Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

When you see the Earth from above, you realise how little and almost insignificant we all are.
I was lucky enough to be part of the media team at the Bristol Balloon Festival this week and it was such a unforgettable experience. Like a child on Christmas’ eve I was looking in amazement at all these colourful hot-air balloons being prepared and taking off and flying far, far away. I was waiting and hoping to jump on one for a flight above the city of Bristol and I did so at dawn of my last day there and I swear it was one of the best things I have ever done in my life.
Today is the last day so I highly recommend you to go, now! You don’t want to wait until next year!
Enjoy !

You might be thinking, but why this Festival? And why in Bristol? Well, everything started in the early 1960’s when a young aeronautical engineer, Don Cameron moved to Bristol to join the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Don and other members of the Bristol Gliding Club produced the first modern hot-air balloon in Western Europe in 1967. After spending a few years building balloons as a hobby, Don decided to quit is job to found his own firm, Cameron Balloons Ltd. In 1979, after a few exciting flights across deserts and ocean, the first Bristol International Balloon Fiesta was held at its current site in Ashton Court. There were 27 balloons that weekend, and now the Fiesta, at its 37th Anniversary attracts over 100 hot air balloons, half a million visitors and it’s surely an iconic event for the city of Bristol as well as Europe’s largest ballooning event. It’s a spectacular (and free!) weekend for kids and grown-ups.

*A separate micro-guide of a weekend in Bristol & Bath will be up very soon.

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