Hot Air Ballooning over Bruges city centre

We booked in March for a flight today in mid July. I called up the evening before at 10pm to share my pick up location as instructed, and to my surprise I was told that the tour was cancelled. The weather during our stay in Bruges has been fantastic, and the forecast for today was clear skies. However we were told the wind speed was too high for a safe flight. I understand that the trip cannot go ahead if it is unsafe, however my criticism is about the complete lack of communication. There is no information on the website about cancellations due to wind speed, in fact the only information I can find about weather is in the FAQs which states that the location of Bruges makes it suitable for hot air balloon flights. In addition, when I called up I was told that flights had been cancelled due to wind for a full week prior to our flight. If this is the case, then a courtesy call or an email a week before the flight is the minimum I would expect to manage the expectations of customers. There should also be information on the website about the number of flights that have been cancelled. This is the model used by other businesses, for example boat trips for whale watching, which give a daily update of the tours that have been completed and those which have been cancelled. For something that I think for many people is a once in a lifetime experience, which you have planned and looked forward to for months, a phone call the night before at 10pm without any prior communication is disgraceful.

It was surreal, really enjoyed it... it was just us (my husband and 6 year old son). My husband and son were both scared at first but in the end they both enjoyed it.

This experience was beyond amazing. First of all, the organization was excellent: communication was clear, and everything was perfectly arranged from pick-up (right on time!) to drop-off. Secondly, Captain Christophe was incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable about ballooning. It’s obvious that he has a lot of experience. I really appreciated how open he was to questions, and he also had plenty of great stories to tell! Thirdly, the view was simply breathtaking. I’m a local from Bruges, and I already love my city, but seeing it from above was truly something special. Fourthly, they really involve you in the whole experience: helping set up the balloon and, afterwards, folding it up and loading it back into the truck. Finally, it’s a wonderful way to connect with other people. The drink after the balloon ride also encourages everyone to socialize. All I can say is that it was a magical experience, and I would recommend it to anyone!

+1

A highlight of my life! This was an amazing experience I would recommend to everyone. Christophe and Martin are great. It was very hands on and interesting to learn how to balloon is assembled and disassembled. The views from the balloon were gorgeous and the ride was very peaceful. Afterward, we enjoyed a picnic in the field where we landed before getting a ride back to our hotel.

This was a fantastic experience!!! Bruges is even more beautiful from above, so you can see the structure of the narrow Bruges streets and you have the chance to discover nature beyond Bruges! Experienced, cool and friendly pilot and driver!

Christophe was an enthusiastic & experienced pilot of the balloon. Hotel pickup was great! We got a chance to watch and help prepare the balloon. Safety was paramount to Christophe as he watched the weather (we shifted from am to evening because of weather) as well as how to prepare for landing. We flew over the top of Bruges, having landmarks pointed out to us. It was peaceful and an amazing experience. We landed on the other side of Bruges, and celebrated the end if our first balloon ride. We are in our 70’s and are active walkers and exercise regularly. Climbing into the basket was somewhat challenging, but everyone was helpful, and we found the process exciting. So glad we were able to have this experience!

Christophe was an enthusiastic & experienced pilot of the balloon. Hotel pickup was great! We got a chance to watch and help prepare the balloon. Safety was paramount to Christophe as he watched the weather (we shifted from am to evening because of weather) as well as how to prepare for landing. We flew over the top of Bruges, having landmarks pointed out to us. It was peaceful and an amazing experience. We landed on the other side of Bruges, and celebrated the end if our first balloon ride. We were in our 70’s and are active walkers and exercise regularly. Climbing into the basket was somewhat challenging, but everyone was helpful, and we found the process exciting. So glad we were able to have this experience.

We embarked on a breathtaking sunset balloon flight, which offered us unparalleled views of Bruges. This adventure stood out as the highlight of our three-week journey through Holland and Belgium. The balloon company was incredibly accommodating, providing us with convenient pickup and drop-off services from our hotel.

It was fun to see and be a part of the process of inflating the balloon. The sunrise was beautiful over the city and the countryside.

What a magical experience! I went with my 6 year old son, christophe ensured we were well looked after and explained each step of the process. The flight itself was smooth with the most beautiful views of Bruge and of the Belgian countryside. I would recommend this to anyone but also for those with kids - my son has since decided he will become a hot air balloon pilot! Thank you Christophe!