Vol de Coloms

Who they are

Vol de Coloms is the balloon company of the four Colom brothers, who had the idea in 1991 and began flying in 1992. Toni Colom, one of them, has run it from the start and was its first pilot. They have been going for more than thirty years and thousands of flights, all over the Garrotxa. The company named on the website is Nit i Vol SL, which also operates as an agency: it sells getaways with accommodation, restaurants and activities in the region. The travel agency code GC-1461 appears in the footer of the website. They work in the reserve zone of the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park in collaboration with the park, hold sustainable tourism certification and are signed up to the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.

Where and when they fly

Since 2011 they have had their own facilities at the foot of the Croscat volcano, on the volcano road, in Santa Pau, with a take-off field, car park, café and restaurant. They fly all year round, on weekdays and at weekends, always first thing in the morning, when the wind is lightest and the air is cooler and more stable; at midday they do not fly because of the thermals. You meet between 6:30 and 7:30, depending on the season. The flight lasts from an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half, depending on the wind, and the direction is set by the air on the day.

Types of flight and prices

The shared flight begins with welcome coffee and pastries. During the flight there is a toast with cava and coca de llardons, and on landing, a farmhouse breakfast with local produce in their restaurant. A certificate signed by the pilot and the ground crew is handed out. It costs from €195 per person on weekdays and from €225 at weekends.

There is also a flight with children, exclusive flights for two or four people (the couples' flight on weekdays, from €980), winter offers for families and getaways, packages with other activities, tailor-made experiences and proposals for companies. They also offer an adapted flight: the baskets are wide and have a door, for older people, people with reduced mobility or wheelchair users, and the facilities are accessible.

Ages, clothing and weather

They do not recommend flying for children under 5 or for pregnant women. Normal seasonal clothing and comfortable shoes are enough, with something warm given the hour; up in the air it is the same temperature as on the ground. Companions who are not flying can join the breakfast only if there is room, for €20 for adults and €10 for children.

The weather rules. Two days beforehand they call to discuss the forecast; if rain is forecast, the flight is rescheduled. That same morning the pilot may also postpone it if the wind on the ground is stronger than 15 km/h or it is raining. According to the website, the flight is never lost: another date is always found.

Booking and languages

You book online or by phone (972 680 255) and WhatsApp (689 471 872). You can pay everything when booking, which is usual for open-date gifts, or leave a deposit and pay the rest at the facilities on the day of the flight. Gift vouchers do not expire, although after a year a price increase may apply. The website is in Catalan, Spanish, French and English; it does not say which languages the pilots speak on board.