Assisi & Umbria: Hot Air Balloon Ride, Winery Breakfast & Wine

Summary

Sunrise balloon flight over Assisi ending with wine and breakfast

You’ll float at sunrise over Assisi and Umbria in a hot air balloon piloted by Italy’s most experienced captain, then share an Umbrian breakfast and wine tasting at Cantina Dionigi winery. Expect laughter with fellow travelers and views you’ll remember long after landing.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the quiet. Not silence, exactly — there were birds, and someone down below shouting “buongiorno!” as we drifted up from Cantina Dionigi. But it’s the kind of hush that makes you realize how loud your own thoughts are. Our pilot, Peter (he’s British but somehow more Italian than me), just grinned and pointed out Assisi glowing pink in the early light. I didn’t expect to feel so calm up there, honestly.

You can see all the way across the valley — olive groves, vineyards, these little stone villages that look like they haven’t changed in centuries. The air smelled faintly of grass and something sweet I couldn’t place (Peter said wildflowers, but who knows). My hands were cold on the basket edge, but it felt good. Someone asked if we’d go high enough to see Rome or Florence — Peter laughed and said, “Maybe if you squint.” So yeah, not quite that far, but close enough to feel like you’re floating above every postcard you’ve ever seen of Umbria.

Landing was bumpier than I thought (they warned us), but nobody minded because breakfast was waiting back at the winery. Fresh bread still warm from the oven, cheese that tasted like sunshine somehow, and local wine even though it was barely 9am — apparently that’s tradition here. Our little group toasted with glasses of white while the winemaker told stories in Italian so fast I only caught half of it. Li tried to translate for me and we both ended up laughing too hard to care.

I keep thinking about that view over Assisi when the sun hit the rooftops just right. It’s one of those mornings that sticks with you — not perfect or dramatic, just quietly beautiful in a way you only notice later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hot air balloon ride and tasting

• Meet at Cantina Dionigi winery
• Take off for hot air balloon flight
• Fly over Assisi and Umbria landscapes
• Return to Cantina Dionigi
• Enjoy wine tasting and Umbrian breakfast

Top questions

How long does the hot air balloon ride over Assisi last?

The flight lasts about one hour before returning to Cantina Dionigi for breakfast and wine tasting.

Is breakfast included after the balloon ride?

Yes, a traditional Umbrian breakfast is served at Cantina Dionigi winery after landing.

Are alcoholic beverages included on this tour?

Yes, wine tasting is included as part of your experience at the winery after your flight.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour begins and ends at Cantina Dionigi winery near Assisi in Umbria.

Is hotel pickup provided for this hot air balloon ride?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet directly at Cantina Dionigi winery.

Who is allowed to join this balloon adventure?

The tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women past 3 months, children under 6, or those with recent major surgery or chronic back/neck pain.

How far is Assisi from Rome or Florence for this day trip?

The Valley of Assisi is about a two-hour drive from both Rome and Florence.

What’s included

Your morning includes a roughly one-hour hot air balloon flight over Assisi and Umbria with an expert pilot, followed by wine tasting and a full Umbrian breakfast served at Cantina Dionigi winery before heading back out into your day.