Heißluftballonflug über Toledo oder Segovia, Transport optional ab Madrid

After many e-mail exchanges the supplier (aerotours) seemed unwilling to pick me up from Madrid. Finally they tried to persuade me to go to Segovia instead. Because I insisted to fly over Toledo they claimed weather conditions and denied the August 3d flight and proposed a flight on August 6th when I will be out of Madrid, in Santiago de Compostela or Gijon). I asked for a full refund but they never answered. It is the worst experience I ever had with a Viator booking, which I use almost exclusively the past years on my summer vacations throughout the world.

Initially we had booked the flight over Toledo but weather conditions (or booking numbers) meant that we were offered Segovia instead. It also meant an even earlier start - collected from our apartment at 5.30am - so I arrived, with my three daughters, tired and grumpy. The journey to Segovia took around 1 hour. However, the early start meant that we had a wonderful early morning skyline to enjoy whilst the team prepared the balloon. This also allowed us time to meet our fellow travellers - a friendly group. The initial attempt to inflate the balloon was unsuccessful so there was a delay of around 20 minutes then it was time to enter the basket. There are four compartments, each capable of holding four people. Passengers need to be distributed equally to allow for balance so there is a small chance that you may not be in the same compartment. I was initially nervous as the balloon ascended but within minutes I felt safe and relaxed helped by confident commentary from the pilot, The experience is wonderful. Segovia is beautiful. The balloon floats peacefully and elegantly across the town. All passengers were stunned in to silence by the majesty of the experience. The landing was bumpy and controlled, with lots of laughter. Afterwards the team made a fun experience of repacking the balloon, paying particular attention to a young girl and getting her involved. She really enjoyed herself. Some sausage, cheese and cava then certificates were awarded. An hour's journey back to Madrid. That evening we were emailed photos and a lovely 2.5 minute video This was a fantastic experience, the pilot and crew were excellent, the photos and video brilliant mementos. 100% recommended.

As an enthusiastic traveler, I take misadventures and hitches in stride, finding the silver lining even in minor setbacks. Regrettably, the hot air balloon ride over Segovia left me with nothing but dissatisfaction and frustration, compelling me to give it a one-star rating. The journey to the actual tour was marred by blatant miscommunication. The tour's departure time was stated as 8:00 AM on the website. However, a distressing phone call at 7:15 AM informing me that we were late and would be left behind was deeply alarming. The operator claimed to have sent an email detailing an earlier departure time, which I had not received. The anxiety this caused while I was already en route from Madrid to Segovia was unnecessary and exasperating. Although they finally agreed to wait for us, we were put through needless distress and confusion. Despite reaching the meeting point at 7:50 AM, the balloon did not take off until 8:10 AM, indicating a stark lack of organization. However, what truly tarnished this experience was the unimaginable separation from my 11-year-old daughter, insisting we occupy different cabins. This made little sense, considering she was the only child among adult passengers. Despite my pleas, they insisted on seating us in different cabins. The very notion of separating a child from her parent during such activity was deeply unsettling and distressing. We had traveled all the way from Saudi Arabia to Spain to enjoy a memorable vacation together, and this separation put a damper on our entire experience. The final blow was the surprisingly brief duration of the flight. The website listed a duration of 3 to 6 hours, but we were in the air for a meager 25 minutes. When I questioned this, I was told summer flights are shorter, a crucial detail that was nowhere to be found on their website. This felt misleading and was a significant letdown. In conclusion, this hot air balloon ride was filled with poor communication, shocking service decisions, and glaring discrepancies between promises and actual delivery. I share my experience here to help future travelers make a more informed choice. Sadly, this tour did not offer the value for money, nor the memorable experience it promised.