A Ride in a Hot Air Balloon over Vianden Castle
A hot air balloon ride is an adventure in itself. But a flight over Vianden or the Our Nature Park is truly unique. Ballooning means disconnecting from everyday life, experiencing new perspectives, discovering a wide horizon, feeling grandeur, and practicing the art of unobstructed views.
As part of a film about photographer Raymond Clement, in the summer of 2021, we ascend into the skies near Vianden with a film crew led by director Tom Alesch and experienced balloon pilot Nico Betzen. The conditions on this summer day are fantastic.
Experienced Aeronauts Soothe
The physical requirements for such a flight are simple: one should be agile enough to climb into the basket. There are enough handles for holding on and the helpful arms of experienced montgolfière companions. Today, we will ascend to several hundred meters. Nico Betzen, a balloon pilot since 1994, is accustomed to much higher altitudes, as he later tells us about balloon flights in the Alps that reached several thousand meters. A dreamy sunny day.
We take off early in the morning from a beautiful launch site about five kilometers east of Vianden. The conditions are fantastic.
Enjoyable Meditation for the Eyes
The trees, people, even the rivers below, transform into miniatures. Serenity and grandeur prevail. Everything that photographer Raymond Clement loves for his pictures is present here. Enchanting light and silence. Hardly anyone speaks. The landscape unfolding beneath us contributes to this peaceful introspection. The flame’s crackle remains the only sound. Almost absolute silence. At some point, you forget you are in the basket with others in a confined space. It is a sensory meditation for the eyes and the soul.
As Vianden Castle comes into view, the atmosphere becomes even more serene. It is a delight to slowly approach the mighty fortress from above. Our pilot briefly hovers the hot air balloon over the castle, bringing us close to this height castle towering 310 meters above Vianden and the Our. Visitors to the castle gaze up in awe. We can see the expression on their faces.
Hardly noticeable, we ascend once again. Only the eyes are surprised. So high up already? An iridescent light, unseen from the ground, bathes the surrounding landscape in radiant wonder. The breathtaking shimmer reveals its full magic in a spectacle beyond words. At ease, we drift majestically over the Eifel before gently touching down. Nico invites those experiencing their very first balloon flight to a baptism of the air. We kneel, and he places a tuft of grass upon our heads – proof of a safe and successful landing. Then follows the baptism of fire, costing us a few singed hairs – the fire, an unmistakeable symbol of a flight well achieved. With glasses of Crémant raised, we toast to this marvellous day and to the unforgettable sensations brought by our ballooning adventure. An experience not to be missed!
Book here: tinyurl.com/ballooningNord
Text: Joscha Remus
