Top 8 Countries to Go to For Hot Air Ballooning

Top 8 Countries to Go to For Hot Air Ballooning

Are you looking to go hot air ballooning overseas? Read on to learn about the best countries for hot air ballooningwritten by, www.AerogelicBallooning.com

Serengeti Balloon Safaris

What do a sheep, a duck, and a rooster have in common?
Let us tell you.
These animals all took part in the very first hot air balloon flight in 1783. That’s right, on a fair-weather day in France, Pilatre De Rozier sent these animals to their fate. For a thrilling 15 entire minutes, these favored farmyard animals hung in space, suspended by nothing but a basket of hot air.
The first manned flight came soon after. And the rest is history.
Hot air balloons have come a long way since then. Humans, like Felix Baumgartner, have even taken them into space! Of course, not everyone goes to such extremes.
Nonetheless, hot air balloon rides are now common around the world. But some countries boast better rides than others! Which are the best places to go hot air ballooning?
Keep reading to find out!

 

1. France

France is the homeland of hot air ballooning.
That strong heritage means there’s an abundance of opportunity to enjoy a ride. France is a country of diversity: from the sun-soaked sands of the south to the awe-inspiring French Alps. There are incredible opportunities to see it from the air.
The Loire Valley is one particular location to enjoy from a height. Chateaus, vineyards and picturesque little villages stretch all around. You won’t know where to look first.

2. Tanzania

Fancy seeing the Serengeti National Park?
Well, there’s no better way to enjoy it than from a hot air balloon. Look out from your basket to the wildlife below. Giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, lions, and zebras all walk the plains. Spotting them from the air offers a unique perspective that you won’t forget in a hurry.
Your trip will be tailored to ensure to see the best in the park. You can guarantee an experience that will blow you away…in more ways than one!

3. Kenya

Let’s stick with Africa for a second.
Kenya offers another National Reserve that’ll blow your socks off. The Maasai Mara Reserve offers year-round wildlife to embrace from the air. Time your trip for between July and October. At this point, the enormous herds of wildebeest have crossed into the reserve over the Mara River.
You won’t forget this sight in a hurry.
It’ll be like you’re in the Lion King. Except at hundreds of feet in the air, drifting seamlessly with the sun setting in the distance over endless desert plains.

4. United States of America

Phoenix Hot Air Balloon

The USA is huge. You can go hot air ballooning all over it.
However, you should head to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for an extra special experience. It’s another match made in heaven for hot air balloon enthusiasts.
The open expanses of land, and 300 days of fair weather present the perfect opportunity for balloons to hit the sky. And that’s exactly what happens at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Every year, up to 500 balloons take off at once in ‘mass ascension events’.
Phoenix, Arizona is another mecca for hot air balloon lovers. Hot air ballon rides in Phoenix let you experience the epic beauty of the American Southwest from a bird's eye view! There is nothing quite like watching the sun rise or set over the Sonoran Desert while floating peacefully in a hot air balloon.
It’s not to be missed!

5. Turkey

The golden hues of Turkish light will enchant you from a few thousand feet.
Cappadocia is a particularly special part of the country to do it. You’ll be transported to a different world. Limestone buildings that blend into the landscape will scatter far beneath your feet.
Enjoy the history and natural beauty with a bird’s eye view. The famous spires and chimneys of the region are counterbalanced beautifully by the barren landscapes around.

6. Chile

South America has a whole host of hot air balloon opportunities.
But in the interest of time, we’ve settled on Chile to represent this incredible continent.
The Atacama Desert is a location that deserves special mention. This is the driest place in the world. Seeing the rocky, barren landscape from the air is nothing short of spectacular. Best experienced at sunrise, the dazzling colors of the land below will change before your eyes.

