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I
count my Cappadocia hot-air
balloon flight
as one
of life's great thrills.
Here's
how a normal flight goes:
The
crew picks you up at your hotel before
dawn and drives you to the takeoff
site. After a chilly dawn launch
you float silently above the
Cappadocian moonscape dotted with
villages, vineyards and fruit orchards
for about an hour, coming down in
a farmer's field.
The
crew retrieves you and the aircraft,
then breaks out the bubbly for a
traditional champagne toast to
a successful aeronautical adventure. This
photo gallery has more
info.
The
best flying weather is from April through October when
the skies are clear and the winds
light at dawn, but some
companies fly
in winter as well on days with favorable
weather for flying.
(At least half the days in a winter month will be good for flying, but they may not be spaced evenly: there may be 10 good days in a row, then 5 bad ones, or good and bad may come in 2's and 3's. The least suitable weather—when your flight is most likely to be cancelled—is in January and February.)
Above, 40 hot-air balloons float over Cappadocia.
Some days it's more than twice as crowded!
Here are tips for a successful Cappadocian
hot-air balloon experience:
1.
Read these tips on hot-air
balloon safety.
2.
Choose a company. Here
are some tips on how to do it. More...
3. Reserve
your place(s) in the balloon
basket several days in advance
if you can. It's best to schedule
your flight for the morning after
your first night in Cappadocia.
If unsuitable weather prevents the
balloons from flying on that first
morning,
you'll
have a back-up possibility on your
second or later morning.
4. If your balloon company cancels your flight because of unsafe conditions, don't be upset—thank them! Other companies may be flying (so they don't lose money) but those other companies do not put the safety of their passengers first. They are putting profit before people.
A
balloon ascent is not cheap, but
it's little enough to pay for a truly unforgettable
experience in your life. And
when it comes to price, you must
realize that not all balloon
flights are the same. Here's what makes a good hot-air balloon flight.
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