What is Buddy Bombard's Europe

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 our trips.

Each year we 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 us presents many opportunities to meet and talk with friendly European locals and some of Europe’s most colorful aristocrats. On each departure, we 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. We 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. Our 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 our programs to resonate with a cultural authenticity unattainable any other way. We hope you enjoy our site, and will make plans to join us soon for an “Insider’s Europe” vacation to remember.