7. United Kingdom

You might not have expected the UK to make this list.
After all, the weather doesn’t really compare to some other countries we’ve included!
However, there are numerous well-known spots to go hot air ballooning here. Bristol, in the South-West, is one of them. You’ll often look up from the hip vibes of town to see a balloon hanging in the air above you.
Moreover, there’s an annual hot air balloon festival. It takes place in the summer. People come from around the world to enjoy the giant colorful balloons hitting the air.

8. Myanmar

Myanmar, previously known as Burma, is our final hot air balloon recommendation.
This is definitely a ‘last but not least’ situation.
You may even have seen pictures of the hot air balloons here. It’s hard to forget the sight of dozens of hot air balloons rising over the temples below.
Imagine being suspended above an ancient city, with the golden sun setting around you. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of years of history lies beneath your feet in the form of 2000 monuments and temples. That’s exactly what you get in Bagan, in the Mandalay Region.
You won’t forget a hot air balloon ride here in a hurry.

Time to Go Hot Air Ballooning!

There you have it: the top 8 countries to go hot air ballooning.
The countries we’ve discussed above represent some of the best ballooning opportunities. The festivals, landscapes, sights, wildlife, and weather all add up to unforgettable experiences.
Hopefully, we’ve whetted your appetite to try it sometime!
Did you like this piece? Be sure to check out our other travel related articles!
www.AerogelicBallooning.com,Want to go for your own amazing hot air ballooning excursion just click the link above or call 1-602-402-8041

Hot Air Ballooning Phoenix

The Insider's Guide to Hot Air Balloon Festivals

The Insider's Guide to Hot Air Balloon Festivals

www.AerogelicBallooning.com

Written by: www.AerogelicBallooning.com

Thinking of attending one of our amazing hot air balloon festivals? This guide is sharing the inside scoop. Here's what you need to know to get ready.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to fly outside of an airplane? Floating hundreds of feet in the air with the wind in your hair, and the world below you?

Well, that's all possible with hot air balloons. The floating wonders have captivated millions of people for this very reason.

If you ever have the chance to ride in a balloon, take it. In fact, if you ever have the chance to visit a hot air balloon festival, take that too.

Hot air balloon festivals bring together people who share a love for these beautiful floating orbs and bring them together in one place.

The spectacle put on by the dedicated hot air balloon community is something that no one forgets. 

You haven't truly seen the sky until you've seen it dotted with all manner of unique hot air balloons.

Where To Go

Hot air balloons are at their peak in cool, arid conditions with breezy winds. It's no surprise then, that most hot air balloon festivals take place in the West.

Those of us living out West rejoice, but East Coasters might not like this news. Don't worry, though, between Colorado, Nevada, and Texas there are enough airports to make traveling easy.

Here's a list of hot air balloon festivals worth checking out.

• The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, NM
  • This festival is the largest in the country. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a 10 day event featuring over 500 balloons. Additional attractions include Sandia Mountain National Park and the Ojo Caliente mineral hot springs.

• The Labor Day Lift Off, Colorado Springs, CO
  • The event, formerly known as the Colorado Balloon Classic, is held annually over Labor Day weekend. Get ready for tons of balloons, live entertainment, and balloon rides.

• The Great Texas Balloon Race, Longview, TX
  • This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Great Texas Balloon Race, so come prepared for an extra special year. Competitive pilots from around the world gather to race for victory.

• The Great Reno Balloon Race – Reno, NV
  • The Great Reno Balloon Race mixes family fun with friendly competition as pilots compete in a number of unique events. Make sure to take the kids on a tethered balloon ride.

Any of these events are a great introduction into the world of hot air balloon festivals. Each offers family friendly fun that you'll never forget.

What To Do At Hot Air Balloon Festivals

Now that we've established where you can find these hot air balloon festivals, we need to break down what you should actually do once you arrive.

Yes, you look at hot air balloons. We know that's the obvious answer that most of you are probably thinking.

However, there's so much more to these festivals than just watching the balloons soar.

Dawn Patrol

Most hot air balloon festivals have an event called the "Dawn Patrol." This "patrol" sets off before daybreak to measure the prevailing winds and air density.

