfast on landing with local products, both sweet and savory, attention to detail. An experience that I recommend without any doubt, to be lived at least once in a lifetime.

fantastic experience .. staff very prepared and helpful beautiful view of the Chianti... highly recommended!!!!

A true experience, in every sense. I chose this company almost by chance, without knowing that it was the largest in Italy. I chose well. The flight was postponed twice by wind — and each time the decision came without hesitation, without the gain weighing on the scales. For those with a background in aviation, like me, this is not a detail: it is the foundation. I flew with my five-year-old girl, who dreamed of touching the sky. I saw her do it safely, alongside people — from first to last — exquisite, discreet, authentic. I was also lucky enough to exchange a few words with my fellow passengers, with all the people who played a decisive role in the experience, with the founder, present that day: the same measure and seriousness that is perceived throughout the organization. At a time when finding true professionalism, honesty and human warmth in the same place is rare, this experience was a luxury. Not just for the sky above the Chianti Valley, but for the people who make you experience it. Thank you all! See you soon 🌈

Fantastic experience with empathic staff and unique professionalism. The organization was impeccable and the flight gave us unimaginable emotions. I also chose this experience for the marriage proposal and I must say that the team was impeccable for making the “yes” even more magical. With your drone you captured the moment to make it even more memorable. Thanks to Renato, Tommaso, Guido and all the staff of Balloon Team Italia for being part of our history!

A birthday present for my sister who was worried at the very thought of it. But the team was spectacular, fun and played it down by convincing her to come up. TOP. Experience that I would recommend to everyone. Organized efficient and excellent refreshment at the end with excellent products.

Beautiful experience and very kind and professional staff! In the end even a nice breakfast!

I got my birthday voucher. Beautiful experience, the weather was on our side. I felt a feeling of lightness as I lost my gaze in the beautiful panorama. Our driver Tommaso was super nice and helpful.

Fantastic birthday gift, the feeling of floating in the air is unparalleled, serious and professional team.

Despite the predictions made us worry we managed to enjoy this magical experience. A really organized and very professional team accompanied us on an exciting and beautiful flight! From the driver to the guys who stayed on the ground and came to pick us up with cars, everyone was always kind and helpful. Finally we had the surprise of a hearty and tasty breakfast that was worth getting up at dawn. Really recommended!!

Impressive flight and view nothing short of wonderful. Beautiful views... flying at 3800 meters literally in the clouds does not happen every day. To do at least once in a lifetime.

Unique experience, well organized. Staff very kind and competent. 2 hours to disconnect from the banality in a muffled and magical environment. Absolutely to be deprived.

Imagine a late June morning, get up at dawn, step inside a wicker basket topped by a balloon inflated by giant fans and get ready to enjoy one of the best shows you will ever experience! Don't think too much about the tanks next to you! It's beautiful. It's nothing like anything else. It's a silent flight, taking you up and down. You choose the direction the wind. The sun caresses your face. The world is all under you. Give yourself a gift! The team is great, they are very good, nice and kind! Thank you, it was super!

Fantastic experience that deserves to be lived! Impossible not to be amazed by the surrounding landscape and the charm of the hot air balloons! Flight of an absurd tranquility, it almost seems to watch a movie or dream. Special thanks to the staff, the hand and competent, especially to Renato who with his smile and his availability has been able to organize everything with great professionalism, making us feel like family. Sweet and savoury breakfast as a worthy conclusion to this fantastic experience.

Unforgettable experience! Very kind and professional staff, especially our driver Tommy! Highly recommended!