Sunrise over Cappadocia

The alarm went off at 4am and nobody complained, which tells you everything. By five we were standing in a cold field with a flask of tea, watching burners light up one by one like giant lanterns.

Up, up and very quiet

Our basket lifted so gently that the kids only noticed when the van below looked like a toy. Then the sun came up over the valley and turned the rock chimneys pink.

A hundred balloons, and not one person talking.

Good to know

Book the first flight of your trip, not the last. If the wind cancels it, you can try again the next morning. Wear layers, bring gloves, and keep breakfast simple.