'Most relaxed' hot air balloons lay back over Italy's wine valley
Hot air balloons fly during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
GUALDO CATTANEO, Italy (Reuters) - Around 30 hot air balloons took to the skies in Italy on Saturday as part of what organizers refer to as the "most relaxed" event on the international ballooning calendar.
The colorful balloons lifted off at sunrise and rose above the Sagrantino wine valley in Italy's central Umbria region.
"It's a lovely way of seeing the world," said Robin Mercer, a balloonist from Northern Ireland. "It's not like being in an aeroplane or a helicopter. You can look 360 degrees ... it is something really, really special."
Crew prepare their hot air balloon before flying during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
Since July 21, enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond have been competing in the third edition of the Sagrantino Italian International Balloon Challenge Cup, an event for which organizers limit the number of participants to keep it laidback and a "ballooning vacation" for those that take part.
The 10-day event, that includes a rich program of events at which participants get to sample local food and wine, ends on Sunday, when the silver cup will be awarded to the winning team.
"You can go as low as the top of the trees or as high as the clouds and you have no idea where you are going to land," said balloonist Andrew Laing from Scotland. "It's a magical mystery tour."
Hot air balloons fly during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
(Reporting by Antonio Denti, writing by Agnieszka Flak)
Hot air balloons fly during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiHot air balloons fly during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiA hot air balloon flies during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiA hot air balloon flies during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiWomen tow their hot air balloon during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiA hot air balloon flies during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiHot air balloons fly during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiA man walks next to his hot air balloon before participating in a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiA man prepares his hot air balloon before flying during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiHot air balloons fly during a hot air ballooning event in Todi, Italy, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
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