• Check whether children are allowed to fly. Sometimes children as young as 5 years can fly. Sometimes the minimum age is 12 years.

• Also check whether health restrictions apply. Please inform the operating company of any knee, leg, hip or back problems. They will also need to know about any recent medical treatments, pregnancy, frailty or any physical condition which may affect your safety during flight.

• Also check the number of passengers allowed. Balloon operators can carry from two to 10 passengers at a time, depending on balloon size

• Dress warmly and casually. Pants, sturdy flat shoes and layers of shirt, sweater, jacket, for example are ideal. Generally it gets colder by about 3.5 degrees colder for each 1,000 feet of altitude. Balloons fly from just about tree level height to about 3,000

• Carry cameras and lots of film

• Have a suitable soft case with you in which to stow the camera during the landing

• Initially some people are worried about heights. Let the pilot know before the flight, and they will stay low until you are comfortable. Sometimes passengers aren't even aware they have left the ground. As the balloon is moving with the wind, there is no turbulence so that you could not possibly fall out of the basket. The ride is so smooth that you hardly feel the slightest breeze.

• Be prepared for the flight to be postponed if weather conditions are not ideal.

• Be prepared for the fact that there are no toilet facilities aboard!

• There is a strict non-smoking rule.

• Allow about 3 hours generally for your adventure.