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France

Buddy Bombard's Sightseeing by Air Balloon!

Founded in 1977, Buddy Bombard’s Europe is the world’s only vacation experience of its kind, combining a highly customized luxury tour experience with spectacular, low-level sightseeing by balloon each day throughout his  trips.

Each year Buddy Bombard  operate 20 departures in 6 European countries; Italy, Austria, Turkey, Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic, with 27 possible Trip Combinations for those who wish to experience two or more consecutive itineraries. Trips range from 5 to 10 days in length, with Trip Combinations ranging from 12 to 52 days.

A trip with them presents many opportunities to meet and talk with friendly European locals and some of Europe’s most colorful aristocrats. On each departure, travelers check into one luxury hotel for the duration of the trip, exploring the region each day by private car and for about an hour and a half each day, from the gondolas of our beautiful balloons. The group frequently float low enough to speak with greatly amused people in their gardens as we drift just-above-the-rooftops of ancient cobble-stone villages, medieval castles, or through lush, alpine meadows. The generous hospitality we are able to create for our guests by ‘dropping in’ at farmhouses and in picturesque villages is legendary, which makes our spirited landing celebrations shared with the locals, whimsical and full of fun. The  days are also packed with exquisite dining, visits to the most attractive features of the area and wonderful, private invitations to the castles and estates of local nobility, vintners and friendly villagers. Each evening a festive dinner party is planned—perhaps by firelight in an 11 th century ruined fortress, at a posh French restaurant or as guests of a Contrada competing in the spectacle of Siena’s Palio.

Sound like fun? It is! Buddy Bombard and his famous balloons have opened doors throughout Europe, allowing their programs to resonate with a cultural authenticity unattainable any other way.

The Loire Valley & Its Royal Chateaux.
Five Days. Four Nights - Four late afternoon balloon flights scheduled.

Day 1 - We will meet you in Paris at 9:00 a.m. for transfer to the Loire Valley. We’ll arrive in time for an elegant lunch at the Domaine de Beauvois, a beautifully restored manor house dating from the 15th century and our home during our four night program. After settling in, we’ll depart for our late afternoon balloon adventure, drifting slowly through the very pretty countryside with its meadows, vineyards and concentration of Royal chateaux. Evening dinner party at our lovely hotel.

Day 2 - After breakfast we’ll visit one of the Loire’s most famous and loveliest chateaux, 16th century Chateau Chenonceau. This romantic architectural masterpiece with its impressive gardens spans the River Cher and is filled with period pieces and magnificent art. Elegant lunch in Amboise at 18th century Chateau Choiseul, followed by a visit to famous Clos Luce, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci. It contains furnishings of da Vinci’s time, examples of his sketches and an astonishing display, created by IBM, of models of da Vinci’s many remarkable inventions. Late afternoon balloon adventure, landing at twilight, with dinner prepared by our own chef in an 11th century fortress.

Day 3 - Morning visit to renowned Chateau Villandry, the last great Renaissance chateau built in the Loire Valley. Its magnificent 16th century gardens were restored to their original glory in the early 1900’s, and are resplendent with fountains, lawns, a reflecting pool, an extensive topiary garden with flowers, and a kitchen garden of fruit trees and herbs. The overall effect of this enormous display is stunning. Visit the wonderfully friendly goats at a cheese farm then relax for a superb lunch at Chateau D’Artigny, the elegant former home of French perfume magnate, Coty. We’ll continue to Chateau Azay le Rideau, which appears to float gracefully on the Indre River, then join our pilots for a late afternoon balloon adventure, drifting gently through the chateau country’s luxuriant landscapes. Dinner this evening in a medieval setting.

Day 4 - Morning visit to the brilliantly restored Chateau Langeais, a true Middle Ages fortress dating from 1465. An excellent example of period military architecture with richly decorated apartments, its10th century stone tower is the oldest existing “keep” in France. Lunch will be at Tours’ finest restaurant, the Michelin two-star inn of chef Jean Bardet where he and his wife, Sophie, take good care of us. After lunch enjoy Place Plumereau, Tours’ delightful medieval quarter filled with lively cafes, boutiques and galleries. Late afternoon balloon adventure, landing at twilight, followed dinner in the fireplace-warmed and candle lit chambers of the 11th century fortress, Cinq-Mars-la -Pile.

Day 5 - Morning visit to the imposing fairytale castle of d’Usse with its romantic white turrets, pointed towers and chimneys that inspired the writing of Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty. Farewell luncheon at our hotel and transfer to Paris, arriving late afternoon.

TRIP COMBINATIONS
Loire Valley & Burgundy
Loire Valley, Burgundy & Swiss Summer

Combine more for a longer adventure!

France

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