Globus Empordà

Who they are

Globus Empordà has been flying balloons over the Empordà for more than 25 years, according to its website, which does not give the year it started. The pilots are Joan Viñas, experienced in tourist flights, exhibitions and international expeditions, and Jaume Viñas, focused on tourist flights and safety. Luca de Toni coordinates the ground crew and the balloon recovery. They have made expeditions over the Amazon, the Sahara and the Baltic Sea, and high-mountain, desert and open-sea crossings. They define themselves by technical rigour and caution: they say they fly only when conditions are perfect. The website mentions membership of tourism bodies and certifications, but does not detail them or publish operator licences.

Where and when they fly

The take-off field and meeting point is in the Parc del Ter, in Colomers, in the Baix Empordà. From there the balloon flies over the Empordà plain and the Girona districts, with views towards the Costa Brava; the wind on the day decides the course. Take-off is at dawn, at these times for the shared flight:

• September to February: Saturdays and Sundays at 7:45.
• March and April: Saturdays and Sundays at 7:00.
• May to August: every day at 6:30.

Elsewhere the website also gives 7:00 for February, so it is worth confirming the time when booking. The flight lasts about an hour.

Options and prices

• Shared flight: you share the basket with other passengers. Adults, from age 12, €170; accompanied children aged 5 to 12, €105; in groups of four or more, from €160 per person.
• Private flight: the basket just for your group, up to 12 people, from €870.
• Family flight, shared or private, and flight for two.
• Romantic getaway: a night in the Empordà and a flight at dawn the next day.

The shared flight includes a professional pilot, cava, juices and almond cake, a photo report, a magnet with the photo, the GPS log of the route, a certificate and insurance. The website does not mention breakfast or return transport, although the ground crew collects the balloon where it lands.

Ages and requirements

The minimum age is 5 and pregnant women cannot fly. The website sets no maximum weight and gives no clothing advice. As you fly at dawn, it is worth bringing something warm and comfortable footwear for the fields.

Booking, weather and cancellation

You book online, by phone or WhatsApp (620 846 742) or by email ([email protected]). The flight is confirmed 48 hours before. If the weather does not allow flying, the date is changed at no cost. To cancel a booking with a date, the refund is partial and depends on notice: more than two weeks before they refund 50%, and in the last 72 hours there is no refund. Gift vouchers are valid for 24 months, cannot be cancelled and the recipient chooses the date. The website is in Spanish, Catalan, English, Dutch and French, and the team speaks several languages.