Most of us are familiar with Hot Air Balloons from our childhood, after reading (or watching one of the many film adaptations of) Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days”. Maybe we won’t experience the same difficulties as Phileas Fogg -after all we won’t have to worry about the clock ticking- but we will definitely experience the same excitement of a Hot Air Balloon flight with the 21st century’s amenities.
Meet your traveling companions just before sunrise, get into the balloon basket and wait for your experienced F.A.A. Certified Pilot to take care of the rest. The launching varies, as it depends on the direction of the wind, but is always within a 15 mi/24 km radius of Traverse City.
The balloon flies as high as 2000-3000 ft/610-914 m or more. You will be able to see East and West Grand Traverse Bay, the Chain-o-lakes, as well as the alluring northern Michigan landscapes. A small camera or hand-held video camera may come in handy to capture the amazing scenery, while you’re in flight. Upon landing, the experience ends with the traditional Champagne Celebration.
In Cappadocia Region, in Central Anatolia, in Turkey, a small town, Göreme is famous for its incredible rock - volcanic formations and the numerous colorful air balloons crossing the sky over the city.
There’s not much to say about the capital of Sweden, Stockholm that has not already been said. One of the most vibrant and energetic capitals of Europe, Stockholm is a city that never sleeps.
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace is the connecting node between the Upper and Lower Peninsula at the northern end of the Mackinac Bridge. Saint Ignace is the second-oldest city founded by Europeans in Michigan and the third oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. It is inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans and is rich in history. With its pristine beaches, water filled activities, entertainment, history and annual events, St. Ignace is a great vacation destination for all.
Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa and named after the second biggest river in Africa, River Limpopo. It borders with Botswana to the West, Zimbabwe to the North and Mozambique to the East. Characterized by primeval indigenous forests, majestic mountains and unspoilt natural setting, it is an adventure seeker's haven.
South Lake Tahoe is located on the California–Nevada border, El Dorado County, California, USA.
Experience Australia’s premier wine region from a majestic hot air ballooning over Barossa Valley. The valley is located at 60 km/37 mi, about an hour's drive north east of Adelaide, South Australia.
Chicago is the seat of Cook County, Illinois, USA. It is the third most populous city in the US and the most populous city in both the American Midwest and Illinois. Nicknamed as The Second City or Windy City, Chicago is situated on the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan, in the northeastern Illinois.
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace is the connecting node between the Upper and Lower Peninsula at the northern end of the Mackinac Bridge. Saint Ignace is the second-oldest city founded by Europeans in Michigan and the third oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. It is inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans and is rich in history. With its pristine beaches, water filled activities, entertainment, history and annual events St. Ignace is a great vacation destination for all.
Lake Michigan’s basin is conjoining with that of Lake Huron to the east and having the same surface elevation, they are technically a single lake. The large size of the Lakes and the fact that they are prone to sudden and harsh storms, combined with the rocky shoals and shallows of Straits of Mackinac, increases the risk of water travel and has led hundreds of ships to their end.
Lake Michigan is the second largest Great Lake by volume and the only one located entirely in the United States. The lake’s shoreline is more than 1600 mi/2575 km and the average depth is 195 ft/59.4 m. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron have the same surface elevation and are technically a single lake. They are actually connected by the Straits of Mackinac, where many ships have foundered due to heavy storms. The Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve, located at the northern edge of Lakes Michigan and Huron, tries to preserve Michigan’s shipwrecks for next generations. One of the shipwrecks found is Colonel Ellsworth.
Saint Ignace, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is the second-oldest city founded by Europeans in Michigan and the third oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. Inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans and rich in history, it is mostly known for its ferry service to Mackinac Island and as being the home to Straits State Park. Furthermore, the Huron Boardwalk, a number of waterfront parks, the virgin beaches and the St. Ignace – Trout Lake Trail make St. Ignace a great vacation destination for all.
Grand Traverse Bay is a 51 km/ 32 mi long, 16 km/ 10 mi wide bay of Lake Michigan. The Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserves accommodates many shipwrecks. One of the wrecks located in the Grand Traverse Preserve is that of the A. J. Rogers.
Chicago is the seat of Cook County, Illinois, USA. It is the third most populous city in the US and the most populous city in both the American Midwest and Illinois. Nicknamed as The Second City or Windy City, Chicago is situated on the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan, in the northeastern Illinois.
The Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve lies at the northern tip of Lakes Michigan and Huron and tries to preserve Michigan’s shipwrecks for later generations. Over the years, a large number of ships have submerged in the Straits, many of them have yet to be discovered.
