| Who would believe that a simple wicker | | | | the memories last a lifetime... |
| basket, the whoosh of hot air burners and 200 | | | | |
| years of history could leave such a spell on | | | | Hot air ballooning has captured the |
| you? Be it floating over the city sky or the | | | | imagination of people everywhere. |
| lovely patchwork of the wine regions. These | | | | |
| majestic aircraft hark back to an unhurried | | | | Listed below are comments from some of the |
| era; yet offer the safest and most memorable | | | | passengers who have flown with us over the |
| sightseeing in today's world. | | | | years |
| | | | |
| Over the past 20 years, we have assembled a | | | | - one of the most serene, enjoyable |
| dedicated team to ensure the best ballooning | | | | activities I've ever experienced |
| tours experience available today, and have | | | | |
| carried over 60,000 passengers. | | | | - truly magical, marvelous time, brilliant, a |
| | | | truly splendid experience |
| Hot air balloons are based on the very basic | | | | |
| scientific principle that warmer air rises in | | | | - the countryside is beautiful. Being in a |
| cooler air. | | | | balloon is just awesome! |
| | | | |
| A burner fuelled by propane gas is positioned | | | | - there's something incredibly adventurous |
| under an open balloon envelope to heat the | | | | about having the course of your |
| air and make the balloon rise. When the | | | | |
| parachute valve at the top of the envelope is | | | | - travels charted by the wind as you skim |
| opened some to the hot air escapes, and the | | | | above trees and rooftops as if in a dream |
| balloon sinks. The hot air won't escape from | | | | |
| the hole at the bottom of the envelope | | | | - I thought I had entered a paradise. On a |
| because buoyancy keeps it moving up. | | | | bright clear, September morning, woods, |
| | | | farms, houses lakes and roads seemed |
| The colorful balloon envelope is usually made | | | | transformed by magic into a fairyland |
| of nylon or polyester, the same type of cloth | | | | |
| that parachutes are made of. | | | | - ballooning is Just Plain Fun |
| | | | |
| The balloon rides with the wind, and to move | | | | - floating in a hot air balloon feels as if |
| in a particular direction, the pilot ascends | | | | you're suspended in the wind. |
| and descends to find the appropriate wind | | | | |
| direction. Pilots call the weather service to | | | | - the perfect "special occasion" celebration |
| get a rough idea of which way the balloon | | | | |
| will travel, and how they should maneuver | | | | - I loved it! It's one of the best birthday |
| once they're in the air. Members of the hot | | | | presents I ever had |
| air balloon crew follow the balloon by car to | | | | |
| see where it lands to collect the passengers | | | | - the flight was even more magical than I'd |
| and equipment, usually about 15 miles from | | | | anticipated. The ride was so smooth and the |
| the launch site. | | | | view amazing |
| | | | |
| A flight in a hot air balloon is a unique | | | | - one of the most thrilling experiences of my |
| experience. Maybe you want to plan a romantic | | | | life |
| surprise, celebrate a special anniversary or | | | | |
| launch a product. Whatever the occasion, the | | | | - floating over the beautiful countryside was |
| actual flight lasts approximately an hour; | | | | so serene... |