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By Alex, June 20, 2012 11:45 am

Hot air balloons have got to be one of the most romantic things in the world. As far as romance goes, they beat the Gondolas of Venice hands down. Elephant rides in India or the Orient Express? No chance. Floating gently through the air with beautiful views to all sides, drifting as the winds (and the steady guiding hand of an experienced balloon pilot) take you… The atmosphere is perfect.

Best of all, a couple can share this experience and all its wonder as a precious and personal memory. No two ballooning experiences are exactly alike and it’s not like being crammed onto a busy tour boat or bus with dozens of other people. A balloon basket is a naturally intimate place.

The perfect proposal

If you’re looking for a really special moment to pop the biggest of all questions, hot air balloon rides for couples are the perfect answer. You don’t need to do much preparation. All you need to bring is the ring- just don’t drop it over the basket edge- and the one you love. The balloon trip itself can stay a surprise until the last minute and you can choose the best possible moment to get down on one knee.

Everything else will be taken care of. You’ll have a ready-made romantic atmosphere, a little dash of adrenaline flowing, and some of the best views anyone could hope for. What better way to show someone that you’d give them the whole world if you could?

Of course, proposing in a balloon also makes a great story. The first question any new bride gets asked- and it will be asked a lot- is how the proposal happened. Telling friends and family that you pulled out a beautiful ring in a hot air balloon would be great fun for everyone!

Anniversaries and birthdays

Forget buying a new shirt for him or a bunch of flowers for her. Compare the usual anniversary gift with hot air balloon rides over the Lake District and they just don’t measure up. There is something in it for the gift buyer too- both parties get to enjoy the trip.

A ballooning experience is one gift that won’t soon be forgotten. The only danger is that it’ll be hard to top next year, and you can worry about that next year. For this anniversary, relax and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.

Valentine’s Day

It might seem a little early to start talking about Valentine’s Day, but making sure that you have a unique, memorable and romantic plan for this special day is still essential. If on 14th February you would like to present your partner with a particularly special gift, a voucher for a romantic balloon ride offers a truly unique opportunity that will undoubtedly provide you both with unforgettable memories you’ll cherish for years to come.

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By Kirsty, June 21, 2011 11:42 am

How fitting that Virgin’s ‘Summer of Love’ is upon us and pilot Mark ‘Nobby’ Simmons had an engagement on board one of our lovely balloons over Bath!

Happy couple Lee Hall, 35 and Carly Jenkins 25 from Hampshire, originally hooked up the 21^st century way by meeting on match.com, going on their very first date in December 2009. Flying to celebrate Carly’s 25^th birthday, the whole experience was a complete surprise and became a double celebration when nervous Lee popped the big question.

“I’ve always wanted to propose this way! I’ve wanted to fly on a balloon for years and I’ve always planned this would be the way once id met that special someone – it just so happened that Carly has always dreamed of flying in a hot air balloon too… so, with her 25th birthday looming (11th June day of the flight) i felt this would be my perfect opportunity to ask,” said Lee.

“I was so nervous as everything was weather pending! It had been raining ALL week in Southampton and i had everything set for this one day, i wanted it to be a birthday that she’d always remember and i honestly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day! I was so happy when i found out the night before that the flight was a GO… I didn’t sleep a wink!”

Nodding and bursting into tears, Carly (of course) accepted the proposal in front of the beautiful sky high backdrop before floating into the distance together, how romantic! Mr and Mrs Hall to be have already planned to get hitched next year and said they would love to fly with us again.

“The flight was amazing; we both loved every minute of it. It was like you were floating on air, fantastic experience! Even now i can get over how peaceful and quiet it was. I don’t think any other form of flying comes close. I’d recommend it to everyone and we’d defiantly do it again!

Thank you once again, from the very first phone call to organise the flight, Nobby’s piloting skills and to now you’ve all been brilliant, really helpful.”

Thanks Lee, and CONGRATULATIONS from all of us here at Virgin Balloon Flights.