Hot air balloon in Trentino
“Want to admire the beautiful mountains from above? Discover hot air balloon flights in Trentino in the spectacular setting of Val Pusteria and the Dolomites.”
The hot air balloon is an aircraft composed of a balloon, which inflates with gas and hot air, and a wicker basket that houses the passengers. The vertical lifting of the hot air balloon occurs thanks to Archimedes’ principle according to which each body receives an upward thrust of equal intensity to the weight of its volume. Hot air, therefore, being less dense than atmospheric air, allows the hot air balloon to fly.
Hot air balloon: origins and curiosity
The origins of the hot air balloon date back to distant times, precisely around 220 A.D. when in China were used paper balloons, called Kongming Lanterns, to send military signals.
The inventors of the hot air balloon were Joseph Michel and Jacques Étienne Montgolfier. In 1782 it was Joseph who had the intuition and involved his brother in his experiments. They made the first flight on June 5, 1783 in Anonnay, France with a rooster, a goose and a sheep on board. A few months later, on September 19, 1783 in Paris, given the success of the experiment, there was the first flight with people on board in the presence of Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.
The history of the term hot air balloon is very curious as only the Italian language has taken inspiration from the surname of the inventors, the Montgolfier brothers, to give it the name. In major European languages, such as English “hot air ballon” and French “ballon à air chaud“, the Italian translation corresponds, in fact, to “hot air balloon“.
How a hot air balloon flight works: take-off and landing
Hot air balloon rides are scheduled at the most suitable times of the year for weather conditions that vary depending on the area in which you are flying. Before take-off, there is a preparation phase in which the staff and the pilot inflate the balloon with hot air through the use of a fan. Passengers can witness this fascinating moment and see how the fabric balloon lying on the grass slowly inflates and rises to the ground. You are then ready for take-off and the balloon takes off within a few minutes.
It begins, then, the fascinating balloon ride that moves through the natural currents making the path even more fascinating. The entire flight phase takes place in a fluid and slow way under the guidance of the pilot who manages the winds in his favor. The winds decide the destination: the balloon, in fact, does not have a rudder and therefore it is not possible to guide it to a precise place.
The “hot air balloon” can reach a maximum altitude of 1300 feet and a speed of 22 Km/h. When the moment of landing approaches, the guide explains to the passengers how to behave: it is necessary to hold on to the safety handles and to flex the legs to soften the impact with the ground, which will in any case be delicate. Landing takes place in fields or large green spaces.
Recommended clothing for the flight in a hot air balloon
Flying in a hot air balloon is an extraordinary experience to share as a group or as a couple, combining relax with the thrill of flying over spectacular and unique landscapes.
The recommended clothing is casual / sporty to allow ease of movement. Better to wear, therefore, sneakers, hiking boots or shoes in general closed and low. In the colder seasons, it is also advisable to dress with windproof jackets and bring a small backpack for personal items.
Hot air balloon flights in Trentino
Flying in a hot air balloon in Trentino is a unique experience that combines the thrill of flight to the wonder of flying over the landscapes in the Dolomites. On board the wicker basket all passengers can admire the mountain peaks of Val Pusteria at dawn. At an average altitude of 2-300 meters, depending on the direction of the wind, you can enjoy a spectacular view over the entire valley and, upon landing, taste the typical local products and toast to the adventure with a glass of Prosecco.