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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 Kirsty, April 8, 2013 9:59 am

It’s not uncommon to celebrate a birthday with balloons, but Jessica Bill celebrated her 24^th aboard a 100 foot tall hot air balloon floating 3000 feet up in the sky.

Jess and boyfriend of two years, Nick Crosby, 29, from Gamston, took to the skies from Stoke Rochford Hall, in Grantham, Lincolnshire, in an iconic red Virgin balloon last week.

The sunrise voyage marked the achievement of a lifetime ambition for the couple, who bought the balloon ride vouchers for their first anniversary.

“We’ve both always wanted to go on a balloon flight. Everyone was great and really looked after us and, even though we met up at 6am on a freezing cold morning, they we really upbeat and fun. When we told them it was Jess’ birthday they all started singing happy birthday to her, the rest of the passengers joined in too,” said Nick.

Jess added: “My favourite bit was the views, they were amazing and something I’ll never forget. The champagne toast after we landed was great too.”

Travelling around eight miles to the east during the hour-long flight, the balloon landed land near Belvoir Castle before experienced pilot Martin Collinson presented Jess and Nick with their personalised flight certificates.

Martin, 46 from Grantham said “It was great to have Jessica and Nick on board, there’s something special about singing happy birthday in the open air over the countryside, it’s magical! After the snow we’ve had, a beautiful clear balloon ride was a special way to celebrate her day; I’m delighted they enjoyed it.”

The couple, who are due to be married in August next year, said they were now keen to experience another balloon ride as part of their honeymoon.

Balloon flights are available from sites across the UK including Nottingham from £99pp via www.virginballoonflights.co.uk or on 0844 844 8080.

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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 Kirsty, March 22, 2013 4:25 pm

Our hot air balloon flights over the Kentish countryside are extremely popular and ballooning over Kent gives you a totally unique perspective of the beautiful southern landscape from the sky. We’re proud to present yet another new launch site for the 2013 flying season here at Virgin Balloon Flights; Oakwood House, Maidstone.

Oakwood House, a beautiful 19^th Century Victorian mansion is directly adjacent to the launch site and sets the scene for those wanting to escape to the skies on an airborne adventure in one of our iconic red hot air balloons in the south east of England.

As you rise from the grounds of Oakwood Park, pilot Damon Bridger will point out your surroundings while you glide above the landscape taking in the greenery, villages and towns below.

Sue Rackliffe, Sales Manager at Oakwood House said “We are thrilled that Virgin Balloons have chosen the parkland here as their latest launch site and we look forward to welcoming those who will be enjoying this amazing experience”

 

What’s more, post flight you can re-call your ballooning exploration over lunch, afternoon tea or a delicious dinner in the conservatory style Courtyard Bar – perfect!

If you’d like to join us on a Virgin Balloon Flight in Kent from just £79pp simply visit our website or give us a call on 0844 8448070.

See you in the sky.

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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 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 Kirsty, February 8, 2013 6:22 pm

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, what better time to announce another one of our brand new Virgin Balloon Flights launch sites for 2013, the renowned village of Gretna Green. Just over the Anglo-Scottish border, Gretna Green has been famous for runaway weddings since 1754 and now loved-up couples can enjoy one of the world’s most romantic forms of aviation there too; a hot air balloon ride with our lovely pilot Peter Philpot.

What better way to enjoy the Scottish countryside with a loved one than gliding through the air in an iconic Virgin red balloon watching the world turn below the basket?! Post flight find out why Gretna Green is so aluring to those in love, touch the famous anvil and see where starry-eyed couples exchange their vows. Maybe it’s your turn to tie the knot? After all a hot air balloon proposal is a the perfect way to pop the question in the clouds.

Give the gift of flight this Valentine’s Day and take to the skies from Gretna Green from as little as £115pp. You can make that romantic moment even more special with a ‘Love is in the air’ balloon in a box too.

Simply visit virginballoonflights.co.uk or call 0844 8448080.

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By Kirsty, February 6, 2013 2:19 pm

For as long as 60-year-old photographer Steve Bramall could remember his wife Julie had wanted to fly in a hot air balloon. Making her dreams a reality, Steve bought Julie a Virgin Balloon Flight as a Christmas gift.

The father of two, known as the ‘Grumps’ to his four ‘Grumpling’ grandchildren, got in touch to tell us about the Nottingham couple’s airborne adventure on a balloon ride over Derbyshire and to share the moments he brilliantly captured on camera. Here is his story…

“I chose Virgin because they are a known brand so I knew we would be safe and due to the choice of launch sites. The website gave me all the information I needed about the various voucher choices and what to expect on the day. The icing on the cake for me was when I booked the tickets they arranged for them to be delivered to my daughter’s house in a plain envelope so not to spoil the surprise.

The flight was only one third of the experience; it starts by helping get the balloon ready to launch which my wife found great fun. The day was perfect, crisp and bright with a low lying mist so right from the moment the pilot gave the OK to stand up the views were stunning. To be truthful I don’t think any of my photographs could do it justice. I don’t know why but it seemed like everyone in the basket felt the need to talk only when strictly necessary, and then in hushed tones. The pilot told us where we were flying over, the height and other snippets of information at intervals throughout the flight. We flew over the Derbyshire countryside from Bakewell, towards Rowsley then out across Darley Moor towards Brockhurst. It was absolutely fantastic, the morning sun rising up and the low lying mist acting as veil over the landscape.

We had expected it to be cold during the flight and had dressed accordingly but once were off and away it was quite warm. The pilot explained that this phenomenon was due to us going at the same speed as the wind and therefore there was no wind chill, guess we all learnt something too. We flew towards the M1 with our pilot looking for a suitable landing place and everyone else hoping he would not find one for another 10 minutes, and then another 10 minutes! Eventually a suitable spot was found and we landing nice and gently, and upright, in the grounds of Hardwick Hall.”

When asked what his favourite part of the experience was Steve explained that simply watching his wife Julie enjoy the day was by far the best. Closely following Julies enjoyment, Steve relished in the stunning views, peace and serenity of the flight.

Steve has been taking photographs, mainly of landscapes, for the last 30 years and is unfortunately considering retirement due to health reasons. All his photographs, including those from the balloon flight with Virgin are available to purchase as prints or publication rights on his website www.bramall.org.uk , if you’d like to contact Steve, feel free to fill out the contact form on his website.

To take to the skies above Derbyshire, simply visit virginballoonflights.co.uk or call us on 0844 8448080 for East Midland Virgin Balloon Flight vouchers from just £79pp.

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By Kirsty, February 5, 2013 2:30 pm

Each year Virgin Balloon Flights takes a team of pilots, crew and guests out to Mondovi in Piemonte, Italy, for a stable and balloon friendly climate to carry out annual check flights and training for pilots.

This year a group of 38 balloon enthusiasts enjoyed a ten day trip to the centre for ballooning in Italy, which included Chief Pilot and CEO Kenneth Karlstrom and 16 of our Virgin hot air balloon pilots from across the country.

A total of nine flights went ahead over the ten day period where required tests and checks were carried out on the Virgin balloon as well as completing group conversions where experienced pilots are certified to fly bigger hot air balloons.

Kenneth said: “The trip was hard work but we achieved everything that needed to be achieved. Another successful event which meant the opportunity for socialising, eating pizza and drinking good wine!”

Here’s a selection of photographs taken by balloon crew member and annual staff photography competition winner Neil Marshall and a video put together by pilot Richard Prowse.

Mondovi January 2013 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The start of the UK ballooning season will commence in March and we’ll be taking to the skies from over 100 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. Be part of it by calling 0844 8448080 or visiting virginballoonflights.co.uk