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By Alex, May 7, 2013 10:51 am

If you’re planning to pop the question to your partner, you might be feeling the pressure. The gesture could be the most important you’ve ever made and, if everything goes to plan, it’ll be something you and your other half remember for the rest of your lives.

The important thing is to prepare properly. You don’t want to rush the proposal and then regret it.

The ideal setting

First and foremost, you’ll need to think about where to get down on bended knee. Rather than going for something run-of-the-mill, why not consider hot air balloon rides? These majestic and romantic airborne experiences are unlike anything else.

Especially if your partner has never taken to the skies like this, she’ll be amazed by the journey – and your romantic gesture will be the icing on the cake.

You’ll ascend into the sky hand in hand and get to marvel at the undulating and green countryside. This certainly beats a simple picnic in the park!

Decisions decisions

Of course, you’ll need to decide which take-off spot to set off from. Perhaps you think your other half would like to experience local sights from a new, airborne perspective, or maybe a trip further afield would be better.

Here at Virgin Balloon Flights we offer over 100 locations across England, Scotland and Wales.

Complete the experience

Whether you choose to make the most of hot air balloon rides in Kent, flying experiences in Yorkshire or anything else, it’s a good idea to finish the trips off in style. You might decide to take your partner out for a luxurious meal, or maybe a romantic stroll around the surrounding countryside would be perfect.

For a truly indulgent experience, you could book a luxurious hotel and stick around for a couple of days.

Don’t forget the ring

It might sound obvious, but one thing you’ll need to keep right at the top of your checklist when the big day draws near is the all-important engagement ring. Imagine feeling the thrill of your balloon ride, seeing the expression of awe and amazement on your partner’s face and then realising you’ve left the ring at home or in the car. Not good.

As the excitement of your balloon ride and imminent proposal builds, make sure you keep this important detail at the forefront of your mind.

Act cool

Also, so that you don’t give the game away, try to act cool. If you seem shifty or distracted, your other half might start to get suspicious and the element of surprise may be lost.

A toast

The great thing is, when you land after your balloon flight, you will be handed a champagne toast, or a soft drink if you’d prefer. This is the perfect way to celebrate your engagement. Let’s just hope she says yes!

To find out more about the flights we offer, just take a look around the rest of our website. You’ll soon see why we’re number one for hot air balloon rides in the UK.

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By Alex, April 7, 2013 9:21 am

The Lake District is one of the most beautiful areas in the United Kingdom and well worth a visit. The beautiful landscapes are packed full of exciting things to do and see. One of the best ways of seeing the Lake District is by booking a place on one of our hot air balloon rides. When it comes to hot air balloon rides Lake District, some might claim that there are no finer sights on the planet. Experience a bird’s eye view of the rolling hills and stunning fresh water lakes by booking a place on one of our Lake District flying experience days today. Once you have seen the area from the air you will no doubt want to explore it on the ground. Here are some of the top places to visit in the Lake District.

1. Windermere

Windermere is quite possibly the best known place in the Lake District thanks to it being the subject of hundreds of books and poems. The stunning Lake is brimming with water sports activities. Take a trip on the ferry that crosses the Lake at regular intervals, or hire a rowing boat and take to the water yourself. The small bustling town of Ambleside is only a mile away and is packed full of inviting shops and tempting cafes for you to enjoy.

2. Coniston Water
Coniston Water is approximately five and a half miles wide, and is well known for being the place where Sir Donald Campbell tragically lost his life in his attempt to break the world speed record in his Bluebird. Rowing boats are available to hire on the water, but if you fancy something of a more cultural nature you could always take a trip to the Ruskin Museum in Brantwood, or The Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead.

3. Helvellyn
If you enjoy hiking then Helvellyn will be a treat for sure! As the third highest peak in the England, the mountain attracts walkers from all over the world. Striding Edge is one of the best scrambling routes in the country, but is also one of the most dangerous. Make sure that you are properly equipped before you go out onto the hills as the weather can change in an instant. You may not reach the top, but you will certainly find some fantastic photo opportunities no matter how high you reach.

