Rise Above It All
Hot Air Balloon Adventures Are Unique Way To “Flight-See”
The Signal - Business Section, May, 2005
They may be full of a lot of hot air, but interest in balloon adventures is rising up, up and away. Whether as a spectator or participant, done here at home in the Southern California desert or over farmland in Turkey, ballooning is a remarkable experience that most anyone would enjoy.
The overall beauty of hot air balloons is a spectacular sight to behold. And the thrill of flying in the basket of one of these giant inflatable balloons is unforgettable. If you’re looking for a new adventure to add to your travel itinerary, consider hot air ballooning. Clearly, ballooning is great to watch overhead, and even more fun to participate in.
Keep in mind that inside the balloon basket is standing room only for the entire trip, so many hot air balloon enthusiasts prefer to observe from the ground. To watch a balloon event take flight, there is no better place in the world than the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico. Geared toward the viewer, this fall festival is among the most well-known hot air balloon events out there. The 10-day festival, which begins this year on September 30 and runs through October 9, attracts thousands of visitors. People come from all continents to see the balloons lift into the desert sky at sunrise. Everywhere you look, the horizon is spotted with hundreds of brightly-colored balloons gently floating above.
But Albuquerque is not alone, there are lots of hot air balloon festivals held throughout the year from Houston, Texas, to Boise, Idaho, and Poughkeepsie, New York. Here at home, many desert locations east of the valley also offer balloon adventures. Balloons usually lift-off early in the morning when the wind is calm and safe for traveling. The basket capacity for these balloons ranges in size from four to 12 people, so is ideal for special events and groups.
Another way to go hot air ballooning is to add it to your travel plan. Just about anywhere you may be headed, there’s probably an opportunity for a balloon adventure. Many international destinations offer picturesque hot air balloon excursions as a mile-high way to get a bird’s eye view of their unique landscape. One such company is Buddy Bumbard’s balloon adventures, offering excursions in Austria, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Switzerland and Turkey.
Billed as “flight-seeing,” Bumbard’s five to 11 day balloon tours are based at first class hotels where participants visit the countries by air. The hot air balloon flies at low enough altitudes to converse with people on the ground, and touches down along the way to explore. The tour includes stops at villages and castles, historic and cultural sites, and to enjoy a bit of wine tasting. Depending where you are, the highlight visit may vary. The focus is on architecture when in Prague and Czech Republic. The renowned vineyards are the draw in Burgundy. And, the ancient Capadoccia is the attraction in Turkey.
Other hot air balloon tour groups function similar to cruise ship itineraries, featuring specialty-themed trips. These can range from cooking classes, to watercolor painting and sketching, to archeology.
All of these possibilities are worth exploring if the idea of hot air ballooning appeals to your sense of adventure. One of the most amazing travel experiences I’ve had is ballooning over the gaming reserves while on safari in Africa.
By rising above it all, you really get a chance to embrace the beauty of everything around you. Plus, there’s never any traffic when you travel by balloon.
Commentary provided by Eric Maryanov, president and founder of All-Travel.com, the Los Angeles-based travel management company with an office in Valencia. He can be reached at 661.775.7511..
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