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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 Alex, June 12, 2012 11:30 am

In today’s hectic world, spending quality time with your loved one can become a luxury. So, when you do have time to yourselves, you should make the most of it! Rather than spending another Friday night at the local restaurant or cinema, consider giving your loved one the experience of a lifetime. A romantic hot air balloon ride could literally take your relationship to new heights.

The Experience

On a romantic hot air balloon ride, you and your loved one can experience some of Britain’s most beautiful sights in an entirely new way. You and your partner can enjoy and gentle float into the sky where you can let all your troubles drift away. Your balloon will then float gently on the breeze, allowing you to experience the majesty of the British countryside in one of the world’s oldest forms of air transportation. This uniquely old-fashioned experience will give you precious memories for years to come.

When you fly on an aeroplane, the only objective is to reach the destination as quickly as possible. On hot air balloon flights, you can forget about speed and focus on the experience. With just the wind as its navigator, a balloon ride will give you the chance to take in stunningly romantic panoramas while spending quality time with your loved one.

Virgin Balloon Flights

The team at Virgin Balloon Flights can help to create an unforgettably romantic experience for you and your partner. Taking off from one of over a hundred conveniently located launch sites, you and your loved one will be treated to a ballooning experience of between 3 and 4 hours. On arrival you and your partner will be greeted and given a briefing by your pilot. If you choose to, you can make the most of this unique experience by helping with the balloon’s inflation. You will then experience a flight of around an hour in one of Virgin’s iconic hot air balloons, travelling in whatever direction the wind takes you. On landing, you can help with the deflation of the balloon, and finally toast your remarkable journey with a glass of champagne. You will then be transported back to your original launch site.

Hot air balloon rides for couples are incredibly romantic, and Virgin Balloon Flights offers a range of extras to create an experience you and your partner will never forget. You could both enjoy a bottle of champagne or prosecco from beautiful crystal champagne glasses, or share an indulgent box of milk chocolate champagne truffles. However you choose to personalise your ballooning experience, you and your partner are sure to have an experience that will stay with both of you forever.

Is Ballooning Safe?

Hot air ballooning is one of the oldest forms of air transportation in the world, and one of the safest ways to fly. They only move as fast as the wind blows them. Hot air balloons also have a very simple design. There are no moving parts so there is very little to go wrong. During a Virgin Balloon Flight, the balloon is controlled by an experienced pilot, so you and your loved one can relax and enjoy your journey.

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By Kirsty, June 9, 2012 11:30 am

Twelve months ago Byron Highfield arrived at our Belton Woods launch site in Grantham, Lincolnshire, with a ring box in his pocket and his girlfriend Nikki in tow. A balloon flight later Nikki became his fiancée, one year on and she’s now his wife.

On the eve of the all-important flight, Byron had done the honourable thing and asked Nikki’s father for his daughter’s hand in marriage in preparation for the sky-high proposal. With his future father-in-law onside, Byron (and Nikki) made their way to Grantham from their home in Newark and headed skywards.

“We flew over Belton House and the golf course and then over lots of countryside. I was a little nervous and don’t think I took too much in from the flight. My favourite part of the flight had to be halfway through when I proposed, but we both also enjoyed the take-off and having to climb into the basket,” said Byron.

Of course delighted by Byron’s question, Nikki said yes and exactly a year later they tied the knot at their local church St Giles Balderton and then partied with friends and family at Rufford Mill, Rufford Park.

Byron added: “We would definitely be looking to fly again in the future, I’m sure it will make a nice present for an anniversary.”

Virgin Balloon Flights offer hot air balloon rides from over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland & Wales from as little as £89 per person. Make someone’s day with a ticket to the sky. Call 0844 844 8080 or visit the Virgin Balloon Flights website.

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By Kirsty, May 3, 2012 11:09 am

Another happy couple plan to tie the knot after a romantic airborne proposal on board a Virgin hot air balloon.

For three years 26 year old Lucy Jenkins had wanted to take to the skies in a hot air balloon, little did she know that this year long-term partner Karl Dalgarno,29 would purchase flights and ask the ultimate question at 3000 feet!

After meeting six years ago just before Valentine’s Day in Luton, Karl knew the anticipated proposal would need to be equally romantic, and floating above the Bedfordshire countryside seemed the perfect opportunity. Lucy accepted Karl’s proposal and the couple landed around an hour later in Arlesey and toasted their news with a glass of champagne.

“We really enjoyed the flight and would recommend it to anyone; we’ll definitely do it again! It was a perfect morning and seeing the views and the wildlife from the sky added to our special occasion,” said Karl.

“We had an amazing time and thank you for the fantastic experience; I couldn’t have done it without you!”

Congratulations Karl and Lucy. We hope the wedding you’ve planned for April 2014 is simply perfect.

Planning to pop the question? Fly from over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales from as little as £89 per person. Call 0844 844 8080 or visit virginballoonflights.co.uk for further details.