We were intentionally left in the dark about a lot of the stuff we did in Valencia (it was definitely an amazing surprise itinerary) and so, we had no idea until we returned from watching the tango, to take us on a hot air balloon ride the very next morning!

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (1)

I can’t even begin to describe to you how excited we were! We’d both never been and had wanted to for quite some time now so we were practically bouncing off the walls in anticipation.

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (2)

The next morning, we got up very (VERY) early and made our way to Sierra De Mariola, an hour or so outside of the city centre to find our hot air balloons being prepped ready for us!

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (3)

After a quick coffee, we went to watch the guys prepare the balloons.

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (4)

Actually, if I’m being perfectly honest, that was just an excuse. 😉

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (5)

Seeing as the sun was still hiding behind the mountains, it was still quite cold and the fire being used to create the hot air was providing some much-needed warmth.

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (6)

The warmth and the caffeine boost did nothing to quell our excitement though. If anything, it exacerbated it!

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (7)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (8)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (9)

Before long, we got into our baskets and away we went!

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (10)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (11)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (12)

Rising higher and higher with each passing minute…

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (13)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (14)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (15)

… till the fields, houses and people beneath looks like tiny dots!

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (16)

Slowly, the sun started to peer out between the mountains and light up the land beneath…

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (17)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (18)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (19)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (20)

… leaving us with a rather impressive view!

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (21)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (22)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (23)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (24)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (25)

I expected to be a lot more terrified of the heights from up there in the balloon but it’s surprisingly calming and rather mesmerising!

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (26)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (27)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (28)

I’m not much of a ‘construction expert’ (interiors are more my kinda thing) but even I had many versions of a daydream as to what I could do with that little farmhouse below…

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (29)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (30)

By the time, I was be done with it, it would be the country home of all country homes” I kept reassuring myself (despite my obvious lack of skill in actually building houses…

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (31)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (32)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (33)

Minutes felt like seconds up here as we floated idyllically across the Spanish countryside…

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (34)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (35)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (36)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (37)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (38)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (39)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (40)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (41)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (42)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (43)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (44)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (45)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (46)

I also changed my mind about the country house once I saw this one. I’ll take this one instead. 😉

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (47)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (48)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (49)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (50)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (51)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (52)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (53)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (54)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (55)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (56)

Eventually, it was time to make our descent and even after we landed, I just couldn’t get over the buzz of finally taking this air balloon ride.

It turned out to be so much better than I pictures it in my head.

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (57)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (58)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (59)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (61)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (60)

We finished our morning off with a celebratory glass of champagne (or two)…

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (62)

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (63)

… just the way I like it! 🙂

Hot Air Balloon Sunrise... In Sierra De Mariola, Valencia (64)


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