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.
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.
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, located on the Swan River. The climate here is classified as Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and cool and wet winters. Immerse yourself in the unique combination of stunning natural surroundings, beautiful beaches with clear waters, greenery park-lands and outstanding city architecture that attract visitors all year long.
Christchurch is situated in Canterbury region in the South Island, and is the second largest city of New Zealand. It represents the getaway to Antarctica, while lying next to Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
The beautiful city of Sedona straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region in Arizona. Sedona is a place that offers many cultural sites, recreational opportunities, impressive landscapes and that's why it attracts about 4 million visitors every year.
Teotihuacan was a pre-Colombian Mesoamerican city, located in the valley of Mexico. It is at about 50 km/31 mi in the northeast of Mexico City. This archaeological site is situated in San Juan Teotihuacán municipality in the State of México.
Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas and it is situated on the south bank of the Arkansas River. It has its name taken from the French explorer Benard de LaHarpe in 1721. It is a historic city with many museums, such as the Central High Museum, Children’s Museum and Discovery Museum. It also features awesome restaurants and exciting nightlife and offers many recreational activities to visitors.
Grand Traverse Bay, a 51 km/ 32 mi long, 16 km/ 10 mi wide bay of Lake Michigan, is divided in two by the old Mission Peninsula. It is coextensive with the Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve that contains numerous shipwrecks. One of the confirmed shipwrecks of the region is the Metropolis.
Saint Ignace, 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 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.
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.
Lake Michigan, the second largest of the Great Lakes of North America by volume and the third largest by surface area, is actually the only one located entirely within the United States. With its basin conjoining with that of Lake Huron to the east and having the same surface elevation, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are technically a single lake. The large size of the Lakes and the fact that they are prone to sudden and harsh storms increases the risk of water travel and has led hundreds of ships to their end.
Τhe Little Sturgeon River, part of the Sturgeon River, is a 12.3 mi/ 19.8 km long river that runs at the outlet of Corey Lake, north from the small town of Wolverine to empty into east of the outlet of Burt Lake. The Sturgeon River is considered to be the faster river in Cheboygan County and is known for carrying more water by volume than any river in the state of Michigan.
Lake Michigan, the second largest of the Great Lakes of North America by volume and the third largest by surface area, is actually the only one located entirely within the United States. Over the years, a large number of ships have sunk in the Straits of Mackinac, due to sudden and harsh storms. The Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve accommodates more than thirteen shipwrecks. One of them is the Minneapolis wreck.
Lake Huron is the third largest freshwater lake on Earth. Its lake shore is 3827 mi/ 6159 km long and the average depth is 195 ft/ 59.4 m. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan have the same surface elevation and are technically a single lake. The Straits of Mackinac connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Many ships have sunk in the Straits, due to storms over the past years, some of them yet to be found. The Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve tries to preserve Michigan’s shipwrecks. The preserve contains more than thirteen recognized shipwrecks. One of them is the Martin Stalker.
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes and the only one placed entirely within the United States. It has the same surface elevation as Lake Huron and it is the second largest of Great Lakes. The Straits of Mackinac join Lake Michigan with Lake Huron, sometimes called the Michigan-Huron. The Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve holds numerous shipwrecks, one of them being the Maitland.
