My picks in Family & Occasions

Even if the idea of flying far above the ground in a balloon terrifies you, this is a trip you simply must experience at least once. Safety is always a priority with this Swedish/English team, Lars and Kaili, who have 24 years of flying experience. Anyway, the views are so spectacular that after a few minutes you will have forgotten your fear and you'll be having a fabulous time, taking off just as the pink of twilight appears, soaring over historical churches, castles and dramatic landscapes. Then you'll dip down into the Cappadocian valleys, just low enough to pick a couple of fresh apricots before ascending back into the open skies. Simply stunning.

Starts at €230 per flight.

Food and wine aren't the only items on Napa Valley's menu of activities. If the wind is favorable, an early morning hot-air balloon flight is a delightful way to see the rolling vineyards. Up & Away, run by husband-and-wife team Mike and Patty Kijak, offers hour-long flights that soar and descend over the most beautiful parts of the valley (and may include a "splash and dash" touchdown in a lake or pond) followed by a gourmet champagne brunch at the pretty Kendall-Jackson Winery. It's a personal and intimate experience, ideal for a romantic treat or to celebrate a special occasion.

From $250 per passenger.

A balloon safari is one of life's great experiences. Seeing the Serengeti from the air gives you a whole new appreciation of its majesty and diversity and Serengeti Balloon Safaris are the people to go with if you want a flight you'll never forget. They've been going up, up and away every day since 1989 and now have three balloons and three pilots. The flights start at dawn, so you go up as the sun rises and you might see lions, cheetahs, leopards and, if you happen to be there at the right time of year, the incredible wildebeest migration, when over a million wildebeest gallop across the plains, heading for the cooler woodland where they will spend the summer months. This unforgettable ballooning experience ends in style with an alfresco champagne breakfast—bacon, eggs, freshly-baked bread and tropical fruit under the African sky. What more could you ask for?

Balloon safari from $479.

HOT AIR Balloon Rides will point you in the direction of the best balloon rides that Queensland has to offer. They operate flights from Cairns, Port Douglas and the Gold Coast, so there is a range of different landscapes to fly over, from white sandy beaches to the rainforest. The outfitter also offers specially themed outings, with balloon rides combined with other activities to help you get the most out of your trip. If you're feeling really brave, why not follow your early morning balloon ride over the tropical Atherton Tablelands with a tandem skydive and then head down to the Barron River for an afternoon of white water rafting. If that sounds like too much hair-raising activity for you, however, you might prefer the Luxury Hot Air Balloon Ride—you'll be taken to the balloon in a limousine and once you've touched down again, you'll be whisked away to enjoy a three-course gourmet breakfast on the beach.

From $150 per passenger.

Fall foliage in Vermont is famously beautiful, but few people have seen it from above. Above Reality offer flights throughout the year, and the scenery will be wonderful whenever you choose to go—the balloons fly over the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain—but the “Vermont Foliage Flight," which is available in October, is not to be missed. Enjoy the vibrant colors below you and then, once you're back on terra firma, you'll get a chance to try some local apple cider and cheddar cheese. Above Reality also have Gift “Soar”-tificates that you can buy as an unforgettable gift for the person who has everything.

From $265 per passenger.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, not far from Cuzco, is deep in the Andes, so getting there on foot is quite a challenge. Luckily, Inka's Empire Tours are on hand to help you enjoy the spectacular scenery even if hiking in the mountains isn't your thing. They will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the balloon in time for a 7 a.m. lift-off and the flight lasts for about an hour. Afterwards, you will be treated to a traditional Quechua ceremony to welcome you to the Andes and then you will be driven to a nearby town to have breakfast in a restaurant, before heading back to your hotel to continue your day.

Flight from $460.

Balloon Aloft have branches in Sydney, Hunter Valley, Canberra and the Gold Coast, and they've been flying balloons for 27 years, so you'll definitely be in dependable hands with them. Each of their locations offers a very different experience—from the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast to the iconic majesty of Sydney Harbor—but wherever you are, you will certainly have plenty of impressive views and a fabulous time. Complimentary champagne or orange juice is offered on all flights, and breakfast is included if you choose the Gold Coast trip (although you can request in advance for breakfast on any of the flights).

Prices vary by location and package, starting weekend price from $258 per adult passenger.

Bill Harrop sends up balloons every day from just outside Johannesburg, so it's a great way to experience some of the incredible South African countryside, even if you are on more of a city break than a safari adventure. The flight lasts for an hour and is followed by a “farm-style champagne breakfast”, and you can fly over river valleys, game reserves and much more. Bill and Mary Harrop have been in the business since 1981, so they definitely know their stuff. They claim that they once had a 91-year-old passenger so this is clearly a trip that can be enjoyed by all the family!

From $278 per passenger.

France Montgolfières operates a huge network of balloon trips all over France, flying 6,500 passengers every year from a dazzling array of locations, among them Champagne and Provence. Unusually, they offer flights at sunset, as well as sunrise, so if you're not so keen on 5 a.m. starts, you can still enjoy the landscape at more appealing time. Flights are only offered between April and October, when the wind conditions are most favorable.

Starts at €185 per flight.

Rather than operating balloon trips themselves, Balloons Over Britain will arrange a flight for you with one of its many vetted member companies, from Wales to Scotland. Britain from the sky has plenty to offer and, with Balloons Over Britain, you will get a chance to see many of its best features, such as the mountains and lakes of the Lake District and the excitement of Central London. At the end of the flight, there will be a champagne toast and a presentation of a commemorative certificate to round off what is sure to be a memorable experience!

Flight vouchers from £119 per passenger.

The Associazione Aerostatica Toscana is based just 12 miles south of Florence, in the Chianti region of the Tuscan countryside which, with its rolling hills and brilliant green fields, lends itself perfectly to ballooning. It's not just the scenery which you will get a chance to appreciate on this trip—after the balloon lands you will be treated to a champagne breakfast with food picked freshly from the surrounding area. And, if you feel inspired by your flight, why not learn to be a balloon pilot at their on-site ballooning school?

From €220 per passenger.

Flying above the Swiss Alps is truly one of the most dramatic balloon trips one could take—topping those peaks really makes you feel, well, small! As with most balloon trips, the most optimum time in terms of weather and wind to take off from Gstaad is right after sunrise, so be prepared to have some champagne for breakfast! The ride last a minimum of a little over an hour,and are offered from April to October and then from December to March. Flying when there is snow on the mountains is truly spectacular, but be sure to dress warmly.

From $338 per passenger.

No visit to the Colorado Rockies is truly complete until you've seen the magnificent mountain range from above, before winter sets and drapes the Aspens and pine trees in snow. Call the folks at Colorado Hot Air Balloon Rides, which operates trips from South Park Valley in the Central Rockies, close enough to service Aspen, Vail, Denver, Boulder and several other central Colorado areas. As you soar above the mountains, you'll be accompanied by in-flight classical music. Upon touch-down you'll have the traditional champagne toast followed by a sit-down breakfast, and a photo will be taken for you to keep as a souvenir. The flight season generally operates from May through September and they are closed during the winter.

From $225 per passenger.