{"id":58803,"date":"2017-09-22T04:18:19","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T11:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cookiesandclogs.com\/?p=58803"},"modified":"2017-10-03T17:37:21","modified_gmt":"2017-10-04T00:37:21","slug":"hot-air-balloon-ride-tips-napa-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cookiesandclogs.com\/hot-air-balloon-ride-tips-napa-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Tips for Riding in a Hot Air Balloon & Soaring Over Napa Valley California"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Have you ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon? Does it rank pretty high on your bucket list? For me, my answer would be \u201cno\u201d and \u201cno.\u201d I mean, I wasn\u2019t opposed to it but I also wasn\u2019t that interested either. I always thought, \u201cYeah, that might be cool\u2026\u201d but it never went beyond a passing thought, especially when I considered how much it costs. As for Frans, he is afraid of heights. So, the idea of going up hundreds of feet and being suspended by only a thin piece of fabric and some hot air was not a happy one. But, after going on a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley<\/a>, we are now believers.<\/p>\n

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8 Tips for Riding in a Hot Air Balloon<\/h3>\n

Before going on our first flight, we really didn’t know what to expect and we had several questions. Here are a few tidbits we picked up along the way which could help you have a better first-time hot air balloon ride.<\/p>\n

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1. Choose a reputable company with quality equipment and experienced pilots.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, since there are risks involved in ballooning, I wouldn\u2019t suggest you fly with just anyone. Choose a reputable company with well-maintained quality equipment and experienced pilots. Our flight reservation was with Napa Valley Balloons, Inc<\/a>. This company has been going strong since 1980 and uses well-seasoned pilots. They also replace their equipment every year so everything is in tip-top flying condition. Check online ratings and look for personal recommendations (like this one \ud83d\ude09 ).<\/p>\n

2. Be there on time and follow directions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The hardest part about going on a hot air balloon ride was waking up! The air is usually calmer and less windy in the early morning so flights tend to take off before sunrise. Frans and I got up a little after 4:00 am and had to be on-site before 5:30 am. Anyone arriving 15 minutes after departure time is treated as a no-show with no refund. So, make sure you’re on time! Keep an eye on the weather too. If the conditions are less than ideal, the balloons can’t take off. The company will call you to reschedule if the weather isn’t cooperating. Keep in mind that this is for your and their safety.<\/p>\n

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We arrived at Domaine Chandon Winery in Yountville (our meeting spot) a few minutes early and light refreshments were waiting for us. Then, we received some basic instructions about what to expect on the flight, information about pilots and payment, and some housekeeping items (i.e. safety, what we could bring, how to know which balloon we were going to be in, etc). Then we made our way over to the shuttle vans.<\/p>\n

3. Go for the corners if possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was just a short ride to the huge open fields where the balloons were being set up. There were small footholds in the side of the basket so it was easy to climb in, well, relatively easy since I was wearing a maxi skirt that day. We rode in the largest of the company\u2019s five balloons that day. The basket held twenty people and was divided into 4 passenger sections. The middle section was reserved for the pilot and the flight equipment.<\/p>\n

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If possible, try to get placed near the corner of the basket. You\u2019ll get much better photos that way. Frans and I were further toward the middle and it was hard to get good selfies without other people in them.<\/p>\n

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4. Take tons of photos but be mindful of other passengers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The flight itself, from take-off to landing, was unbelievably smooth. The views were breathtaking and, as the sun began to rise above the horizon, other balloons seemed to glow in the morning light. As we took it all in, our 45 minutes to 1 hour in the air went by in the blink of an eye. It’s so calm and peaceful up there!<\/p>\n