I have probably close to 200 hours in one. At one point I was going to apply for a licence but it was just not practical at the time.
Flying in a hot air balloon is fantastic, the winter is great as there are no leaves on the trees and you can watch the foxes track the rabbits. When you are flying over dairy farms the cattle will follow the balloon till they hit the fence. People on back roads and highways will stop, get out of their cars and wave.
It is so warm that you can remove your coat and quiet, very quiet.
I am trying to contact a friend of mine I flew with for years, he owns and operates a Hot Air Balloon Company and I thought it would be a nice Christmas gift for the old girl and who ever showed up for Christmas to go for a flight on Boxing Day.
I would urge you all to try it and if you have been in one let us know what you thought about it.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug