20 Pictures that Will Make you Want to go Hot-Air Ballooning Right Now
I had the chance to fly up to the sky and date a rainbow at the 37th Bristol International Balloon Festival, the largest of its kind in Europe. This spectacular event attracted about half a million visitors to the gorgeous grounds of Bristol’s Ashton Court. I was lucky enough to not just admire the colourful hot-air balloons taking off, but to get closer to them, get a masterclass from the famous pilots and even to ride in a balloon.
During the four sunny days, visitors could admire six ascents and more than 130 colourful balloons of different shapes and sizes, including Stuart the Minion, a pair of penguins, a pirate ship and many more. For the first time, a brand new hybrid solar-powered balloon was launched here. The 37th International Festival has been declared the most successful in its history.
Getting ready for the fiesta at the launch site.
Getting the balloons up in the air is not easy and takes the efforts of a team of five or even more people.
Our pilot, Andy Martin, from a team sponsored by the demolition company, Penny Plant, inflating the balloon.
The first modern hot-air balloon in Western Europe was created by Don Cameron and launched in 1967. Two years later, the first fiesta opened with the ascent of 27 hot-air balloons from Bristol's Ashton Court.
This basket has a very unusual boarding technique – horizontal. Not only do the shapes of the balloons vary, the gondolas can also be very different. We saw baskets for three, four and even sixteen people. The record is held by a hot-air balloon with a double-decker gondola and… 35 people on board!
Our Penny Plant hot-air balloon is ready for take-off!
My first picture after I gathered my thoughts. I had always dreamed of riding in a balloon, but I never thought it would happen so quickly. The feeling of freedom, height and tranquility is amazing.
Fantastic vistas over Bristol city.
A balloon flies over the main landmark of Bristol – the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Bristol from above is gorgeous.
A pair of penguins – a boy and a girl - soars over the city. Puddles and Splash made their debut at the fiesta, their first date. And who knows? Maybe next year we will see them again with baby penguin balloons...
I was so impressed with the flight and the incredible views that I forgot to ask how we were flying back, and where the steering wheel of this device was. Then my pilot Andy said: “This is a one-way flight, young lady”.
So, after an unforgettable 55-minute flight we landed in a field around 40 km away from the launch site. I had my feet back on solid ground, tired but happy.
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Winter Fun in Chamonix VillageChamonix is considered to be one of the most popular skiing resorts in Alps. It's a small village right next to the Mont Blanc tunnel and the mountain itself - which has the highest peak in Alps.
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Tanzania: the Magical World of Maasai and Wild AnimalsI’m a traveller with great experience. I have travelled around the world and have seen many unbelievable places and people. But this trip to Africa was different. It was like a dream which turned over my consciousness. Now that I am back and can think rationally, I can confirm, “This was the best and most vivid trip of my life”.
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Experiencing Luxury on the Scenic Rim Trail by SpicersI don’t pretend to be an avid hiker, bushwalker or camping aficionado. I prefer a white sandy beach with beautiful, cool water and a shady spot to sit and relax with a good book; this is where you usually find luxury. Hiking isn’t normally associated with luxury travel. Most of the time, you spend the day climbing mountains and exploring dense forests, then curl up in a small tent with a tin of food.
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Paanajarvi: Russia’s Winter WonderlandAs I never tire of admiring winter landscapes, three days in Karelia was something of a dream for me! We spent three days there, riding snowmobiles through Paanajarvi National Park. The first few minutes riding over the lake were quite scary but it didn’t take long for me to get an adrenalin buzz! Everything you see around you is stunning; endless expanses of pure, untouched nature.As I never tire of admiring winter landscapes, three days in Karelia was something of a dream for me! We spent three days there, riding snowmobiles through Paanajarvi National Park. The first few minutes riding over the lake were quite scary but it didn’t take long for me to get an adrenalin buzz! Everything you see around you is stunning; endless expanses of pure, untouched nature.
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Flights of Fancy: 5 Awesome Hot Air Balloon RidesIf you’ve ever fancied floating up, up and away on a hot air balloon, you could realise this dream on your next trip. Our partner Holiday Lettings suggests breathtaking places from the Serengeti to Switzerland for your flight. The sky is, literally, the limit here - so what are you waiting for?
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Written by Irina Golubeva
I still remember my first trip. It was to London. I fell in love with this city the moment I saw it. Just - "click", and my heartbeat quickened. I was chosen by it. Red and funny double-decker buses, serious black cabs, the gorgeous Buckingham palace... That's it! I am your admirer forever! From that moment I have visited many places and have been to many countries. Traveling became my passion. My long lasting love, which I hope will never end.
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