Travel Blog by 
A giant black and white cow gracefully floated over the snowy alpine valley, followed by a red headed Scottish bagpiper in full tartan. I knew that I was in the right place when I saw the giant newspaper lift off of the ground and float away into the Alps.
I was at the Château D'Oex Winter Alpine Balloon Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland, a ten day event that draws balloonists from more than fifteen countries.
I had read about this event in the Lonely Planet and was intent on seeing it for myself. On a whim we drove to Gstaad, and found a giant valley filled with inflated, and balloons still waiting to be filled. Although we missed the actual day of eventing, we were able to see a good selection of interesting balloons, and the abundance of color was overwhelming.
Watching the limp balloons laying on the ground slowly fill with air, and take shape and then gingerly rise into the blue sky in the most bizarre shapes and sizes was captivating. It is a definite must do event for anyone who has ever found themselves lost in the romantic ideal of hot air ballooning.
Comments
Rplum says...
This looks just gorgeous. I definately think it would make a romantic trip - any idea how much it costs to go up in the cow?
Posted 517 days ago.
Charlotte says...
Sorry, I am not sure about the costs of actually getting up in the balloons. Perhaps the website has some information about it. Although, I think it is just a matter of showing up and sweet talking the owners...
Posted 517 days ago.
kath_visits says...
Wow this looks lovely...I'm from Northampton originally, which has an annual balloon festival but a balloon festival in those surroundings must be something really special...I'm quite jealous.
Posted 515 days ago.
marcus1234 says...
Nice photos, that cow balloon has to be the strangest one I've seen. Did you not get a chance to go up in a balloon? I went up in one once, and it's very strange. Very little noise except from the burner. What surprised me was how fast they go up, almost like an express elevator. Quite exhilarating, so if you get a chance to go up next time, I'd take it.
Posted 511 days ago.
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