These balloons make for an excellent spectacle if you're willing to wake up early enough to catch them in flight.

Their silhouette over the grounds while the sun rises provide the opportunity for great photographs.

Plus, getting to the festival early ensures you'll have an easier time getting finding seating for the rest of the day. That, and you can enjoy the first round of balloons without the crowds.

The Balloon Glow

If you're looking to get a close-up view of your favorite hot air balloons, you'll want to check out the Balloon Glow event. 

Held in the evening and into the night, Balloon Glow is when pilots tether their balloon very close to the ground and ignite their burners.

The result is a field full of swaying, brilliantly lit balloons of all kinds that are close enough to reach out and touch.

Balloon teams also affix baseball styled cards to their baskets, or simply hand them out, to spectators. The cards detail vital statistics like balloon age, weight, team size, and home state.

Many people walk from balloon to balloon, collecting each card and saving them as a free commemoration of the event.

Balloon Rides

Could you really hold a hot air balloon festival without offering balloon rides? Of course, not!

If you're feeling adventurous, just step right up and hop on a balloon. Most rides are tethered (unfortunately), but it's still great fun and an even better view.

Book your reservation now at: https://www.aerogelicballooning.com/reservations/

The Key Grab

If you're the competitive type then make sure to attend the key grab. 

During this event balloon team's first must judge the wind speed and direction of a pole planted at random in the festival grounds.

Atop the pole is the prize, usually a key to a car or money in an envelope, that teams collect to win the event.

Competitors then leave the event and launch their balloons from a distant location. The first team to maneuver their balloon and grab the key wins!

The Mass Ascension

Yes, this event is exactly what it sounds like. The mass ascension is when every balloon in the festival simultaneously launches into the air.

Balloons of all shapes and sizes rise up into the sky, stretching far and wide. There's nothing more spectacular than hundreds of balloons blotting out the sun.

Expect a rainbow of different colors, and balloons of all different shapes and sizes. We've seen everything from your traditional balloons to Spongebob Squarepants flying high overhead.

If we could only choose one event to visit, we'd choose the mass ascension every time.

Hopefully, this guide has piqued your interest about the world of hot air balloons. We're an interesting bunch, but always welcoming of newcomers.

Our yearly festivals are just another way for us to say hello and bring joy to someone's life.

We're looking forward to winter's end so we can get our balloons in the air again.

The next round of festivals is this summer, and we hope to see all of you there. Remember, you haven't truly seen the sky until you've seen it outlined with hot air balloons.

Since it was Frenchmen who invented the hot air balloon, it's fitting the French were first to use it in war. 

Who Invented the Hot Air Balloon?

Who Invented the Hot Air Balloon?

by: www.AerogelicBallooning.com

Who invented the hot air balloon and why? In this post, we're delving into the fascinating history behind hot air balloons. Buckle up!

Hot air balloons rides have long been a whimsical way to enjoy an afternoon.
Taking a hot air balloon ride can be exciting, fun, even romantic. But have you ever thought about where hot air balloons come from? They're so much more than just a recreational activity.
Who invented the hot air balloon, and why? In this post, we're delving into the fascinating history behind hot air balloons. Buckle up!

Who invented the hot air balloon?

The Montgolfier brothers got the idea for the hot air balloon during an evening sitting by the fireplace.
It was 1782, and Joseph Montgolfier looked into the fire. He wondered aloud to his brother, Etienne, "What force made the smoke and sparks rise?"
Joseph made a small bag out of silk. He held the open end over the fireplace, and the bag inflated and floated in the air. What they had discovered was isolated hydrogen.
Hydrogen is the lightest of all gases. It's even lighter than air. That allows it to lift certain objects off the ground, like the silk bag.
After this discovery, the brothers were inspired to use this knowledge to invent a balloon that could fly on its own.