4. Keswick
Just north of Derwent Water, Keswick is a friendly market town which dates back to the 13th century. The town hosts an annual beer festival and mountaineering race. The highly respected Theatre by the Lake also operates in Keswick and attracts thousands of theatre goers to its stages every year. It is also home to the Cumberland Pencil Museum which holds what is claimed to be the world’s largest pencil! Being the Lake District, there are plenty of outdoor activities to try in Keswick and there is no need to worry about being short of equipment due to the high number of outdoor shops.

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By Alex, March 7, 2013 9:14 am

It’s the time of year again when the shops are filled up with chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies. Whilst there is no doubt a time and place for eating through mountains of chocolate, this Easter you may want to consider treating your loved one to a slightly more thoughtful gift. After all, anyone can pop into a supermarket and buy an Easter egg, but if you want to show your partner how much you really love them a little more thought may be required. Fortunately, we are full of great ideas when it comes to buying gifts so read through our list and let us do all the hard work for you!

First of all, you should check out our fantastic hot air balloon flights. With flight centres dotted all around the country you are bound to find hot air balloon experiences at a location to suit you. There is nothing quite like riding in a hot air balloon. Experience looking at the world from a bird’s eye view with the person that you love by booking one of our hot air balloon rides for two. The views from a hot air balloon are simply stunning. Sneak an Easter egg into your pocket and enjoy a chocolate treat high up in the sky!

However, whilst hot air balloon rides are a fantastic experience, it may be that your partner is afraid of heights. If that is the case we have plenty of other ideas on how you can treat your loved one. Book a table at a top quality restaurant and take your partner out for dinner. You can either visit your old favourite, or be brave and try the food at an establishment which you have never been to before. There is great fun to be had in being adventurous, so insist that you both try something different from the menu for once!

The weather can still be very crisp during Easter, but it is the perfect time of year to head out into the countryside. Pack up a picnic and go on an adventure. There will be lots of lambs about in the fields and the sight of new life and green fields should be enough to cheer anybody up. Make sure that you take plenty of warm clothes or a rug, and you can snuggle up warmly together whilst enjoying a fresh picnic in the great outdoors.

Finally, if you definitely want to go down the old fashioned route of buying an Easter egg, why not go one step further by creating your own Easter egg hunt? Easter egg hunts can happen around your house, or you may want to think a bit bigger by placing secret clues around the area which you live in. At the end of the hunt when the chocolate is found, toast some marshmallows on an open fire and enjoy eating the sweets together. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you take the time to relax and properly enjoy Easter.

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By Alex, February 19, 2013 11:51 am

Are you looking for a present with a difference? Hot air balloon rides make the perfect unforgettable present. At Virgin balloons we offer quality hot air balloon rides. With over one hundred different locations across Britain you will be spoilt for choice. We have the largest fleet of hot air balloons in the UK and all our expert pilots have years of experience.

At Virgin balloons we offer flexible hot air balloon vouchers. Our flight experience vouchers comprise of a three to four hour experience. Firstly you will be greeted by our fantastic staff and fill in all of the necessary registration papers. Next there will be a briefing by your pilot and the chance to help inflate the balloon. Our pilots are happy to answer any questions you might have about the flight or about the balloon. The hot air balloon rides typically last around one hour. Hot air balloons let you see the British countryside as never before. Peer down on the landscape and wildlife below from hundreds of feet in the air. Each of our hot air balloon rides are unique as you never know where the wind will take you. Hot air balloon rides are like no other form of transport and really give you the chance to pause and appreciate the true beauty of Britain and your surroundings. Hot air balloon rides are the ideal experience to share with a loved one or friend. You can marvel together at the calm and serene atmosphere as you glide about in one of our magnificent hot air balloons. A truly unforgettable experience.

