1-Hour Hot Air Balloon Flight over Tuscany from Florence

Float above rolling hills and vineyards, then land to Champagne and a light breakfast

A 1-hour hot air balloon flight over Tuscany departing from San Casciano in Val di Pesa, where you rise 2,000–3,000 feet to see rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves, medieval villages and distant castles. The experience includes an expert captain and crew, a safety briefing, the option to help inflate the balloon before takeoff, and a post-flight toast with Champagne and croissants with local products. The exact launch spot varies by wind and weather. You'll be notified the day before. Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel can be arranged for an additional cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon flight over Tuscany

• Receive meeting point details
• Meet captain and crew
• Attend safety briefing
• Help with balloon aeration (optional)
• Take off from San Casciano
• Fly over Tuscan countryside
• Admire hills, vineyards, and castles
• Land and toast with Champagne
• Enjoy light breakfast
• Return to launch site or hotel

The experience

You'll meet your captain and crew near San Casciano in Val di Pesa, about 20 minutes from Florence in the heart of the Chianti Valley. After a safety briefing, you can help with the balloon's aeration if you want to, then step into the basket. The flight lasts roughly an hour, and you'll climb to heights varying between 500 feet and 3,000 feet depending on the wind that day: high enough to see the whole landscape shift beneath you, low enough to make out the details.

From the air, you'll watch the Tuscan countryside unfold: rolling hills dotted with cypress trees, vineyards and olive groves, medieval villages, and castles that anchor the ridgelines. On clear days, you may spot San Gimignano, Poggibonsi, and even Pisa in the distance. The wind carries you over what nature shows you that morning: no two flights see the same route or the same light.

When you land, the crew will toast the flight with you over a glass of Champagne, then serve a light breakfast with croissants and local products. If you've booked the transfer service, you'll be taken back to your hotel. If not, you'll return to the launch site under your own arrangement. The exact launch spot changes based on wind and weather, so you'll receive the final location and itinerary the day before your flight.

What’s included

• Expert captain and crew guiding the flight.
• safety briefing before takeoff.
• 1-hour balloon flight rising to 2,000–3,000 feet.
• one glass of Champagne after landing.
• light breakfast with croissants and local products.
• transfer from the landing site back to the launch point.

Options for this experience

2 options

Flight OnlyGuide in English or Italian · No fixed timeBegins and ends at the launch site in San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tuscany

Flight plus TransportGuide in English or Italian · No fixed timeBegins and ends at your centrally located hotel in Florence

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Balloon Team Italia

Is this one for you?Book the flight-only option if you're staying nearby or arranging your own transport to San Casciano. Choose the flight plus transport package if you want hotel pick-up and drop-off included, since the launch site is about 20 minutes from Florence and changes based on weather the day before your flight.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How high does the balloon go on this flight?

The balloon rises between 500 feet and 3,000 feet depending on wind conditions that day. Most of the flight takes place in the 2,000–3,000 foot range, high enough to see the full sweep of the Tuscan landscape.

What's included after the balloon lands?

After landing, you'll receive a glass of Champagne and a light breakfast with croissants and local products to celebrate the flight. A transfer back to the launch site is included. Hotel pick-up and drop-off can be arranged for an additional cost.

Can I help prepare the balloon before takeoff?

Yes, if you wish, you can help with the aeration of the balloon before stepping into the basket for your flight. A safety briefing is given before takeoff.

Will I see San Gimignano and Pisa from the air?

On clear days, you may spot San Gimignano, Poggibonsi, and even Pisa in the distance from the balloon. What you see depends on weather and wind conditions on the day of your flight.

How far is the launch site from Florence?

The launch site near San Casciano in Val di Pesa is about 20 minutes from Florence. The exact spot varies based on wind and weather. You'll be notified of the final location the day before your flight.

Is hotel pick-up available?

Hotel pick-up and drop-off can be arranged after booking for an additional cost. You can reserve the transfer service even the day before your flight if you haven't decided yet.