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By Kirsty, June 21, 2011 2:08 pm

Last week we blogged about 8 year old Olivia Staveley being the lucky winner of a pair of Virgin Balloon Flight vouchers for her superb entry into the Burnley Express draw dad competition.

The talented youngster was smiling ear to ear when she received her prizes outside the Charter walk Shopping Centre this week, let’s hope dad loved them!

Once again, well done Olivia!

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By Kirsty, June 15, 2011 1:43 pm

A few gorgeous photographs from a flight with pilot Martin Collinson that launched from our Wollaton Park launch site Nottingham. Taking off at 8pm and travelling north east for just short of an hour over the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepoint.

On the same flight lucky passengers flew over the River Trent, the Nottingham County Cricket Ground and Nottingham Forrest Football Club, what a busy flight!

You too can fly from Woolaton Park from as little as £109pp. See you in the sky!

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By Kirsty, June 13, 2011 5:57 pm

Eight year old Olivia Staveley is the lucky winner of a pair of Virgin Balloon Flights to treat

her deserving Dad with for Father’s Day this coming Sunday! The Cliviger school girl entered the Draw Dad competition though the Burnley Express newspaper and judges picked her drawing as the ultimate Dad image.

You too can give Dad an experience of a lifetime with Virgin Balloon Flights, this super Father’s Day gift starts from just £89 per person. With over 100+ launch sites to choose from, Dad’s adventure is never too far from home. Show him just how much you care and see beautiful Britain from a totally new perspective.

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By Eve, May 17, 2011 2:24 pm

Next week sees the celebration of National Balloon Week commencing May 22^nd 2011.

A balloon is simply a flexible bag inflated with a gas such as helium, hydrogen or oxygen and can be made from material such as rubber, latex or nylon. Even dried animal bladders have been used in the past to make balloons; lovely!

In 1824, whilst experimenting with different gases, Michael Faraday invented the most common type of balloon, the rubber balloon.

In 1782, whilst watching a bonfire the French Montgolfier brothers, realised that warm air was lighter than cool air and set about filling a bag with hot air to see if it would fly. The rest is history as they say.

In contrast, in the 1970s, metalized plastic film began to be used to create pretty decorative floating foil balloons filled with helium.

As well as for fun, balloons are used as flying machines for transport, pleasure trips, defence and meteorology.

It goes without saying that here at Virgin Balloon Flights we love balloons, not least because balloons tend to conjure images of colour, happiness and celebration.

Balloons can also symbolise something special; a birthday, a party, happiness, togetherness and in
the case of hot air ballooning – daring, romance and adventure! Just visit our gallery and you’ll get
the idea.

So to experience a magical balloon ride in one of our beautiful big red iconic balloons and feel part of ballooning history, take a look at our range of balloon flights that take off from almost every corner of England, Scotland and Wales.

You can also find out more about the ballooning experience by visiting us on Facebook and by following us @VirginBalloons on Twitter.

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By Eve, June 9, 2010 11:40 am

No one loves surprises more than us. When someone gives you a gift and you have no idea what it is, it makes opening it really, really exciting.

Our hot air balloon rides make perfect gifts especially at this time of year when Father’s Day is just around the corner.

Customers who buy our balloon vouchers as a gift often ask if it’ll be obvious what they are when they arrive in the post so as to keep the balloon ride secret until the big day.

Whether it’s a birthday present, an engagement gift or an anniversary surprise Virgin Balloon Flights have taken several steps to help you keep your secret safe. Here’s how:

1. Our balloon ride vouchers and packages come in plain packaging with absolutely no branding so no one will ever know what joy awaits them – they are even marked Private & Confidential
2. When you order online you’ll be asked how you would like to receive your vouchers – choose Post Only if you share your computer or email account with the gift recipient
3. Select our Express Delivery option if you need to know exactly when your tickets will arrive, this costs £6 and you’ll receive a text and email to advise delivery time to the hour! Learn about the best delivery option for you

Virgin Balloon Flights Voucher, Wallet and Souvenir Brochure

Helpful Tips to Ensure the Perfect Gift Experience

1. Select Post Only option on our website so no email confirmations are sent which may be seen by prying eyes
2. You can buy a voucher and book a flight for your loved one if you know when they can fly, the most efficient way to do this is to get tickets by email and post by choosing the Email and Post option in your shopping basket, minding your Inbox if you do
3. If you book the flight as well for your loved one remember if you want to keep the flight quiet until the very last moment you’ll have to call our flight line beforehand to check if the flight is going ahead
4. Have timing and routes to the launch site planned beforehand, don’t forget we may launch from a back up site so make sure you know where these are too – all info will be on your booking confirmation
5. Check what days and times your gift recipient can fly as this’ll affect the type of voucher you buy for them
6. Use your SnapFish voucher to print up to 40 free digital prints of your loved one’s airborne adventure and/ or see the pilot for a commemorative photo of everyone on the balloon ride taken mid-flight as the perfect memento
7. Remember to tear off the little perforated tab in the right hand corner of your vouchers if you want the face value to be kept schtum from your gift recipient

The only thing we can’t help you with is keeping your secret shush until the big day. Don’t let the cat out of the bag and enjoy the look of excitement on your loved one’s face when the surprise unravels.

There's nothing quite like a ride in a big red balloon as the perfect gift

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By Kirsty, May 28, 2010 4:39 pm

So it’s coming close to that time of year again where we shower our Dads, with love and praise for doing such a wonderful job at turning us into who we are. The celebration of the number one man in our lives should of course reflect how appreciative we are of him being just so great. A voyage in a Virgin hot air balloon is just about the best present any Dad could hope for, we think!

So, send him on the adventure of a lifetime to see the world from the sky in an experience like no other. Let him soar into the clouds and glide over one of 100+ launch sites across England, Scotland or Wales.

Dad can enjoy a pilot greeting, registration and safety briefing before being invited to help with the inflation of the balloon ready for lift off. With around an hour in the air and transport back to his original launch site we have everything covered to keep Dad happy this Father’s Day.

Top off his journey with a glass of Champagne and a personalised certificate signed by his pilot and endorsed by Sir Richard Branson. Give all this and more to Dad for as little as £94.99 per person.

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By Kirsty, April 7, 2010 1:43 pm

With Mother’s Day done and dusted for another year, it’s soon time to turn our attention to the main man in our lives …. our Dad! With the third Sunday in June dedicated to honouring your Dad and saying thank you for everything, Father’s Day is the perfect time to show him how much you care.

Why not give the most amazing gift and treat Dad to an adventure in the sky! With Virgin Balloon Flights Dad can see the world from a totally new perspective, gliding above one of over a hundred launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales for around an hour before receiving a traditional Champagne toast and a certificate signed by his pilot and endorsed by Sir Richard Branson.

Check out this month’s special offers to pick the perfect package for your Dad.

Take to the skies and come fly with us!