Balloon rides

Tom L

Tom L

Tom L

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Joined
18 Oct 2002
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Cheltenham
Anyone been on one before?

Thinking of buying one for the other half as she has always wanted to go on one. However, looking at 'experience' websites, I see there are 2 types, one for around £250-350 mark or one for around the £700 mark.

I'm guessing the cheaper option is you being with others in the basket, whereas, the other is for the 2 of you alone (obviously with the pilot too, I hope!).

My question is, has anyone been on a balloon ride with the cheaper option? If so, are you with others? If so, how many and is it crammed?

The last thing I want for something which is apparently quite 'romantic' is being like a squashed sardine in a basket high in the air!

Thanks
 
I chased a balloon a couple of months ago to get a picture as it landed. It looked like one of the trips with a few people in, there are about 6-8 people in there, but it was a big basket. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/3955688924_496c347251_b.jpg

If you can afford the more expensive one it would be amazing, personally I would go for the cheaper option and do something else with the extra cash. 2 presents are better than 1 :)
 
Whatever you do wait until the spring/summer.

My mother used to be a secretary for a company that did rides so I went up several times, in the winter when it's cloudy it's just dull, dark and you won't feal your getting your moneys worth.
 
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I had one with my work, it was a coldish afternoon but there was hardly any wind and it was a VERY special experience, the silence (when the burner is off) is breathtaking.
 
A colder day will give you better flying conditions because the hot air generates more lift.

I did mine near Ross-on-Wye. Awesome as we took off in the morning valley mist, rose above it and during the course of the flight the mist was driven off leaving a beautiful sunny day.

We had a group but to be honest it's not a problem. Just remember warm socks as the air passes through the basket and cools your feet. The burner keeps your head and upper body warm but your feet are too far away thus the warm socks :D

I agree, we drifted over forest and we could see the deer unspooked down below, well until the burner :D
 
Tom L said:
Anyone been on one before?

Thinking of buying one for the other half as she has always wanted to go on one. However, looking at 'experience' websites, I see there are 2 types, one for around £250-350 mark or one for around the £700 mark.
Click to expand...

omg thats expensive, i was thinking of something along these lines but at those prices i'll have to find something else, maybe she'll like a rally driving day instead :cool:
 
I went on one in Africa. Was fantastic, the wife wasn't too keen on going close to the edge though.

Costco had cheap vouchers for a Virgin Experience balloon trip. Half the price you are looking at.
 
I did one over the Arizona desert and it was amazing. Not much concern over weather there though.

People I know who have tried it in this country have had a number of attempts before the weather was good enough to go, so you do have to be lucky.

P
 
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