FACILITIES

KNOW
VOL DE COLOMS

The company was born from an idea that arose from the four Colom brothers in 1991. At that time the region was not yet so well-known for tourism. Nevertheless, they believed that the volcanic area and all its charms should be made known. To be able to observe the landscape there were many options, but they decided on a different and unusual one: with a hot air balloon. Determined with this idea, they went looking for a company that could manufacture the aircraft and allow them to start their business. They went to the only company in Catalonia that manufactured hot air balloons, specifically the company Ultramagic, located in Igualada. The first part which was how to get the aircraft was already in the works, but it was missing someone to fly it. One of the brothers, Toni Colom, manager of the company from the beginning to the present day, was the one who was the pilot of the company. The idea was very clear: teach the region. They decided to take off from the egg yolk, from the heart of the Garrotxa volcanic area. Specifically, it left from a field in the Can Xel area. The hot air balloon flight took place and then passengers, pilots and ground crew went to breakfast, all together, at the Fageda campsite. An activity that at the time was worth 15,000 pesetas.

Car park

When you arrive at the facilities you will see us waiting for you at the entrance, we want to give you a warm welcome and put ourselves at your service. You are our customers, our intention is to make you feel very special, like an honored guest in our house. We guide you to park in the parking spaces, reserved only for our customers. We care about every detail, trying to make you feel like one more of our family. For this reason, we inform you from the beginning which hot air balloon you will fly in, so that you can know the team with whom you will live the experience, pilots and members of the rescue team, and that at all times you can have control at what point preparation for takeoff is found. Our goal is for you to have a unique and unforgettable experience, which is why we try to convey all the passion we feel for our work, all the friendliness and hospitality, from the first moment.

Bar

Arrival at our facilities is scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. (depending on the season). So we’re going to get you up a little early, but it’s for a good reason: take off at the perfect time to watch the sunrise as the hot air balloon climbs. Before flying, it’s important to gather strength and finish waking up, which is why we offer a small breakfast in our cafeteria, with pastries accompanied by a good coffee, tea or infusion, which you can enjoy at the same time as you observe through the windows how prepare the balloons. In the colder months you can warm up by the fireplace. The cafeteria is the perfect place for those people who don’t fly to be able to wait for the return of their relatives or friends, and then enjoy together the breakfast we prepare after the flight.

Take-off area

To get the five Vol de Coloms hot air balloons afloat, a large take-off area is needed, such as our large meadow within the facility. The first step is to stretch the sails along the field so that the baskets can be attached to the steel cables that join the two parts of the hot air balloon. Once everything is attached, two powerful fans are turned on that introduce the air that will inflate the sail. With the sail almost full, the burners begin to work which will make everything take off. With the burners connected to a group of propane gas cylinders, the navigation is controlled: the fire they generate heats the air inside, making it less dense than the air outside, in this way, take off – us up to the sky You will be able to experience every moment of this process firsthand with our expert pilots and the rescue team, we will all be delighted to answer all your questions.

Dining room

La Fageda, a different company, with the aim of providing employment to people with fewer opportunities in the world of work, people with mental or physical problems, who, together with professionals, provide us with yogurts, custards, Catalan cream, flan… Some products made with raw materials that they themselves produce with their cows and fruit trees. We round off the breakfast with coffees and another typical product, ratafia, a liqueur made with more than forty new herbs and anise, letting it macerate for forty days. Don’t worry if you have an intolerance or a special diet, we adapt the menu to any necessary particularity, replacing products that cannot be eaten with others of equal quality from the area. We close this moment as a family by giving the flight diplomas that certify your passage through this great experience.

Shop

Time to say goodbye, after living with us a unique experience in the morning, watching the preparation while you have breakfast, floating in the magic of La Garrotxa, tasting the food of our land, laughing, talking and learning about balloons with us. It’s time to take some souvenirs of this great experience with you. In our store we have typical gastronomic products of the area, promoting the small producers of the region. Also, for those who want a memory forever, we have caps, wallets, magnets, t-shirts… A small souvenir to give the final touch to a unique and special morning.

Terrace

A space to enjoy the nature that surrounds us. In front of the take-off field and next to the bar we have the terrace. An area to enjoy both before and after the hot air balloon flight experience. Early in the morning you can have your coffee, watching the preparation of the hot air balloons in front of you or, after breakfast, relax sunbathing in this exclusive space in the middle of the Jordà beech natural park.

Office

Place not frequented by customers but very important to us. We want to give the best service at all times, from the first moment when you ask us for information to the farewell after the hot air balloon flight experience. For this reason it is very important to have a comfortable work space that helps us achieve this goal. We are lucky to be in the middle of nature and our office allows us to enjoy it at all times. The large windows make us feel as if we are outside. They allow the entry of natural light that, despite having two spaces divided by winding sheets that separate the office into two areas, the one for meetings and the individual, illuminates all the corners. A large space in direct contact with colleagues that encourages teamwork and helping each other.