A complete, elegant and hands-on
ballooning experience!
Package details:
'I am not a
morning person, but this is worth every missed minute of sleep. It's 6a.m.,
and along with my fellow passengers, I eagerly wait to soar over Yamhill
County in a hot-air balloon.'
Because cool
winds circulating from the nearby Coastal Mountain Range
cause turbulence late in the day, sunrise balloon rides are a must in the
Yamhill County. We watch as the crew unfurls and inflates the enormous
canvas. It looks a bit like a beached whale when it's on its side', says
Roger, our pilot and co-owner of Vista Balloon Adventures.
When its time to board, Roger instructs
us on how to clamber into a basket for 10. 'There's no graceful way to
do this', he says. Once were aloft, the scenery is, at first,
residential--rows of homes with varying backyard themes pass below us, dogs
bark excitedly at the inverted teardrop. But as we drift forward and up to a
height of 1000 feet, the vista's change to open fields, hills, horse corrals
and verdant rows of grapes. Roger notes the landmarks below: George Fox
University, a Christian university founded as a school for Quakers in 1885;
and the award winning Argyle Winery, known for its Black Brut Sparkling
Wine. The flight is about one hour and there is a sparkling brunch after the
flight. -- a ballooning tradition dating back centuries and a traditional
toast in honor of your flight. Next, it's food time! After each flight
we will celebrate your adventure with a sparkling beverage hot brunch! Begin
with your choice of refreshing cold beverages -
fruit juice, Martinelli's sparkling apple cranberry juice or Argyle
sparkling wine and a traditional
toast in honor of your flight.
Next, it's food time! The
all-you-can-eat buffet menu (which changes daily) can include a
variety of cheeses, crackers, fruits, pastries, olives, mushrooms,
pate etc. Many days they have scrambled egg breakfast burritos
and sausage fresh for your enjoyment. It's delicious! Save a bit of room for
the delicious
deserts. (If you have dietary restrictions and/or questions please call the
office before your flight.) And then you are chauffeured to your 1st
winery.
Your balloon adventure would be
handled by
Vista Balloon Adventures.
Flight season is April-November except Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather permitting.
Dress casually and don't forget the camera, batteries and sunglasses.
'What should I wear and
bring for ballooning?' Even midsummer mornings can be brisk, so
dress appropriately and wear walking shoes. Don't bundle up too much though;
layers are advised. Once in the air, you'll feel no wind, and the 15 million
BTU propane burner will reflect enough heat to keep you plenty comfortable.
Wear a hat if you're tall or if your head is sensitive to heat. Be sure to
bring a camera with twice as much film as you think you could possibly use
and/or your video camera, and don't forget the spare batteries. There's
nothing like a bright blue sky and a vivid hot air balloon rising to its
full 100 foot height to transform an aspiring amateur into a professional
photographer on the spot!
'Do you have to
sign anything for the balloon ride?'
Yes, you will need to sign the Vista Balloon boarding pass/liability waiver.
Ballooning meeting time in Newberg
is 5:30 AM, so My Chauffeur will pick you up from your location with enough
time to get you there by 5:30. Your whole balloon ride adventure is complete about 8:30-9:00 AM,
including brunch and all. Between ballooning and wine
touring, we would need to fill in a little time, about an hour. So, a trip to Evergreen
Aviation Museum may be at hand or a coffee shop stop (p.s. many of the balloon
riders and staff will meet at the Coffee Cottage after the brunch). Your ballooning/wine touring day
would end about 1:30-2:00pm. Extended 5-8 hour wine tours and all-inclusive packages are also available.
Your personal concierge can customize your tour as needed.
Pricing is below for the balloon ride,
brunch and a 3-4 hour private wine tour
(usually about 3-4 winery visits). Winery tasting fees,
lunches, pickup location charges (if applicable) and Evergreen Aviation Museum
admission ($20/adult; if applicable) are at additional cost. Inquire about engagement
flights and weddings.
October Tours.
3 OPTIONS: (All cost
quotes are estimates and will need to be confirmed. Please inquire about
customizing your options.)
* $600 minimum tour cost (includes driver/guide gratuity) + $189 pp
ballooning cost ($170 pp
for groups of 4 or more) applies.
4% cash discount applies.
Other
costs/discounts/conditions may apply; see
terms.
# of Guests
TOUR COSTSEE
ABOVE
(includes driver/guide gratuity)
1
$789*
2
$489/pp*
3
$405/pp
4 - 8
$332/pp
9 - 14
$314/pp
15+
please inquire
* 1 or 2 person reduced rate
applies.
9-HOUR
ALL-INCLUSIVE* WINE TOUR & BALLOONING PACKAGE PRICING
$369
- $544 pp
* $600 minimum tour cost (includes driver/guide gratuity) + $189 pp
ballooning cost ($170 pp
for groups of 4 or more) applies.
Includes our 3-4 hour wine tour + the ALL-INCLUSIVE option which includes
the groups wine tasting fees for up to $40 pp and either the
Vintner's Lunch or the Wine Taster's Survival Box Lunch. Cost
is estimated because wine tasting fees fluctuate (with gift certificates;
this is the actual cost).
4% cash discount applies.
Other
costs/discounts/conditions may apply; see
terms.
* $600 minimum tour cost (includes driver/guide gratuity) + $189 pp
ballooning cost ($170 pp
for groups of 4 or more) applies.
Includes our 3-4 hour wine tour, our
basic lodging package and transportation
either the previous or following day.
This cost is an estimate
and will need to be confirmed once we receive your groups lodging details
and lodging availability. 4% cash discount applies.
Other
costs/discounts/conditions may apply; see
terms.
# of Guests
TOUR COSTSEE
ABOVE
(includes driver/guide gratuity)
1
$1073*
2
$631/pp*
3
$543/pp**
4
$436/pp**
5
$464/pp**
6
$442/pp**
7
$445/pp**
8
$431/pp**
9+
please inquire
* 1 or 2 person reduced rate
applies.
** includes 2
lodging rooms for up to 2 couples, 3 rooms for up to 3 couples and 4
rooms for up to 4 couples. Please inquire for pricing and details
for our premium lodging package.
It looks simple, because it is simple.
* TERMS:Includes 6%
gas surcharge/other. 3% cash discount applies. WINE TASTING FEES (approx. $10-$15 per person per winery) & LUNCH COSTS
(about $10-$15 pp for a
picnic lunch)ARE AT ADDITIONAL
COST. Includes a 3-4 hour wine tour (3-4 wineries) and a
pickup/drop-off anywhere within the Portland metro area. Senior & child discounts may apply. Cancellation fees
& other costs or discounts may apply.
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Quote
cause turbulence late in the day, sunrise balloon rides are a must in the
Yamhill County. We watch as the crew unfurls and inflates the enormous
canvas. It looks a bit like a beached whale when it's on its side', says
Roger, our pilot and co-owner of Vista Balloon Adventures.
