It has always been an amazing experience to take a balloon ride. But thinking about flying on a hot air balloon with a beautiful view from the sky, you would have a life-time moment that worth the traveling effort.
No matter where you stay, this article will list down the top 10 hot air balloon destinations from the 5 continents that you can plan your visit: Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Is Cappadocia the first name popping up in your head too? That’s not surprising. Cappadocia is the most famous place on earth to enjoy a balloon ride and soar above the landscape. History of hot air ballooning in Cappadocia goes back to 1980s. Since then, the place has become more and more popular with more than 25,000 balloon flights of an average year and approximately 500,000 passengers.
(Image source: Daily Shaba)
The reason makes a balloon ride in Cappadocia be a lifetime experience is because balloons here are allowed to descend so low to the ground during flight. This means you can float above the rock cones, wavy valley ridges, and thin rock pillars.
Visiting Cappadocia during a balloon festival is also a good idea. This year, The third hot air balloon festival in Cappadocia 2022 (BalonFest 2022) will happen this July from 21st to 24th. Over 100 hot air balloons and 20 special shapes will make it on of the biggest air show in Europe. Various activities like balloon watching, night time balloon glow, musical entertainment, food, and more for the whole family, couples, friends and individuals who want to experience the unique moments in magic Cappadocia. Find more information about BalonFest 2022 via the link here: http://www.balonfest.com/.
2. Spain
Barcelona
Flying at Barcelona area, you will have the chance to enjoy a very different landscapes from high mountain to sea side flights.
Having a glimpse of the Barcelona scenery with amazing Catalonian landscapes should be on my bucket list. From the air you will see the Mediterranean coast, the Montseny Natural Park, Montserrat mountain and even Barcelona. Enjoy a champagne glass and fun with friends and family as you land.
(Image source:instagram.com/jordidc/)
Especially at this area, you can fly with me. Besides a balloon flight, I could become your free guide to introduce about the place and culture here while we chat about ballooning. Let’s get connected and fly together!
b. Segovia
Take a balloon ride in Segovia, fly over the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Segovia. Segovia is a historic city northwest of Madrid, in central Spain's Castile and León region. Its centuries of settlement have resulted in a rich architectural legacy, including medieval walls, Romanesque churches, a former royal palace and a Gothic cathedral.
From bird’s-eye view, balloon passengers could enjoy Segovia’s ancient aqueduct.
c. Rioja
La Rioja is located in northern Spain, and is one of the country’s best wine regions. Experience Spain’s Rioja Wine region from above on this hot air balloon adventure. You will be lifted off and marvel at vineyards, mountains, and the Ebro River. After balloon flight don’t forget to book wine taste at any of most famous “bodegas”.
d. Adalucia
The city of Alhambra is considered one of the jewels of Andalucia and a balloon ride will show you a completely different perspective, as impressive as usual.
(Image source: Blog Fuerte Hoteles)
Do not hesitate and fly the sky of Granada that inspired the international poet Federico García Lorca. Enjoy the Arab architecture of the narrow streets and the palatial city of Alhambra. Its fantastic gardens, architecture and everything that surrounds this monument World Heritage Site.
America
3. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque - New Mexico is the home of the International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque is known as the Ballooning Capital of the World, so naturally is a fabulous place to take a ride in a hot-air balloon.
(Image source: National Geographic)
Stable wind patterns and temperatures are key to a successful hot air balloon flight, and Albuquerque has the perfect combination of these elements. A balloon ride will offer you scenic views of the rugged high desert landscape of New Mexico. Wildlife is often in abundance, and if you’re lucky, you can even see jackrabbits, hawks, the occasional coyote, roadrunner and more!
4. Teotihuacan, Mexico
Fly a balloon over Teotihuacan Area, one of the most important archeological sites in the world and discover the amazing landscapes. Enjoy the great opportunity to contemplate the impressive archaeological zone of Teotihuacán from the sky. You may see the monumental pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, the temple of Quetzalpapalotl and the Calzada de los Muertos.
Asia
5. Saga, Japan
Saga is the hot air balloon town in Japan. The annual Saga International Balloon Fiesta is the largest sky-sporting event in Asia. Over a five-day period in early November, it combines three "tournaments" with a grand finale of fireworks and a light show put on by a cluster of about 50 hot-air balloons.
(Image source: Japan Travel)
6. Hue, Vietnam
Vietnam, the S-shaped country in Asia is another ideal destination for balloon adventure. Organized by the company Balloons over Hue, daily flights are available for a new way to discover the antique city with peaceful landscape and long-last cultures.
(Image Source: Balloon Over Hue)
Surely you will be impressed and stunned at the panoramic view of Hue with the service of flying freely to see this city right above the clouds.
Board a hot air balloon and get nice sky-high views of Perfume River, Imperial Citadel and much landscape of Hue at the height from 200 – 500 m and move with the wind in a radius from 3 – 5 km.
Africa
7. The Masai Mara, Kenya
Flying over the sky of Masai Mara with the landscape below of a never-ending exciting mixture of riverine forests, sprawling savannahs, towering escarpments and rugged rivers. Hot-air balloon flights in the Masai Mara give you a unique vantage point of the abundant wildlife living below. There’s really nothing quite like it, the view is unparalleled and the experience is unforgettable.
8. Luxor, Egypt
Fly hot air balloon over Luxor, fly over the valley of the kings in Egypt. It is an amazing way to see world’s largest open air museum. It will be an unforgettable experience to see the sun rise over some of Egypt's most famous ancient monuments. Imagine you look down on the land of the ancient Pharaohs from the heavens, or as close as we can get to that in a hot air balloon.
(Image source: Sada el balad)
Australia
9. Alice Spring
Alice Spring is a remote town in Australia’s Northern Territory. It’s a popular gateway for exploring the Red Centre, the country's interior desert region.
Float silently alongside the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges as the sun rises and experience one of the most popular Australian outback adventures. Wake up before dawn and rise quietly into the fresh morning air in a hot air balloon, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the majestic landscapes and wildlife. Drift over the desert and keep an eye out for native wildlife, including wallabies and mighty red kangaroos.
10. Melbourne
If you want to enjoy a city view from a hot air balloon, Melbourne will be a perfect choice. It’s also amazingly rare that there are very few cities in the world that allow hot air balloons flying over them. A hot air balloon flight over Melbourne city is a sensational and luxurious way to see the iconic views of our city.
(Image source: Picturethisballoon.com)
Let me know which one is your dream destination for the next hot air balloon ride! Do you have a your favourite balloon place? It cannot be denied a hot air balloon ride is a wonderful way to discover plenty of attraction around the world that we - pilots keep enjoying the adventure.
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