If you want to see some of the most amazing sights that the world has to offer, you can do no better than take a hot air balloon ride. You get to travel along at a leisurely pace and view the world away from the usual crowds of tourists.

Serengeti National Park

Any trip to Africa would not be complete without a safari, and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is a great place to start. But why would you want to view the wildlife from a Jeep when you can hop on a hot air balloon for the most amazing views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site? Many of the balloon rides take place at sunrise.

Loire Valley

Much of France is picturesque, but there is very little to beat the Loire Valley. If you take a balloon ride, you can follow the river and view the most beautiful chateaux and the pretty villages that have resisted modernization. The area is easy to reach as it is just a couple of hours trip from Paris, and excursions are frequent throughout the spring and summer months. Start and end your trip with some fantastic French cuisine at one of the village cafes.

Queenstown

The dramatic scenery around the resort of Queenstown in New Zealand makes this an excellent destination for hot air balloon enthusiasts. You can enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. Many people will recognize the area as the location for ‘The Hobbit’ movie. Your trip through the valleys here will introduce you to the natural beauty of the country.

Gstaad

Head over to Switzerland and get a bird’s eye view of the playground of the rich and famous. The skiing resort of Gstaad is known for those who like to keep their feet on the ground. Still, if you take to the skies, you can enjoy amazing views of the mountains and the surrounding scenery. The good news is that you can take a balloon ride here at any time of the year, weather permitting. In January, the International Balloon Festival takes place here. You get to see the skies filled with balloons of all colors.