The first thing I think of when you say “hot air balloon” is the end of The Wizard of Oz movie when the Wizard is whisked away from the Emerald City in a hot air balloon that reads “State Fair”. Aside from being romantic and whimsical, the hot air balloon, according to Wikipedia, is “the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology.” Balloon adventures have withstood the test of time because it’s an easy, safe, and convenient way to literally get a different perspective on a beautiful new place.
And there are many beautiful places that still offer hot air balloon rides as an add-on to your experience while traveling. We’ve found the Top Five Balloon Adventures for you to consider for your next trip:
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is one of the best places in the world “to experience a hot air balloon due to the composition of the terrain and the dramatic rock formations in the many valleys.” An ancient city comprised of pillars of volcanic rock, the villagers who built the city back in 1200 A.D. carved out houses, churches and monasteries from the soft rocks of volcanic deposits.
Blue Parallel offers a spectacular 11 day Turkish adventure tour, where you can arrange to have a private hot air balloon ride over the magnificent landscape of Cappadocia.
Napa Valley, California
Watching the sunrise over the vineyards in Napa is a once in a lifetime experience. Considered to be one of the best wine regions in the world, Napa has more to offer than just wine tours. From the heights of a hot air balloon, the panoramic views of Napa include beautiful mountain ranges and even views of San Francisco on a clear morning.
Kensington Tours now offers a hot air balloon ride as a part of their 6 Day Napa, Sonoma & San Francisco Hot Air Balloon & World Class Wine Journey.
South Africa
African Safaris have become a popular choice for adventurous travelers. What you may not realize, however, is that in addition to seeing elephants and lions in their natural habitats, you also have the opportunity to soar over Maasai Mara, Kenya, in a hot air balloon.
According to the description of the sunrise tour provided by Micato Safaris, “It is an effortless feeling usually reserved for dreams… natural, feather-light, exhilarating. There, looking out over a stunning landscape, from your peerless perch, in the calming silence of the African dawn… it’s hard to imagine it getting any better.”
Lake Tahoe, California
Located near the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is one of the largest and most scenic lakes in America.
Lake Tahoe Balloons provides early morning hot air balloon rides over the lake. Their tour promises that you can “enjoy views of Emerald Bay, the second most photographed spot in the U.S., Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Lake and the Desolation Wilderness. On many days, visibility even allow for views of peaks in Yosemite and the coastal foothills over 150 miles away!”
Tuscany, Italy
When you think of Tuscany, the first things that may come to mind are food, wine and culture but the region is also known for its beautiful rolling hills and medieval villages. Hills make up two-thirds of the countryside and mountains make up another quarter of this Italian region. Riding over Tuscany in a hot air balloon is a truly spectacular way to experience Italy.
Hot air balloon tours can be arranged by Abercrombie and Kent in the wine region of Chianti. Floating above the vineyards, you’ll also be able to see ancient castles, olive groves and woodlands–and if it’s a very clear day, you might even be able to see all the way to the city of Florence!
Hot air ballooning is a wonderful way to make a special travel experience that much more memorable. If you’d like to learn more about booking a hot air balloon adventure, contact Simply Juicy today!
That is awesome that riding in a hot air balloon has become a large tourist attraction. I really like that from a hot air balloon you can get a large view to the entire city! That is awesome that air balloons are fun not only for those that ride in them, but they are a colorful scene for viewers below to see as well. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Annie! So glad you found this article on hot air ballooning both helpful and informational. We hope you’ll keep reading!