Tavarnelle Val di Pesa is situated 12 miles south of Florence on the hills along the Pesa valley. It is located at the ancient crossroads of two Roman roads -- the "Via Cassia" leading from Florence to Siena and on to Rome, and the Via del Chianti towards San Donato and Castellina in Chianti. The launch site is situated along this road close to the geographic center of the Chianti region. It is also the seat of the Associazione Aerostatica Toscana.

From here, you will fly over the legendary Chianti landscape with its hilltop towns, castles, valleys, famous vineyards, and mixed woodlands. A powerful landscape, one of the most civilised rural scenes on earth, cultivated tranquility of olives, vines, and corn. The olives' silver and the many variegated shades of green appear as a veil over elemental majesty and silence. On clear days in the distance you can see Florence to the North and the Apennine mountain range in the background; to the West you can see the Elsa valley, San Gimignano, Certaldo, and Volterra and the sea in the far distance; to the South, Poggibonsi, Colle Val d'Elsa and Siena and Monte Amiata in the distance; to the East the higher Monti del Chianti and mixed oak woodlands.

We fly in the early morning just after dawn. The inflation takes about 30 minutes, and the flight approximately 1 hour depending on wind and weather conditions. After landing, we load the balloon back onto the retrieving vehicle trailer that follows the balloon throughout the flight. Once the balloon is packed away, we move on to enjoy a marvelous champagne breakfast with local produce. After breakfast, we drive back to the launch field. The whole adventure takes about three and a half hours.

Although we fly all year round, the "ballooning season" is approximately late spring to early autumn with annual variations. Weather in Chianti can be tricky and unpredictable, especially in early spring; but the months of the summer are regularly good for ballooning. Winter flights can be absolutely breathtaking, with sharp clear views and incredible palette of colors of the land; looking directly into the almost leafless forests covered with a veil of white frost. The silver olives and the barren vines look just stunning. In winter, takeoff is a little later in the morning, as the weaker sunshine is not as hot as in spring. As all flights are subject to wind and weather, obviously these winter flights are not as regular as during the ballooning season.

The launch site is located along the Via del Chianti, 1 km from the village Tavarnelle, next to the ancient Chiostrini spring.

Flights are subject to weather conditions, and for safety, we fly only in the calmest of conditions.

Do not hesitate to contact us for any further information: Tel: +39-055-8077940 Email:

Tavarnelle   |   Mensanello   |   Siena   |   Montisi