Catalunya·Spain
Photo: Carquinyol from Badalona, Catalunya · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Garrotxa volcanic zone is one of the loveliest places in Europe to fly a balloon: a patchwork of cinder cones, lava-grown beech wood and basalt-cliff towns, seen at first light from the quiet of a balloon basket. One of Spain's original ballooning areas, flown for decades.
In season: Apr–Oct · Peak: May–Jun, Sep
A calm dawn flight of about an hour over the craters and the Fageda forest, followed by the traditional landing and cava. Flights depend entirely on the morning weather and are often rebooked.
Base in Olot or Santa Pau and book with a licensed operator. Fly at dawn when the air is stillest; dress in layers and expect an early start.
Cycling4 routesSpain
The road-cycling capital of Europe, where the pros winter and every ride climbs out of a medieval city.
Climbing3 sectorsSpain
The overhanging wall that produced La Dura Dura, one of climbing's hardest routes.
Climbing5 sectorsSpain
The cliff-top crag that shaped modern Spanish sport climbing.
BallooningUnited States
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, where hundreds of balloons rise together at dawn.
BallooningTurkey
Sunrise over the fairy chimneys — the most-flown hot-air balloon site on the planet.
BallooningPoland
Floating over the farmland of southern Wielkopolska from the capital of Polish ballooning.
A short note when a batch of places worth the trip goes up. No spam, no operators, unsubscribe anytime.