Balloon Flight over the Serra de Mariola from Bocairent

From the air, the Mariola makes sense all at once: mountains, valleys, villages and castles of southern Valencia and northern Alicante, as the company describes them. Totglobo, a Valencian company that has flown passengers since 1998, has its main area here, taking off from Bocairent. You fly at sunrise, and on clear days, according to the company, you can see the sea.

What the flight includes

Bocairent's tourist office lists the experience at €209 per person and details what it includes: transport during the activity, the flight over the Serra de Mariola Natural Park, a cava toast in the middle of nature on landing, a typical breakfast at a restaurant, the flight certificate and photos and video. Totglobo's website publishes neither price nor duration: confirm them when you book.

A balloon for those who cannot climb into the basket

Totglobo has an adapted balloon, with a door in the basket and a hydraulic seat adjustable in height with a safety harness, so that people with reduced mobility can fly. The company advertises its flights as suitable for all audiences; if you are going with small children, ask about the minimum age when you book.

Booking and choosing the day

You buy online at any time, on 629 611 889 or at its office in Russafa, Valencia, calling beforehand. The tickets are bearer tickets with an open date: they can be given as gifts and the recipient chooses the day. A balloon flies with the wind: ask when you book what happens if the chosen day cannot be flown. Totglobo is authorised by the State Aviation Safety Agency, which inspects it, and is on the Comunitat Valenciana's active tourism register under number TA-4-V.

To round off the day

After breakfast you still have the whole morning in Bocairent: the old town and the Covetes dels Moros, which run on the hour with a reservation. Since flights are at sunrise, the comfortable option is to sleep in the village the night before, at the Hotel L'Estació or L'Àgora.