HomeJOURNALNatural Wonders from Above | Hot Air Ballooning Around the Globe
Natural Wonders from Above | Hot Air Ballooning Around the Globe
The 18th annual International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta just wrapped up in the Philippines?this year?s vibrant four-day festival was a feast for the eyes that garnered over two thousand unusual balloon entries. Featuring skydiving and assorted aerial acrobatics, this is one of the biggest festivals in Asia, attracting thousands of awe-inspired visitors. Although you?ll have to wait until next year to attend this particular f?te, there are a bevy of other locales across the globe that specialize in this breathtaking activity.
The 18th annual International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta just wrapped up in the Philippines?this year?s vibrant four-day festival was a feast for the eyes that garnered over two thousand unusual balloon entries. Featuring skydiving and assorted aerial acrobatics, this is one of the biggest festivals in Asia, attracting thousands of awe-inspired visitors. Although you?ll have to wait until next year to attend this particular f?te, there are a bevy of other locales across the globe that specialize in this breathtaking activity.
Sailing above the clouds is a truly remarkable experience?everyone should drift effortlessly above the earth sipping champagne at least once in their lives. This inspirational experience is even grander when you are floating above the breathtaking natural landscape of Cappadocia or indulging in an aerial tour of the temples of Bagan. Read on for L-atitude?s list of top hot air ballooning destinations; these should be definite entries for everyone?s bucket list.
The ancient temples and pagodas of Burma have captivated visitors for centuries with their ornate construction and mysterious presence. Now, you can have the unparalleled experience of a lifetime by floating above these ancient masterpieces in your very own hot air balloon. The private 2.5 hour tour?put on by the Myanmar-based company Balloons over Bagan?gives you a magnificent bird?s-eye view of the city. Prices begin at $320 for a single ticket, which buys you a 45-minute tour of Burma and a light breakfast of champagne and pastries.
Cappadocia?s spectacular landscape?with vineyards, unique rock formations, caves and valleys?is the dramatic scenery one could only dream of seeing while gliding across the sky. Best of all, the gentle weather here creates excellent flying conditions all year around. Offered by Cappadocia Balloon Tours, these adventures can last from a half hour to two hours depending on your preferences and the price tag. A one-hour ride costs just $198 USD (150,00?) and includes a generous host of amenities: coffee and cake before the flight, transportation to and from your hotel, full passenger insurance, and a flight certificate.
Riding in a hot air balloon above the Serengeti plains in Tanzania is the epitome of adventure. Serengeti Balloon Safaris plans its famed balloon tours around the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest, so remember to schedule your ride months in advance. For $500 per ticket, you coast above the safari?s wildlife-filled plain?the route varies from day to day, as the pilot guides the balloon based on the speed and direction of the wind. After your one-hour journey, you and your fellow guests can enjoy a traditionally-prepared African breakfast under the comfort of a shady acacia tree.
The gorgeously constructed chateaus and medieval villages of France?s Loire Valley have enchanted visitors for centuries?drifting above them in a hot air balloon would undeniably be an out-of-body experience. Organized by France Montgolfi?res Sarl, the one-hour flight attains heights of over 1000 meters as you float above the chateaus and plush landscape of the Loire Valley. A single adult ticket starts at $273 USD (209,00?), children can ride for the discounted price of$195 (149,00?). Afterwards, do as the French do and toast your journey with a glass of local champagne!
Live like an A-lister in Napa Valley by partaking in a private, two-person VIP balloon tour of the region. The perfect excursion for marriage proposals, birthdays or anniversaries, the one-hour tour begins with a delicious pre-flight snack of coffee, tea, and pastries just before takeoff. Hosted by Napa Valley Balloons, Inc.,the company?s balloons are all rigged with cameras to capture every memory of your flight. Once you touch down, your voyage concludes at Domaine Chandon Winery?s Etoile Restaurant with a delicious breakfast and flute of sparkling wine to celebrate your trip. The tour is priced at $1200 for two people?a bit pricey, but well worth the memories.
Of course, all these luxe adventures demand an ensemble that effortlessly delivers style and function. Here are some L-atitude tips for weightless travel. Don?t forget to take along a scarf for the sudden drop in temperatures, so be sure to pack Janavi?s bold Ivory Tribal Geometric Cashmere Scarf. For your camera and daily essentials, Mischa?s Black & White Jet Set Tote is the perfect lightweight bag. 1701?s handbeaded Jaipur Express Explorer Camera Case, will chicly protect your camera from any bumpy air. Most importantly, make sure to snag the LUXE World Grand Tour Box before your travels begin?containing 12 detailed guides to the most coveted locales around the globe, this will ensure you experience the best of the world?s culture, food, and nightlife.
