8 Thrilling Hot-Air Balloon Rides Around the World

Get up, up, and away in a beautiful hot-air balloon for some of the best bird's eye views in the world. Ascending silently and smoothly up into the air, you'll gaze down over a patchwork of patterns and colors across the landscape below. As you drift at leisure through the sky, the only sound will be that of the occasional bursts of flame that expand your bright, silken balloon and regulate its height. So, what could you be observing from your aerial perch? Cappadocia, in Turkey, is home to a set of stunning natural phenomena known as fairy chimneys: rocky, misshapen pillars that thrust into the sky. Float serenely over the vineyards of California's Napa Valley, goggle at the wildlife going about their business in Kenya's Maasai Mara, or marvel at the ancient temples and monuments of Luxor as you traverse the Nile. Grab your camera and step on board...

1. Marrakech, Morocco

Enjoy the stillness — and the incredible views — as you float above the bustling city of Marrakech, its everyday clamor and hubbub muted as you hover serenely over Jemaa-el Fna square, the never-sleeping souks, and the leafy Palmeraie, home to hundreds of thousands of palm trees.

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You'll see the sun rise magically against the dramatic backdrop of the Atlas Mountains and drift back down to enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast.

2. Luxor, Egypt

A hot-air balloon over Luxor will give you a perspective over the ancient monuments you could never dream of from ground level. Essentially one of the world's largest open-air museums, you'll marvel at the majestic Valley of Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and Colossi of Memnon, then cross the Nile to Karnak and Luxor Temples. This should fulfill all your Agatha Christie fantasies...

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Staring down at the glittering ribbon of the Nile as it winds through fields and towns, you can imagine what life was like here millennia ago.

3. Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is famous for hot-air balloons, and as you glide serenely above the unique rocks and valleys of Göreme, you'll soon understand why some of these incredible formations have been named "fairy chimneys". Looking like the weird and wonderful homes of an otherworldly population, there's nothing quite like the perspective you get of them from above.

Insider tip

Make time to explore this phenomenal landscape from ground level; you'll be able to enter ancient cliff dwellings and churches, all carved into rock by long-gone civilizations.

4. Napa Valley, USA

Below you unfold neat rows of vineyards, which stretch as far as the eye can see in Napa’s lush, green valley which produces some of the world's best wine. You'll also spot Mount Saint Helena in the Mayacamas Mountains, and if the weather's ultra-clear, you might even make out the skyline of San Francisco itself. This wine region is great to see from a hot-air balloon.

Insider tip

Ensure you head to some of the wineries after landing; after seeing all these vines, you'll want to try their produce. From quaint, family-run estates to grand chateaus, there are plenty of places that offer tastings, so take your pick.

 

 

 

 

5. Maasai Mara, Kenya

A hot-air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara offers an unparalleled view of the world's most spectacular wildlife reserves. The Mara is a tapestry of lush grasslands, rolling hills, and meandering rivers, where you'll feel humbled by nature as you sense the sheer expanse of the landscape.

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Spotting the animals below, blissfully unaware of your presence, is one of the best things about this experience. From lions basking sleepily in the rising sunshine to giraffes seeking breakfast from the tops of trees, cheetahs sharply surveying the savannah, or elephants lumbering to a waterhole, it's a perspective unlike any other.

 

 

 

 

6. Wanaka, New Zealand

The stark, dramatic landscapes which unfold below you on New Zealand's South Island are a mesmerizing blend of serene lakes, rugged mountains, and lush greenery. Wanaka is known for its crystal-clear lake of the same name, and you'll also catch the mirrored reflections of glassy Lake Hawea.

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You'll love floating over the Southern Alps' Mount Aspiring National Park, a wilderness of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, beech forests and alpine lakes.

 

 

 

 

7. Gold Coast, Australia

Get the best of both worlds with a flight that whisks you over Gold Coast’s dramatic coastline, golden beaches, sparkling sea, and lush hinterland in the interior. Over the city, you'll see the skyline of Surfers' Paradise and waterways of canals and rivers that meander through the region. The hinterland comprises natural parks and rainforests, a stark contrast to the ocean and a reminder of Australia's diverse landscapes.

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If you're lucky, you might spot wildlife; kangaroos are known to roam the hinterland areas, and spotting them from a balloon adds an exciting element to the ride.

8. Barcelona, Spain

Riding over Barcelona in a hot-air balloon offers a bird's eye view of the beautiful Catalonian landscape, and you'll experience the beauty of the Montseny Natural Park region from a unique vantage point. On a clear day, you'll see Montserrat — the famous multi-peaked mountain with its unique rock formations — the centre of Barcelona itself, and the Mediterranean sea.

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Celebrate your flight at the landing spot with a Cava toast and brunch.