Reasons To Go To Hot Air Balloon Rally

Written by Arijana Tkalčec

Believe it or not, but the Croatia Hot Air Balloon Rally is a real thing! Every year, Balloon Club Zagreb organizes a Balloon Rally in the beautiful hilly Zagorje. It's basically a unique festival dedicated to all balloon lovers who have the opportunity to watch or take part in exciting balloon flights over Zagorje. 15 teams from the whole of Europe and sometimes even from the US show off their skills and make the sky prettier.

In case you're not anywhere near Croatia at the end of April when this event is held, I still suggest you search for any hot air balloon events near you, as they are usually pretty similar, only in different locations. But I believe they are as much fun and you won't regret visiting them.

Sky filled with balloons.

Few words about balloons

The hot air balloon is the first successful human-carrying flight technology. The activity of flying a hot air balloon is called hot air ballooning and is quite popular in the world. The first balloon flight in history happened in 1783 in Paris, France. Hot air balloons are actually the safest aircraft that exist, but of course, you have to know what you are doing. They are often called „the gentle giants“ which describes them perfectly.

How do they fly? Their name actually says it all. They float in the air thanks to the hot air – the air trapped inside the balloon is heated up by a burner, making it less dense than the air outside.

Morning flights preparations.

Why should you go to Croatia Hot Air Balloon Rally?

I'm going to give you a few reasons why you should visit this amazing event. So make sure that you're in Croatia at the end of April-beginning of May so you don't miss it. ;)

1. Stunning scene.

First of all, the main reason to visit is, of course, the stunning scenery you'll see above the hills of magical Zagorje. Especially if you come to see the morning flight. Then it really is magical with that first sunlight and a little bit of fog – priceless. But if you can't come that early, don't worry, afternoon flights are just as beautiful and in the afternoon there are also interesting activities organized, both for kids and adults.

Mesmerizing scene over hilly Zagorje County.

2. The beautiful event made for everyone

This event is great for everyone, whether you're young, old, a family with kids, couple, male or female, it doesn't matter. Everyone can enjoy a beautiful sight and it's also an opportunity to have a great time with your friends or family. The event is, of course, organized out in nature, in the fresh air. There is a playground for the youngest, music program and everyone can enjoy a drink or refresh themselves with ice cream.

TIP: Bring a blanket! ;)

The crowd at balloon rally patiently waiting for balloons to go up.

3. Kids will definitely enjoy

As I mentioned before, this event can be really fun for the kids. Not only that they can see a lot of balloons flying in the sky, but they can also try being pilots themselves.

Kids can be pilots themselves.

They can go in the balloon basket and have the opportunity to press a handle on the burner that directs the flame and is used for the hot air balloon to fly. The pilot is with them in the basket the whole time so it's perfectly safe. :)

Kids learning how balloons fly.

As part of the program, if the weather is good, it is organized for visitors to go inside of the basket and pilots get them up few meters from the ground while the balloon is tightened for the ground with a rope. That way they can even experience a little bit of a flight. Or if you prepare on time, you can even do a real flight.

If you prepare on time, you can even fly or at least try to go up in the tethering flight.

Kids can also compete in throwing the marker (it's usually sand in the little bag) to the target (that huge X thing that you might have seen lying on the ground during hot air balloon competitions). And then they are like real competitors in balloon competitions. Except they throw it from the ground and not air. But it's still fun and they can even win some cute prizes.

4. You learn something new.

The cool thing is that you can also go inside the hot air balloon. There, the crew will explain to you everything you need to know about hot air balloons.

People inside balloon learning more about hot air balloons.

You can also ask anything you want to know about balloons and they will happily answer all your questions. And also, before every massive flight, you'll hear a few informative words about what's going on at the moment.

5. Experience the night glow by these gentle giants

At the end of the event, you'll be able to experience the magical night glow. Imagine this: few balloons lined up on the field, it's night and balloons alternately glowing. It's definitely something worth seeing and there are no words that will describe this perfectly so you better come next time so you don't have to imagine it.

Nightglow.

6. Instagram worthy

And one more reason to visit: it's definitely Instagram worthy. And we know how lately this reason is important for everything we do. This is your opportunity to make that perfect photo with all those hot air balloons up in the air. Just choose a perfect light, perfect angle and voila! :)

This is a perfect opportunity to take that Instagramable photo.

Bonus: If you need a place to stay while you're visiting this event, we recommend you stay at Stara Škola. That's actually a place where we and all the balloonists stayed. That way you're actually always the first ones there since the event is mostly held at back meadow behind Stara Škola and the airport that is just 10 minutes away.

Getting the balloons ready. Now imagine this scene on an even bigger balloon event. :)