The biggest hot air balloon festival in Croatia saw 15 participating teams from all over Europe
What's the first thing you think of when someone mentions a rally? Cars, roads, and dust are the first few guesses that come to mind - but whatever it might be, it probably doesn't include balloons.
Well, here's a peculiar mental image to add to the list: Krapina-Zagorje Airport in Zabok hosted this year's edition of Croatia Hot Air Balloon Rally which ended on May 1, 2018. For the last five days, fifteen teams have been showing off their skills at the biggest hot air balloon festival in Croatia. The local teams were joined by balloonists arriving from Great Britain, the Netherlands, France and Slovenia.
The audience enjoyed the thrilling sights of mass take-offs, hot air balloon competitions, educational walks through balloon envelopes, and nighttime light-shows. As it often goes when Croatian festivals are in play, the entire manifestation was accompanied by an attractive music programme and a delicious gastronomic offer.
On the last day of the rally, even the Prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County Željko Kolar decided to check out how it feels to look at the world from above. He set off for the skies with Marija Petrić Mikloušić, a Croatian pro in hot air balloon flying and the first female pilot of a solar hot air balloon.
You can see some photos and a cool video of this year's manifestation here. While you're at it, have a look at the video below to see the highlights of Croatia Hot Air Balloon Rally 2017:
Source: Radio Marija Bistrica
