Why not climb aboard a hot air balloon and admire Florence from a different perspective flying over its wonderful monuments? Nothing is impossible! Flights for individuals, couples or groups so you can set yourself free in the air with your heart racing and your eyes firmly fixed on the beauty of the city extending in all directions. These can be arranged by Vastano Mongolfiere.

The departure points are varied. The most picturesque ones depart from the foot of San Niccolò Tower along the River Arno and from the magnificent Gherardesca Garden of the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze.

The excursion takes place when it is cooler and more scenic: at sunrise or sunset when the difference of heat temperature is right inside and outside the balloon, it can then lift off.

Once it is ready for take-off, the balloon begins to inflate, the burners are lit and the hot air opens and completely inflates the balloon, lifting it up from the ground.

The higher the balloon is in the air, the more sweeping views it offers, enabling us to be in the amazing picture as spectators and actors. The green and white marble engraved façade of the Basilica of Santa Croce, the large eight-crowned dome of the Medici Chapels, the Duomo with its Giotto’s Bell Tower… It almost feels like you can touch them with your hand. Then gradually when the pilot takes you up higher, Florence gets smaller and smaller and the green of the cypress and olive trees come into view and that is when you get to see Forte Belvedere, piazzale Michelangelo and the Basilica of San Miniato.

From here you can go on and reach the soft rolling hills of Chianti scattered with cypress trees.

(photo: Dario Garofalo)