Before Charles Schultz created blimps, early balloon rides were attempted by tying deers to a large wicker basket and hoping they would achieve flight by calling them Prancer, Vixen, and Wolf Blitzen. Achieve a more successful form of aeronautical travel with today's Groupon: for $159, you get a hot-air balloon ride, good for one person, over Philadelphia and the surrounding countryside with U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team. Balloon flights depart from locations in Bird in Hand and Pottstown.

Since 1987, the aerial specialists at U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team have used hot-air balloons to whisk passengers away on a safe and enjoyable journey that serenely floats over historic farms, villages, and forests. With this deal, you get a ride on one of the U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team's flights, including journeys over the Amish country of Lancaster County and the vineyards of Brandywine Wyeth County (Bucks County flight is not included). Lofty travels begin at the launch site where voracious voyagers can assist with the inflation of their balloons, each of which has been maintained and inspected for optimal performance in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Once aloft, airborne adventurers could spot views such as the Philadelphia skyline, the rolling countryside, and friendly winged-Siberian tigers from a bird's-eye perspective. An FAA-certified pilot will guide the balloon in an effortless drift at the same speed as the surrounding air, eliminating risks of motion sickness and any wind-chill factor. Passengers enjoy a champagne toast and refreshments after their one-hour skyway sojourn, and picture-taking enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their cameras along for snapping brag-worthy photos.

A typical flight lasts around an hour, and includes 4–10 people, though U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team does offer private, couples-only flights for romantic occasions and epic duels to the death for swashbuckling sky-pirates. Flights are offered year-round, with rides launching at sunrise, or for those who sleep late, at the end of the day before sunset.

Reviews

While there aren't yet many online reviews for U.S. Hot Air Balloon Team, they provide testimonials on their website:

• Truly magical, marvelous time, brilliant, a truly splendid experience. – Jacqueline B.
• There's something incredibly adventurous about having the course of your travels charted by the wind as you skim above trees and rooftops as if in a dream. – Judith K.