TransportNo guide to point out sights on balloon. Missed some sights. Awful bearing in mind trip is marketed around those sights. We were not told PRIOR to booking and paying that there would not be a guide on the balloon. We only realised the guide who came on the balloon btw did NO guiding AT ALL. Would not have booked if we'd known. Guide on the bus was pleasant but pointless. It was pitch black outside when we set off. We were misled and I am seeking a refund. Buyers beware!
You'll need to rise and shine early to catch this ride, but the wow-worthy views of the ancient city of Aspendos are worth the early wake-up call. As your pilot expertly coaxes the hot air balloon skywards, you'll gain a whole new perspective of this beautifully preserved site. Soar over the ruins, enjoying the fresh morning air and the silence it brings, broken only by the occasional blast of the burner and the ‘ooos' and ‘ahhhs' of your group.
The Roman theatre is the star attraction. It was built in the 2nd-century BC during the reign of Marcus Aurelius – remember the emperor in the movie Gladiator? That guy. As you gaze down, just imagine those fight scenes playing out to an audience of thousands in the tiered semi-circle. The bird's eye view helps you appreciate the Romans' feat of engineering with the ancient aqueduct snaking its way towards the mountains that once fed it.
This is definitely one to have your camera handy for. The surrounding rolling hills and fruit farms, the Mediterranean to the south and the Taurus Mountains to the North frame photos that you'll want to remember. You'll round off the experience with a celebratory glass of fizz and head home with a certificate – just in case you look back and wonder if it was all a dream.