After your hot air balloon flight you will receive a champagne toast after landing or soft drink if you choose. We present everyone with a certificate signed by your pilot to commemorate the special day. Then you will be invited to help deflate the balloon and we will provide transport back to your launch site.

Here at Virgin balloons you can give the gift of flight with our flexible hot air balloon vouchers. We have made it as simple as possible to book one of our hot air balloon ride experiences. If you are booking a hot air balloon ride as a gift, all you have to do is choose the experience package you want and we will deliver your voucher and any additional extras you have chosen. Then all the recipient has to do is log on and book which date they want to redeem their hot air balloon ride. You can choose from regional or national balloon vouchers depending where you wish to take your flight. We have a number of different flight experience packages to choose from including our romance gift package for two and our luxury gift package for two. To make your present extra special we stock a variety of additional add on gifts such as chocolate champagne truffles, fair trade gift wine hamper, best of Britain gift hamper, compact binoculars and our Virgin balloon flight gift pack.

Let us show you the skies and create a hot air balloon flight experience you will never forget.

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By Alex, February 14, 2013 11:49 am

Are you looking for a present with a twist? How about buying your loved one an unforgettable hot air balloon experience?

At Virgin Balloons we offer breathtaking hot air balloon flights from over one hundred launch sites across England, Scotland and Wales. Our experienced pilots take more people on hot air balloon flights than any other company. We have the largest fleet of balloons and we also have the largest passenger balloon in the UK. You can trust us to open up the skies and provide a truly magical hot air balloon experience. All of our pilots at Virgin Balloons have full UK commercial balloon pilot’s licences and years of experience flying hot air balloons.

We offer hot air balloon experience days, which make the perfect present for a birthday or anniversary. With our hot air balloon experience days you will get a full three to four hour experience. Your hot air balloon day will begin with a greeting and registration then you will receive a comprehensive briefing by your pilot and the chance to ask any questions you may have. All of our passengers are then invited to help inflate the balloon a fantastic hands on experience and chance to see our magnificent balloons up close. After helping to inflate the balloon it is time for your hot air balloon flight to begin. You will get around an hour’s flight above beautiful British scenery. Experience the landscape below as never before and marvel at the countryside and wildlife hundreds of feet below. There is nothing like a hot air balloon experience. Be amazed at the quiet and serene atmosphere as you glide hundreds of feet up in the air and take in the true beauty of Britain.

After your hot air balloon flight you can toast your experience with Champagne or your choice of soft drink. You will be presented with a certificate signed by your pilot as a momento of your magical trip. If you wish to you can help with the deflation of the balloon and then you will be given transport back to the original launch site where you set off on your flight from.

Here at Virgin Balloons we are passionate about our hot air balloon experience days and aim to give our customers an unforgettable hot air balloon ride. If you are thinking about purchasing one of our hot air balloon experience days as a gift we offer flexible balloon ride vouchers. We have a wide range of gifts you can add on to make the hot air balloon experience even more luxurious. How about a luxury traditional wicker hamper filled with a half bottle of Mont Marcal Brut Cava and a box of delicious Montezuma milk chocolate champagne truffles to accompany your flight voucher. Or perhaps a pair of Virgin compact binoculars would make the perfect accompaniment with one of our hot air balloon flight vouchers.

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By Alex, January 24, 2013 12:14 pm

2013 is well and truly underway. After the madness of the festive season, most of us are settling back into our normal routines and lives. However, a new year should also mean a new start, and there has never been a better time to start planning how to achieve some of your dreams than right now. Hot air balloon rides are a breathtaking experience which many people think that they would like to do if only they got the chance. Well, 2013 can be the year that you make that chance happen thanks to the superb hot air balloon experience days offered by the UK’s number one provider of air balloon flights.

