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Bonaventura Balloon Company
of Napa Valley
Reservation: 800-FLY-NAPA
We look forward to your visit!
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Bonaventura Balloon Company of Napa Valley
International Excursions
Bonaventura Balloon & Ballooning Company flies most of the year in the heart of the Napa Valley Wine Country but also leads some very interesting international hot-air ballooning adventures annually and by special arrangement.
Burgundy, France: Mid to Late May, every year
Meeting in Paris (7 to 9 days, including most everything except air: $2695/pp.)
The Burgundy region is sprinkled with 14thC stone castles and picturesque, ancient villages in a tapestry of legendary vineyards and lush rolling hills. At the heart is the ancient walled town of Beaune, whose name is synonymous with great wine, delicious food and incomparable art treasures. After a wild day in Paris, we ride the TGV bullet train across France and settle in to our ***restored 14thC mill. We balloon, explore the legendary Cote d' Or, visit castles, caves and wineries, enjoy the famous "farmer's market", and even cooking classes! (Small groups of 8-9. Call 707-944-2210)
Costa Rica Nature Excursion: December - January
Meeting in San Jose: Ecotrippin' in the ultimate natural paradise! (This is a specially designed adventure: 8 Days/7Nights, with most everything included except air. Group of 6: $2795/Group of 8: $2685/Group of 10: $2595/pp, double occupancy. Air can be arranged if desired.)
Costa Rica is nature's wonderland, and this excursion is a photographer's dream! Depending on the response for this particular trip, we may take along our professional photographer for consultation! This is a real ecotour expedition and includes incredible ballooning, rainforest, cloudforest, river, canyon exploration and more, partnered with our respected experts at Serendipity Adventures. We share the philosophy that no experience is necessary: This is designed for the curious with an open mind, who are willing to expand their limits of experience to discover what life is all about! "You are never too established, too sedentary, or too successful to be a beginner." (Reservations are open at this time. If you are self-forming a group of 6-12, let us know as soon as possible! Call 707-944-2210 or fax 707-944-2220.) Dreams can come true!
Salzburg/St. Wolfgangsee, Austria: Annual Excursion in mid-February/ Balloon Rally!
Meeting in Salzburg: 7 days/6 nights. Call for pricing.
It is difficult to put into words the incredible beauty of marshmallow-snow -covered Salzburg in the winter! The medieval, pedestrian city includes the oldest documented restaurant in Europe, visited by Charlemagne. It boasts splendors of the baroque age, memories of Imperial Austria, melodies of Mozart (whose birthplace and music we'll visit) and is an architectural gem. The 11thC fortress guarding the town is the largest completely preserved castle left in central Europe. An hour's drive north finds us in the mountains by one of Austria's most romantic lakes where we settle in to the fabulous *****Schloss Am Wolfgangsee. You are invited to be part of our extended crew at this very special, invitation-only European Balloon Rally. Weather permitting, you'll get to participate in at least one flight in the Austrian Alps. Stupendous! This excursion has some structured days, but also free time to ski, shop the local villages, explore, or party! You'll meet the folks who built the balloon that succeeded in flying around the world nonstop in March! (Call 707-944-2210)
Tuscany, Italy: Art & Archeology in mid-May. This excursion is especially for painters or student artists, beginners welcome! Meeting in Siena: 8 Days/7 Nights. Call for pricing.
Meet in Siena, preserved Gothic city of the Middle Ages, with it's twisting stone streets, palaces, churches, museums and medieval atmosphere. We'll combine some structured tours with time to sketch, photograph and explore. We'll visit amazing walled hilltowns nearby, then head to a 12th Century villa on an agricultural estate in the hills of Tuscany. It is the working field-headquarters of the Etruscan Foundation, with olive and chestnut groves, vineyards, gardens and animals, tended by the family of a Count and selected interns. Our time in this special place will include orientation to Etruscan archeology, learning about olive oil and Tuscan cooking, watercolor sessions with an expert teacher, ballooning and time to hike, paint, work in the garden or relax! This is a one-of-a-kind experience! Call 707-944-2210 or plan to come meet for an evening of Tuscan discussion and wine at Signorello Vineyards, Napa Valley, at sunset (exact date to be announced). Call for info.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: Art, History & Ballooning in March/December. (7 Days/6 Nights, designed especially for those interested in art.) Mexico's most celebrated artists' colony is a gem set in silver-ore laden mountains at 6000 ft. Founded in 1542, the whole Colonial town is a national monument! Beautiful sights of historical interest abound at every turn and it is both an artist's and photographer's dream. Our week's itinerary includes a Spanish orientation/, visits to galleries, homes, gardens, a fine horse ranch, painting/photographing sessions & opportunities, fun cooking sessions, the not-to-be-missed market of weavings, embroidery-work, silver, antiques, local cultural items, etc., a local plaza promenade, ballooning, exploring and more! Lodging and most meals included. (Exact dates and price not yet announced for next year, but get your name on the list if you are interested: 707-944-2822. Reservations will open in July with an evening merienda at Rancho Caymus, Napa Valley, and talk of San Miguel!
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