There are few things as mesmerizing as the sight of a swarm of hot air balloons rising into the air over picturesque vistas. Whether you want to observe the spectacular colours from the ground, experience the thrill of flying or learn more about these giants of the sky, hot air balloon festivals in Italy are the perfect places to immerse yourself in everything hot air balloon. Ferrara Balloons Festival One of the largest hot air balloon festivals in Europe, the Ferrara Balloons Festival attracts more than 180 000 visitors to the Bassani Urban Park on the northern outskirts of Ferrara. Tea ..read more

There are few better ways to see the stunning Italian countryside than by train. Watching the green hills roll by as you make your way from Rome to Assisi is the perfect kick off an unforgettable day in Umbria. Your day will kick off at the Roma Termini in the centre of the Eternal City, where you’ll get a regional train to Assisi-Santa Maria delgi Angeli (Assisi station). You can buy a ticket at the station or book your trip beforehand on the Trenitalia website. Either way, it will cost you between 10€ and 17€ and take one and a half hours. The train ride will take you north to Italy’s “Green ..read more

1. Float along the waterways of Venice A city of immense beauty and great historical significance, Venice is a must-see when visiting Italy. One of the most unique cities in the country – if not the world – it is spread across 117 small islands separated by a network of canals. The Grand Canal (Canale Grande) is the largest waterway in Venice, with 50 palazzi and six churches lining the banks. Take a water bus or hop on a gondola and soak up the beauty of the city while floating down this famous canal. 2. Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome Originally built as a water source for the ..read more

Since we first observed birds and insects in flight, humans have been fascinated with taking to the skies. Flying has fuelled our imaginations for more than 2 000 years, so much so that ancient Greeks immortalised their dreams of soaring through the clouds in myth. Thankfully aviation has come a long way since Icarus and his feather-and-wax wings; nowadays, our jets are supersonic and our passenger airplanes fly themselves. But while these aircraft might satisfy our need to get around, there is still no form of aviation as romantic as the hot-air balloon. Head in the clouds: the invention ..read more

Siena is a stunning mediaeval city set within the heart of the idyllic Tuscan countryside. Its rich history is reflected in the unique architecture of its countless beautiful buildings, which are extremely well preserved and capture a long passed moment in time. Siena is connected by road and rail to all other major Tuscan towns and cities making it easily accessible for visitors – the city’s center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a popular spot for tourists visiting Tuscany. The absence of cars in the city’s pedestrianized center, allows you to wander its cobbled streets and take in the ..read more

It’s not often that when asking someone what they do for a living, they reply by saying “I’m a hot air balloon pilot.” So what is it like to be a balloon maestro and to give passengers this wonderful experience? How do you prepare to fly daily in this unique way? We decided to ask our very own Captain Peter Kollar about his flight preparation rituals and what a typical day in the life of a hot air balloon pilot looks like. What preparation is done the night before flying? Preparing as much as possible the night before a flight is a fundamental part of Captain Peter’s process. This is essential ..read more

There are many beautiful places to stay in Umbria and choosing where to stay will influence your overall experience of this picturesque hidden gem in Italy.   The best way to start planning where to stay in Umbria is to decide what you would like to do during your trip and which towns you would like to visit. From luxury castles, bed and breakfasts on wineries to rustic farm homestays and boutique guest houses in the Umbrian valley, there are many different types of accommodation options in Umbria. Luxury Castles Even the fairytale of staying in a luxury castle in the Italian countr ..read more

Bevagna, Umbria – October 14, 2021 – Balloon Adventures Italy today announced it has been recognized as a 2021 Travelers’ Choice award winner for things to do in Umbria.  This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to travelers around the globe, having earned great traveler reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months. As challenging as the past year was, Balloon Adventures Italy stood out by continuously delighting travelers. “We are thrilled and humbled by this award and we’d like to thank all of our guests for writing amazing reviews about u ..read more

It might seem unlikely that a basket tied to a nylon envelope is safe – even less so when there’s a propane burner throwing flames into the envelope – but hot air balloons are one of the safest ways to travel by air. If you’re not sure what we mean by “envelope”, you can take a look at our blog about the parts of a hot air balloon. Like any other vessel in aviation, hot air balloons are licenced, regulated aircraft. Pilots must have substantial training and be highly competent to operate a balloon, with knowledge of how to cope with any problems and circumstances that might arise during the co ..read more

1. Pet a cat at the Torre Argentina Situated in Rome, these ancient ruins sit six metres below the modern street level. Besides the remains of four different temples, the Torre Argentina also contains part of the portico of Pompey, the site where Julius Caesar was murdered in 44 BCE. Today, though, the site is home to approximately 130 cats. If you visit the complex in the late afternoon, you’ll see them sunbathing on the pillars and steps of the ruins. They’re difficult to spot at first, but as soon as you see one you’ll start finding them everywhere. The sanctuary is open to visitors from n ..read more