We are busy gearing up for the flights season here at Virgin Balloon Flights, and are extremely excited about what the New Year has in store. It has never been easier to book a place onto a hot air balloon experience. Pluck up the courage to purchase one of the most amazing experiences of your life by purchasing one of our vouchers for a balloon ride today. With one of our flight experiences you can expect a day exploring the great outdoors in a way which you will never forget.

There is nothing quite like seeing the world from the perspective offered by a balloon ride. You don’t have to go on a ride by yourself. Ask around your friends and family to see if they fancy sharing the experience with you. With flight locations all over the country you are bound to find one which is close to where you live. We cannot ever guarantee what route the hot air balloon will take because it will depend on the air patterns on the day. However, if you are going on a ride near where you live there is a chance that the balloon may fly over or close to your home.

One of the best things about our balloon rides is the fact that you don’t just have to be a spectator passenger. We encourage all our guests to get involved with helping to inflate and deflate the balloon. This can be huge fun, but make sure that you wear suitable clothing as it can get a bit chilly and muddy depending on the weather. Spend about an hour in the sky and see the world from a bird’s eye with your closest friends and family.

When the hot air balloon finally lands you can look forward to a champagne toast (or soft drink) to celebrate the trip. One thing is for certain, you will always have something to talk about at the dinner table once you have been on one of our hot air balloon experiences. Start living life on the wild side and sign up for a breathtaking experience which you will never forget. And don’t worry if people don’t believe that you have dared to take part in such an adventure – after every flight passengers are presented with an official certificate endorsed by Richard Branson.

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By Alex, January 11, 2013 12:12 pm

It is easy for us to get stuck going through the motions and experiencing the same old routines in life. However, it is nice to break out of such cycles every now and then and try something different. If you are sick and tired of going to the same old restaurants and watching the same types of films with your partner, why don’t you consider doing something completely different instead? Hot air balloon flights can act as a fantastic date because you will never get bored, and there will certainly be something to talk about afterwards!

We have special hot air balloon rides for 2 deals which prove to be fantastic value for money. Experience the world from way up high, with a truly enthralling journey in one of our romantic hot air balloon rides. Whilst this may not be the sort of date where you get dressed up in your finest suits and gowns, it is incredibly fun. You can get as involved as you want to, as all guests are invited to help inflate and deflate the balloons. There is nothing quite like seeing the world from a hot air balloon so book an experience of a lifetime today. If your hot air balloon ride awakens a sense of adventure in you, here are some other fantastic experiences for you to enjoy.

Paintballing
Paintballing is a competitive sport which is suitable for healthy adults of all ages. Be a soldier for the day and help your team repel the enemy. This safe and exhilarating game can be a little scary at times, but that is all part of the fun! Test your teamwork and strategy skills and get ready to dodge about facing the bad guys. With over 100 different locations across the country, there is bound to be a paintball experience near you.

Flying Lessons
If your hot air balloon ride awakens a passion for heights, then you may want to consider the next step and book some flying lessons together. Experience the thrill of navigating a light aircraft under the watchful eye of fully trained professional instructors. Depending on what type of lesson package you go for, you could take on the roles of being a navigator, observer, and pilot! Your friends and family will be seriously impressed when they hear that you have actually flown a plane yourselves.

Wine Tasting
It has to be said that hot air balloons, paintball, and flying lessons will definitely get your blood pumping with adrenaline. However, if you now fancy an experience which doesn’t require you to run about or take your feet off the ground, a wine tasting course may be exactly what you are looking for. Receive expert tuition from a leading wine specialist, and enjoy sampling some of the very finest wines available. This is an event which you can truly get dressed up for and can make a perfect date for people of every age. Start living life again by trying out new experiences.

