Most of us are familiar with Hot Air Balloons from our childhood, after reading (or watching one of the many film adaptations of) Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days”. Maybe we won’t experience the same difficulties as Phileas Fogg -after all we won’t have to worry about the clock ticking- but we will definitely experience the same excitement of a Hot Air Balloon flight with the 21st century’s amenities.
Meet your traveling companions just before sunrise, get into the balloon basket and wait for your experienced F.A.A. Certified Pilot to take care of the rest. The launching varies, as it depends on the direction of the wind, but is always within a 15 mi/24 km radius of Traverse City.
The balloon flies as high as 2000-3000 ft/610-914 m or more. You will be able to see East and West Grand Traverse Bay, the Chain-o-lakes, as well as the alluring northern Michigan landscapes. A small camera or hand-held video camera may come in handy to capture the amazing scenery, while you’re in flight. Upon landing, the experience ends with the traditional Champagne Celebration.
In Cappadocia Region, in Central Anatolia, in Turkey, a small town, Göreme is famous for its incredible rock - volcanic formations and the numerous colorful air balloons crossing the sky over the city.
Located in Sawai Madhopur district in south eastern Rajasthan, also known as "the land of kings", Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most unique wildlife sanctuaries in India. Widely known as a former hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the national park is home to one of the most impressive predators in nature, the tiger and a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world.
Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa and named after the second biggest river in Africa, River Limpopo. It borders with Botswana to the West, Zimbabwe to the North and Mozambique to the East. Characterized by primeval indigenous forests, majestic mountains and unspoilt natural setting, it is an adventure seeker's haven.
Teotihuacan was a pre-Colombian Mesoamerican city, located in the valley of Mexico. It is at about 50 km/31 mi in the northeast of Mexico City. This archaeological site is situated in San Juan Teotihuacán municipality in the State of México.
Maasai Mara covers about 1500 km²/580 mi² and consists of gently rolling hills, acacia and woodland trees, watered by the Mara and Talek rivers. Landscape at the Mara is stunningly free and abundantly rich in wildlife allowing for magnificent viewing from above while cruising on the hot-air balloon.
Mammoth Lakes is located near Mammoth Mountain, in California’s eastern Sierra about 100 mi/161 km south of Nevada State Line, 9 mi/14.5 km northwest of Mount Morrison, at an elevation of 7880 ft/2402 m, Mono County, California, USA.
Chicago is the seat of Cook County, Illinois, USA. It is the third most populous city in the US and the most populous city in both the American Midwest and Illinois. Nicknamed as The Second City or Windy City, Chicago is situated on the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan, in the northeastern Illinois.
Chicago is the seat of Cook County, Illinois, USA. It is the third most populous city in the US and the most populous city in both the American Midwest and Illinois. Nicknamed as The Second City or Windy City, Chicago is situated on the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan, in the northeastern Illinois.
Grand Traverse Bay is a 32 mi/ 51km long and a 10 mi/ 16 km wide bay, divided in two parts by the old Mission Peninsula. The Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve, founded in 2005, holds the wrecks of many ships lost in the area the previous years.
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace is the connecting node between the Upper and Lower Peninsula at the northern end of the Mackinac Bridge. Saint Ignace is the second-oldest city founded by Europeans in Michigan and the third oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. It is inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans and is rich in history. With its pristine beaches, water filled activities, entertainment, history and annual events, St. Ignace is a great vacation destination for all.
Chicago is the seat of Cook County, Illinois, USA. It is the third most populous city in the US and the most populous city in both the American Midwest and Illinois. Nicknamed as The Second City or Windy City, Chicago is situated on the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan, in the northeastern Illinois.
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace is the connecting node between the Upper and Lower Peninsula at the northern end of the Mackinac Bridge. Saint Ignace is the second-oldest city founded by Europeans in Michigan and the third oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. It is inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans and is rich in history. With its pristine beaches, water filled activities, entertainment, history and annual events St. Ignace is a great vacation destination for all.
Chicago is the seat of Cook County, Illinois, USA. It is the third most populous city in the US and the most populous city in both the American Midwest and Illinois. Nicknamed as The Second City or Windy City, Chicago is situated on the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan, in the northeastern Illinois.
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes, the only one placed entirely within the United States and the second largest Great Lake by volume. It has the same surface elevation as Lake Huron, making the two technically a single lake. The Straits of Mackinac connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Over the years, many ships have sunk in the Straits. One of the shipwrecks lying in the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserves is St. Andrew.
