We booked the balloon tour near the end of a two week honeymoon in Hawaii and California, and it was certainly a highlight of the trip. We were picked up promptly at 515 outside of our hotel(Hilton Garden Inn) along with another group. We were brought to their staging area at Domaine Chandon and checked in, as others mention they have some light food out which was perfect(take advantage if you haven't eaten because your out for a while). A guy who I would assume is the owner gave a safety speech and somewhat discreetly advised that we would not be flying over the valley, we'd actually be flying up in Winters, CA due to fog.
Now when you sign the paperwork that morning you'll see that this is a possibility...though I guess I just didn't expect it to happen to us and I thought it was a little strange how casual he was about the change. That being said, it did not matter. We had to drive about 1 hour but once we got there and took the flight it was absolutely incredible. We flew over farmland and it may have been even more interesting to see then the valley itself.
Our pilot was Ken and he was fantastic, I really felt comfortable with him in control. The ride is so smooth you don't even realize how high you've gotten, the views are absolutely incredible. It does get warm because of the burner so be prepared, and if you have short hair it really is nice to have a hat(wish I had listened). The sun is also strong so put on a little sunscreen if your worried. You may get caught off guard because you get up so early it's cool and dark but by the time we were flying it was warmer and the sun was really coming up.
I enjoyed the breakfast after and checkout and payment was easy. We then got picked up for our Platypus Wine Tour right there around 1015. Now I don't know if the whole morning takes as long if you stay in the valley, and if it takes less time then I feel we would have been back too early for the wine tour. As it is we felt it was time to leave the area around 10 and waited down near the parking lot for our pickup.
I do have one complaint, the employee that drove our van was a pretty bad driver, it was bad enough we were in the back but her driving did not help matters. I would have also appreciated the driver communicating a bit with us about how much farther we had to drive or how things would work once we got there. Despite my bitter mood from the drive there and back the balloon ride itself was so great that I'm looking past it and still giving the deserved 5 stars. Highly Recommend, this is something that is perfect for a...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of experiencing a hot air balloon ride with napa valley Ballones and I must say that it was an extraordinary adventure that surpassed all my expectations!
From the very beginning, the company's professionalism and attention to detail were evident. The booking process was seamless and their customer service team was extremely helpful in answering all my questions and accommodating my preferences. They were also very thorough in providing all the necessary information and safety guidelines, which made me feel confident and at ease.
On the day of the flight, everything was perfectly organized. The pilot and the ground crew were friendly, experienced, and their passion for hot air ballooning was truly infectious. They made sure that all passengers felt comfortable and excited about the journey ahead.
As we ascended into the sky, I was captivated by the stunning panoramic views that unfolded before my eyes. The feeling of serenity and awe that swept over me is truly indescribable. The pilot's knowledge of the area was impressive, as they pointed out various landmarks, shared interesting facts, and made the entire flight both informative and entertaining.
The hot air balloon itself was in impeccable condition, and the company's commitment to safety was evident throughout the entire experience. I felt completely secure and well taken care of at all times.
To top it off, the post-flight celebration was a delightful surprise. The company provided a delicious breakfast, complete with champagne, which allowed us to reflect on the incredible journey we had just undertaken.
In conclusion, my experience with Napa Valley Balloons was absolutely unforgettable. Their exceptional service, attention to detail, and commitment to safety truly set them apart. If you're looking to embark on a breathtaking adventure, I wholeheartedly recommend booking a hot air balloon ride with this incredible company. They will leave you with memories that will...
Read moreI booked a private flight for 4 (excl. pilot) several months in advance to surprise and propose to my long time girlfriend. They were wonderful to work with and answered all my questions.
They offer free shuttle service to the winery that you will meet at if you stay in Napa. If not, it's a short 10-15 minute drive north and they have plenty of signs pointing you in the right direction.
They offer pastries and coffee prior to the fight, then after the wavers are signed you get put into vans (1 van per balloon) and then it's a short 3 minute ride to the launch site. We launched with about 5 balloons (we were the only private flight), but the team inflates the balloons very quickly.
The actual flight was incredibly smooth and quiet. Very easy to carry on a conversion. Chris moved the balloon up and down towards the beginning to give us a nice view of the vineyards before going to a pretty high altitude. We took several pictures with a go pro that was outside the basket. Tell your pilot if you plan on proposing, so they can capture it!
Once you set down they quickly take you back to the winery for breakfast and mimosas which was pretty nice! You get an emailed link to the pictures if you want them, and the opportunity to buy other memorables.
I really want to stress how awesome the entire staff was. They were all so fun, happy, and accommodating. Our pilot, Chris, was super awesome and pointed out a lot of scenic information as well as history. I would highly recommend this company. If ever in the area I would absolutely jump at the chance to do it again.
Pro-tips: Read the whole website, it has tons of awesome information. They don't allow ANY bags (including purses or camera bags) on the fight so think ahead. They do allow cameras, just not bags. Under the burner gets HOT, there is a heat shield but if you have short/no hair, it might not be enough. Consider a cap/hat. Wear layers! It gets pretty hot the higher you go and when the sun comes out,...
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