Up, up and away! If you would rather be looking down at the sights from a hot air balloon, here are seven of the best destinations where you can soar!

Dubai: Dubai’s landscape is filled with dunes and deserts, which are perfect for seeing from a relaxing hot air balloon ride. Peregrine falcons, which are the fastest in the world, fly right next to you while gazelles, camels, and the Arabian Oryx roam the sands below you. Flying over the Hajar Mountains during the sunset is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind experience.

Ireland: Ireland is known for its lush grassland and beautiful castles. What better way to see these than in a hot air balloon? One beauty you might see is Trim Castle, which was built in 1172 and was a filming location for the movie Braveheart. There are other castles and archeological sites you’ll see as you fly over County Meath, as well as religious ruins and 2500-year old mount structures.

Scottsdale, Arizona: Like Dubai, Arizona is filled with desert and dry land. Many hot air balloon tours will take you over these beautiful landscapes, such as the Sonoran Desert and Deer Valley. You can see beautiful sunrises and sunsets as well as some of the coolest wildlife, including coyote and jackrabbits.

Africa: Africa is a very large continent with many different countries to see and visit – in this case, from above. Head down to Tanzania if you want to watch the sun rise over the Serengeti. Botswana hot air balloon tours show a glimpse of the wildlife roaming, such as elephants and crocodiles. If you’re a fan of Egyptian history, you can view pyramids and monuments from up above as well.

Napa Valley, California: California is known for its vineyards and agriculture, making for beautiful views on any hot air balloon ride, especially in Napa Valley. One winery you could see is Castello di Amorosa, which sits in a 13^th century castle. Napa Valley is also the site of geysers and hot springs that have been featured in National Geographic.

England: England has a nice combination of historic landmarks and beautiful geography, making each hot air balloon ride a unique experience. London alone has Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, which can be viewed from up in the sky rather than down below. Bristol is also the spot of Europe’s largest hot air balloon festival, making it a must-see for fans of hot air ballooning.

Albuquerque, New Mexico: While Bristol has the largest hot air balloon festival in Europe, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest in the world. There is even the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, a museum dedicated to hot air ballooning. It’s no wonder ballooning is so popular here – the clear skies and calm winds allow for year-long rides. Some companies even allow balloonists to take to the skies before the sun comes up.

Jody’s Travel Inc