Algarve Balloons, Lagos

We just returned from 10 days in Portugal where we went on a bunch of tours. Our balloon ride with Helena was one of the most special experiences we had. Helena is super knowledgable and made us feel safe and secure. She’s also very sweet and pleasant to spend time with! Helena and her team treated us like friends and the experience had a lot of care put in it. I’ll always remember the lovely morning we had and whenever I get the chance to return to the Algarve I’ll definitely be going on another balloon ride with Helena. I would give 10 stars if I could!

This was one of the most incredible experiences we had and will stay unforgettable. The organization starts at 07:00 pm the day before the scheduled flight. We called Helena to confirm if the flight can take place the next morning. As balloon pilot she has to check the weather condition and wind direction to plan departure and landing zones. In our case we had to re-schedule the flight two days later due to the forecasted wind. So be prepared to be a bit flexible and do not schedule it at the end of your holiday. The alarm clock rang early in the morning so that we could make it on time. We met Helena and her team at 06:40h am at the coordinates she sent us via WhattsApp. They built a small picknick table with coffee and cookies. As interesting as the flight itself, is setting up the balloon and tearing it down afterwards. The more hands the better, so feel free to help :). Bring some long trousers and a light jacket, as it may be chilling cold in the morning. It will become quite warm soon after sunrise. As the balloon flows with the wind, you will hardly feel any wind „on board“. After landing and packing the balloon we were brought back to the starting point. We were allowed to drive in the balloon basket on the trailer. That is as fun as the flight itself. Helena was so gentle and full of passion. She was a wonderful host from the beginning until the end, always caring about their guests. Indeed this trip raised our desire for more ballooning.