Private Hot Air Balloon Flight over Tuscany from Florence

What sets this flight apart from the cheaper Tuscan balloon rides is what happens on the ground either side of it. Round-trip transport between Florence and the launch field is included, so there is no rental car to organise and no field to find on your own in the countryside.

The balloon is private and carries up to five passengers plus the pilot. That cap is the other half of the price. The basket belongs to one group, so the flight runs to that group's morning rather than to a shared booking, and there is room to move around the rail without queueing for a corner of the view.

Underneath are the hills and valleys of Tuscany, vine rows combed across the slopes, and medieval castles built on the high ground. A glass of sparkling wine follows the landing. The operator recommends the flight for anniversaries and honeymoons, which follows from the private basket more than from anything added to it. Ballooning in Tuscany runs roughly from spring to autumn, and the wind decides the route on the day.