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By Alex, December 18, 2012 12:11 pm

If you are looking for a luxurious and relaxing way to fly, then hot air balloon rides simply blow away the competition! At Virgin Balloon Flights, we have a wide variety of different flying experience gifts where you can buy two tickets, one for yourself and the other for the person you wish to take on this magical adventure. We have more than 100 locations across the United Kingdom, so you can get to see the bit of the UK you’ve always wanted to see. We have locations as far north as Castle Fraser and as far south as Totnes. A balloon flight is a great gift for those special occasions like birthdays and Christmas which can help to celebrate that person once more when you reach the flight date. We operate between March and November, making balloon flights a great thing to look forward to from Christmas when spring starts to come into full force. Alternatively, you can see our fair land in all its summer glory during the heights of July or as it passes into auburn autumn and the blitz of winter in November. We operate AM and PM flights so you can make the best of the landscape and your time. We can’t operate during midday since this can be problematic due to thermal columns rising from the ground.

Our weekday morning adventures can see you take to the skies while the UK is largely at work. This can mean that the roads will be clearer when we travel back to the launch point from the landing point. Each flight will last for about an hour, but the amount of distance we travel will be completely at the mercy of the wind. That’s part of the charm – to be driven by the Earth’s whim! For £109 per person you will also get a champagne toast and a certificate endorsed by Sir Richard Branson. You will also get a luxury voucher and a gift wallet as further mementos of your journey. When giving the gift of balloon flight experiences, it is important to bear in mind the months during which we operate and the year long duration of the gift certificate.

We also offer gift packages that come with something a little extra so you aren’t just giving a ticket. These come with binoculars, a bag, cap, sunglasses and other useful gifts that can ensure you always remember your trip with us. Everything has the Virgin brand logo, so you and your guests know it was with our historic ballooning company you flew with. Each of our gift packages are designed to be for the specific desires if our explorers including an adventure package that can take you over some of the most awe-inspiring sights in our country. The inspiration package will take you over some impressive landmarks offering you the chance to put your binoculars to full use. The celebration pack comes with everything you need to celebrate while floating serenely across the skies.

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By Alex, December 7, 2012 12:09 pm

At Virgin Balloon Flights we are here to provide you with the best experience of flying. We believe that there is no better way to experience the majesty of Great Britain’s landscapes than when hanging from far above, seeing for miles. Helicopters can prove to be too loud and expensive, planes far too quick and cramped. The humble balloon however is whisked away on the wind, your destination only the best guess of our operatives. Of course, we make sure we have a very good idea of where we are going to end up, since we use some of the most experienced balloon pilots in the business. However, not knowing entirely where we are going to end up is a part of all hot air balloon experiences. Not only will we be observing nature from the clouds but we will also be subject to its whims, soaring through the skies at speeds that will allow you to properly soak up the views across the countryside that we have been blessed with, but rarely have the chance to properly enjoy.

Our pilots are the perfect people to have with you on your hot air balloon experience days. Often with more than 20 years of experience, they are some of the most trusted pilots in the business and building on Virgin’s reputation as one of the pioneers of balloon flight, we are the best in the business. Each of our pilots are enthusiasts who know everything there is to know about balloons, which is why we have hand picked them. They will be able to give you all of the information you ask for and can put your mind at rest if you have any concerns about the flight.

We have flight locations across the country, so it is well worth checking our website for the one closest to you. Alternatively, you can seek out the one which you think will give you the best views. Each experience will last between 3 and 4 hours during which time we will greet you and register, before your pilot will brief you. We will also offer you the chance to get hands-on with balloon technology as we inflate the balloon. The flight time is approximately one hour and could potentially whisk us across countless miles reaching heights of up to 5000 feet to the landing point. This is largely dependent on the wind speed. We can also offer you a champagne or soft drink toast after landing to your first Virgin balloon voyage. You will also get a certificate signed by your pilot and endorsed by one of the world’s greatest balloon pioneers, Sir Richard Branson himself. As a memento of your trip, this is something that will go perfectly alongside your photographs. You will then be invited to help with the balloon deflation, giving another opportunity to learn more about the craft and how it operates. We will then give you transport back to the original launch site, and thus you will have completed your first balloon voyage.