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From Away.com

Full of Hot Air: Great Ballooning Adventures
Sweden: Night Flights and City Lights

By Paul McMenamin

Intro/ France | Sweden | Austria | Switzerland | Africa | Australia | Colorado | New Mexico

Stockholm becomes a fantasy destination for balloonists each summer, when they get to enjoy romantic sunset aerial cruises over the city. Stockholm's far northern latitude makes the summer days very long, extending twilight and allowing safe and spectacular night flying. With predictable summer air conditions and over twenty good landing sites in the city's environs, sunset ballooning is not only possible here—it is the custom. Ninety percent of the commercial balloon flights lift off at dusk. The evening light combines with the unique pleasure of gliding over the shimmering lights of the capital make this a balloon vacation to remember.

Visitors to Stockholm are often amazed at the parade of hot air balloons in the evening sky. On a summer weekend, it is not unusual to see 25 colorful envelopes cruising over the Stockholm archipelago and the city's skyline at day's end. Of Stockholm's many quality balloon operations, the best are Scandinavian Balloons (01146.8556.40465. http://balloons-sweden.se/) and Upp and Nerr Balloons (01146.8695.0100. www.uppner.se) Both companies have able, English-speaking pilots. Upp and Nerr boasts one of Europe's most modern balloon fleets. These organizations have carried passengers over the Swedish capital for two decades. A sunset flight of one hour costs around $160.

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Paul McMenamin is the author, editor, and photo director of the original Ultimate Adventure Sourcebook.