Exploring the Serengeti bush is something we typically associate with being on foot, but the perspective from the sky shouldn’t be ignored. Tanzania’s Four Seasons Serengeti offers sky-high tours of the great plains and wildlife spotting destinations.

Holy sites and Buddhist monuments dot the skyline of Myanmar’s ancient city of Bagan, making this destination extra special for a hot air balloon trip with Balloons Over Bagan. While Myanmar is undoubtedly a gorgeous place to go ballooning, there is a great deal of debate over safely and ethically traveling there. The people of Myanmar are facing ongoing persecution and violence. Recently, many experts, including Justin Francis,the CEO of Responsible Travel, have come out saying that avoiding the area would hurt the locals more than anything. Francis writes “If we can continue to benefit local communities and help keep Burma visible to the international community through tourism, then we’ll continue to sell holidays there.” Read about traveling to Myanmar here →

These hot air balloons in the desert are not a mirage. In fact, Dubai is surrounded by desert landscape that’s easiest to explore via hot air balloon. Our pick: Hot Air Balloon Ride Dubai

Cappadocia is kind of known for being the “it” destination for hot air ballooning. Why? Because the setting is so magnificent. You’ll be floating above an ancient city that’s made of a soft volcanic rock, so you’re bound to see lots of pinnacles, cones, pillars and more amazing geologic formations that are best seen from above. Our pick: Hot Air Balloon Cappadocia

Launch just outside Mexico City to sightsee your way through the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Private flights are an option with Volare, just in case you’re planning something special.

Most people who’ve been to India will tell you it’s a trip of a lifetime, so it only makes sense to complement such a journey with a hot air balloon adventure with Sky Waltz. Explore the heritage city of Jaipur and you’ll be able to see the Pink City and its surrounds in all their glory.

Fly over Phoenix’s Sonoran Desert with Float Balloon Tours and you’ll see acres upon acres of stunning sites, cacti included. And hey, if you fancy yourself a photographer, these guys do some great photography workshops from up above.

Enjoy the Swiss Alps from the vantage point of cloud-level with an Alpine tour of Grand-Combin, Matterhorn and the Jura. The hot air balloons that take off from Château-d’Oex operate year-round.

Get a fresh perspective of Tahoe with a hot air balloon trip with Lake Tahoe Balloons. Views of the Sierras, the forests, the lakes, Emerald Bay, and Yosemite (on a clear day) make this spot epic for going all the way up. 

Urbanites can enjoy early mornings floating over Melbourne’s CBD or the winemaking region of the Yarra Valley with Global Ballooning. What will it be: Pastures and paddocks or skyscrapers and city views?

Napa Valley’s impressive vineyards and hills are even more amazing when viewed from above. Napa Valley Aloft offers tours of Napa Valley, Pope Valley or the Vaca Mountain range near Putah Creek. Be sure you opt for a local sparkling wine to be served in-flight.

Planning a trip to San Diego? Or perhaps, a proposal? Check out Compass Balloons when you’re looking to put a ring on it, or simply go for a ride along the Pacific coastline.