Hot Air Ballooning – See the World As Never Before

Perhaps the only adventure sport in the world that is perfect for both thrill seekers and the more faint-hearted alike, hot air ballooning is gaining increasing popularity among all sectors of society. Appealing to both young sportspeople looking for the next competitive adventure and at the same time attracting more placid personalities on account of the pure tranquility and relaxation it offers, ballooning is something that everyone really should try at some stage in their lives. The thrill of launching is quite unlike anything else and even seasoned air travellers will find that the experience of leaving solid ground from an open basket with a 360 degree view of your surroundings is simply incomparable to the abrupt, mechanical take-offs associated with airplanes.

A Lot of Hot Air

To really get the most out of your hot air ballooning adventure, it is well worth spending some time before launch chatting to the crew and developing a basic understanding of how the device actually works. This will not only enhance your appreciation of the flight experience itself but will also quickly settle any worries among nervous flyers when you realise how controlled and safe the journey will be. Moreover, it may be helpful to note that even those that usually feel a little wary of heights tend to report that the serenity of balloon flight is so calming that they actually never felt anxious in the least.

Before the journey begins, you can meet the pilot and even assist the crew in preparing and inflating your balloon ready for departure. The science behind hot air balloon travel is based on an extremely simple and ancient principle: hot air rises faster than cold air. When the air inside the balloon becomes warm, as the propane burners underneath take care of, it becomes lighter than the air outside allowing the balloon to rise through the denser cool air and lift its cargo along with it. Of course each cubic foot of heated air can only lift a small weight, which explains why passenger balloons are so delightfully enormous.

Bird’s Eye Views

Rising gently into the clouds from the sturdy basket you will feel like you’re being carried by a graceful bird taking to the air; the thrill of releasing the ropes that tie you to the earth can be really quite exhilarating and contributes to the overall feeling that you are floating away from all your earthly troubles. Gazing down from your suspended lookout point as everything below gets smaller and smaller you can take in the panoramic views of the lush, green countryside below.

First time balloon passengers soon discover that a bird’s eye view gives them a whole new perspective of the world and even areas that you thought you knew well take on a whole new appearance from above. The unique vantage point you get from the combination of heights of up to 5,000 feet and the smooth, leisurely pace of the balloon, gives you a unique opportunity to slow down and really appreciate the world around you. Single streams and hilltops that you may have noticed on the ground begin to take their place among whole ranges of peaks and valleys and intricate networks of waterways as you rise further into the sky.

The Gift of Flight

Given the appeal of hot air ballooning and the peaceful exhilaration that comes with it, it is perhaps not surprising that balloon flights have become so popular as gifts. It’s becoming very popular to give experience gifts instead of material objects, perhaps partly due to the large-scale reassessment of our materialistic culture in the aftermath of the recent financial crisis. Moreover, a unique day out doing something different will last much longer in the memory than any more tangible gift ever could.

So next time you want to treat someone special to a once in a lifetime experience that will change the way they see their world, why not treat them to a hot air balloon flight from one of the many picturesque locations that the British countryside has to offer. Flights take place at dawn or dusk when the air is at its most stable, making for a smoother journey. Luckily these times also offer the most spectacular views as the low sun provides the best light to appreciate the vibrant colours of the world below.

The whole trip will last around three hours, including plenty of time to meet the crew and help with preparations for take-off. After the flight the lucky recipient will have an opportunity to toast their safe return to land with a glass of champagne in the company of his or her fellow passengers. The sight of a balloon flight is quite spectacular so even spectators are sure to have a wonderful time so go along and watch your special gift in action.

Of course hot air ballooning is very weather dependent as you might expect, but fortunately you don’t have to worry about sending someone out in stormy weather as when you purchase a balloon flight, whether it is for yourself or as a gift for someone special, you are entitled to rebook an alternative date or even location should the weather prevent your initial flight from going ahead.

So whether you’re looking for a gift to celebrate someone’s success at work and want to send the high flyer flying high, or you would like to take a special person for a romantic excursion with a difference, hot air ballooning might just be exactly what you’re looking for. Perfectly combining the thrill of flight with an opportunity for tranquil reflection, a trip in a hot air balloon really is ideal for all personalities. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that provides a whole new view of the world, making a balloon flight an ideal gift for people that seem to have everything. Giving the gift of special memories is so much more valuable than material objects and will last far longer in the recipient’s mind. So show someone just how much they mean to you and take them on a trip that is truly out of this world.

Red Letter days offer amazing deal on all hot air balloon experiences for all ages – With hot air balloon experiences based all over the UK you could be arranging a trip flying over fantastic countryside for someone special in no time at all.

Red Letter Days for a great deal on all gift experiences.