Ascend into a Heavenly Winter Fairy Tale in a Hot Air Balloon

Even though hot air balloons typically take to the sky when it’s warm out, in Vilnius – which could be a candidate for Europe’s hot air balloon capital – they fly in winter as well. This occurs less frequently, but that just makes it all the more impressive. 

You’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale while soaring through the sky in a hot air balloon and experiencing untold impressions. 

Once the gusty winds calm down a bit, the low clouds disperse, a light freeze sets in, the skies become clear – that’s when a winter hot air balloon ride shows its true colours! During the holidays, you’ll see the Old Town decorations as if they’re in the palm of your hand and you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the Christmas tree and people rushing about.

And don’t worry – you won’t freeze! After all, these are hot air balloons.

You’ll soar lightly, so you won’t have to endure harsh winds, and the gas burners will keep your face nice and warm, so all you need is a good pair of boots to keep your feet from getting cold. And even though the higher you go, the cooler it gets, hot air balloons usually only fly a few hundred metres above ground level, so you probably won’t feel much of a temperature difference.

Take a good look around and you might see something unusual – snow falling from the bottom up.

How? Once they become detached from the cloud, light little snowflakes float in the air for a long time until they finally reach the earth. However, a hot air balloon can descend much faster. So if it begins to snow while you’re up in the air and the pilot decides to land, you’re in for an impressive sight and a feeling of indescribable lightness.