The first launch of the hot air balloon 

The brothers designed a larger, circular version of the silk bag. They attached a big, yet light-weight basket to the bottom, creating the first version of the hot air balloon.
In 1783, they launched this balloon off the steps of Versailles for Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. A rooster, a duck, and a sheep were loaded into the basket.
The balloon floated 1,500 hundred feet in the air. After 8 minutes, a rope tied to the basket pulled the balloon and the animals safely back to Earth.
Now it was time to launch the first human into the sky!

October 1783 marked the first flight of a human

The simple answer to who invented the hot air balloon is the Montgolfier brothers. However, scientist Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier, had a big hand in helping.
De Rozier assisted in the first launch of the farm animals. He volunteered to go up himself a few months later. Tethered to a rope, De Rozier and the balloon floated in the sky for 15 minutes.
A month later, De Rozier safely flew in a hot air balloon for 20 minutes without the rope. Two years later, he was finally ready to take a more ambitious trip.
In 1785, De Rozier and a partner set out to cross the English Channel in their hot air balloon. Unfortunately, 20 minutes after takeoff, the balloon exploded. Both men were killed.
Later that year, John Jeffries and Jean-Pierre Blanchard successfully crossed the English Channel.

After these flights, technology for balloons quickly improved

Word spread around the world about the incredible hot air balloon. Scientists and engineers worked fast to improve the design.
Thanks to this hot air balloon craze, the helium filled party balloon was also invented around this time.
In 1793, the first flight of a hot air balloon in America was accomplished by Jean-Pierre Blanchard. Blanchard flew from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.
Hot air balloons had finally made it to the US. They would end up being a helpful tool for the army during several wars.

Hot air balloons had been used in war since 1794

It was 1794 during the French Revolution. A tethered hot air balloon was flown into the air. From this view, the man in the balloon could watch the Austrian troops. They used the information he gathered to fight them. The French won this battle.
This use of a hot air balloon resembles how the military today uses drones.
America didn't use hot air balloons for war purposes until The Civil War. Scientist and inventor Thaddeus Lowe convinced Abraham Lincoln to start The Balloon Corp.
Lowe was named the Chief Aeronaut of The Balloon Corp in 1861. Seven balloons were used to spy on the Confederate Army. Eventually, the Confederates tried to create their own balloons.
Hot air balloons were later used in World War I & II.
Steadily from here on, hot air balloon designs became more sophisticated.

In 1932, a balloon made it to the stratosphere

A Swiss scientist, August Piccard, designed a new balloon. Instead of riding in a basket, this balloon had a pressurized aluminum ball. Piccard, along with his friend Max Cosyns, took a ride in Piccard's invention. They flew into the stratosphere, flying over 52,000 in the air.
Piccard and Cosyns set the record for the highest balloon flight. However, other scientists quickly broke their records. New records were being set on a regular basis.
It wasn't until 1935 that someone sets an altitude record that was hard to beat.
Captain Albert Stevens and Orvil Anderson set the record. They flew their helium gas balloon, Explorer II, 13.7 miles into the sky. They held on to their record for 20 years.
This was a big milestone. Experts say this flight later paved the way for space travel.
This record was broken in 1955. However, another interesting altitude record was set in 1960.

Captain Joe Kittinger sets an altitude and parachuting record

Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger flew his hot air balloon 19.4 miles into the stratosphere. In a pressurized suit, Kittinger parachuted to Earth.
His hot air balloon record was broken a year later. However, his parachuting record still stands.
Captain Kittinger's parachute jump brought the history of ballooning full circle. In the 1790's, Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier modernized the design of the parachute.
During one of the first manned balloon rides ever, he used a silk parachute to jump from a falling balloon.
The technology of De Rozier and the Montgolfier brothers has certainly come a long way!

Did you learn anything about the history of hot air balloons?

Hot air balloons are often looked at as just a leisure activity.
But it's nice to know who invented the hot air balloon, as well as its interesting history!

Now as expert of hot air balloon rides come fly with us in Phoenix, Arizona! www.AerogelicBallooning.com or 1-866-Fly-Tday (1-866-359-8329)