E&M Travel Division of EMCO Travel, LLC.                      Since 1993                Contact us

Switzerland

Buddy Bombard's Sightseeing by Air Baloon!

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 operates 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.

Itinerary

Each year two of our “Highlights of the Alps” programs are extended to include four days of participation in the Chateau d’Oex International Balloon Festival, now in its 30th year. During our four Festival days we’ll fly with nearly 100 colorful and uniquely shaped balloons invited from all over Europe to participate in the week-long event. Drifting through the beautiful, snow-covered valleys with this enormous fleet of whimsical balloons is a lifetime experience of privilege and fun.

The remaining three days of balloon flights we will fly beyond the Chateau d’Oex valley, for flights of longer duration and skillful exploration of the magnificent winter Alps.

Day 1 – We will meet you at Hotel le Richemond in Geneva at 3:00 p.m. and drive to the lovely Alpine village of Gstaad, the gracious winter playground for Europe’s well-to-do. Known for its elegant lifestyle, the pedestrian-only promenade is lined with intimate restaurants and fashionable boutiques. The charming Hotel le Grand Chalet, perched on a hilltop overlooking the village, will be our home during our eight nights in Gstaad. Dinner this evening will be at la Bagatelle, the acclaimed gourmet restaurant located in our lovely hotel.

Days 2-4 – Each day after breakfast we will be driven to our balloon take-off site, carefully selected to make the most of that day’s wind direction. By 11:00 a.m. we will be drifting through some of the most breath-taking scenery in the world. For approximately the next three hours the magnificent wonders of the Swiss Alps will gently slip by as we enjoy lavish buffet luncheons in our balloons, prepared each day by our very own chef and complete with fine wine. Our mid afternoon landings are often greeted by excited locals who share in our champagne celebrations. If time permits we might sightsee or shop in the village, or return to the hotel for a drink by the fire or to snuggle in a mountain of down before gathering for dinner. Throughout our trip, our gracious evening parties in Gstaad’s finest restaurants are the perfect ending to each day, including le Grand Chalet’s gourmet la Bagatelle; Cafe du le Cerf serving superb raclette and cheese fondue for 400 years; The Chesery, voted Switzerland’s best restaurant; and venerable “Guido’s” at the 5 star Palace Hotel.

Days 5-9 – Balloon Festival! Each morning we will be driven to the snowy take-off field in Chateau d’Oex to watch the spectacular inflation of so many original and bright balloons. The round balloons in many colors and patterns come first, including Buddy Bombard’s flowered balloons carrying you and your fellow Buddy Bombard guests. Then the playful shapes come to life, the winged cow and giant frog, the Scotsman with his kilt, a pink pig more fun and original designs. During Festival days we’ll fly through the Chateau d’Oex Valley with this magnificent fleet of colorful balloons, while continuous entertainment is provided on the ground with professional parachute teams, hang gliders and large hot air dirigibles, all in a wonderful winter carnival atmosphere. Festival days also include fine lunches in entertaining settings hosted by Buddy Bombard, as well as our elegant dinner parties described above.

Switzerland

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