It's a dream of mine to go up in a hot air balloon someday, but something tells me my first trip will probably not be via the "Krug is in the Air" program. Krug has come up with a new way to attract luxury consumers by offering the world's most expensive balloon rides, available in locations all over the world for a price tag of €50,000 for a group of up to 8 people. Besides the obvious trip up in a luxury balloon (gleaming hardware, basket lined with premium white leather) you also get gourmet dining complete with champagne and butler service while you're in the air.

Sigh. Sounds dreamy.

The Lodge at Turning Stone Resort is unveiling several new getaway packages that cater to the outdoor enthusiast. Whatever your fancy, whether by air, by sea, or by land, you can experience the same elegance and service Turning Stone is known for -- but with a dash of adventure. From golf and horseback riding (lessons included) to river fishing and hot air ballooning, you may not be able to choose just one. You may even want to opt for a spa package instead and spend a few days being pampered at the Skana Spa.

Put me down for one of each, please.

A friend of mine has a fear of blimps, she cowers whenever she sees one floating low through the city. She's going to be miserable if personal blimps like the one shown above ever catch on. A company called Skyacht Aircraft has come up with personal blimps which will eventually be able to be bought for under $200,000.

The Personal Blimp uses hot air rather than helium so it is basically a hot air balloon that can be more easily steered. It can also easily deflated and stored. The prototype, the Airship Alberto, made its first flight on October 27, 2006. Since that first flight in October, the Alberto has completed the FAA's required 10 hours of Phase I flight testing. It may still be another two years before these are ready for public sale and the blimps will require some sort of pilot's license in order to fly, depending on what the FAA decides.

The website also features a strangely hypnotic video of the blimp in flight.

[via Gizmag]

There are tons of places you can take Dad to play golf on Father's Day but not to many of those places offer both golf and balloon races. The Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena, Illinois hosts an annual hot air balloon race to raise money for juvenile diabetes research. The weekend includes a Night Glow Extravaganza of balloons launched at night as well as three hot air balloon races on Saturday and Sunday morning and Saturday evening. There is also an Ale Fest. with more than 50 local breweries and specialty beer distributors serving local micro-brews. On Sunday, Father's Day, the resort will host a nine-hole Father/Son/Daughter Golf Outing followed by a buffet lunch. Balloon rides are $165 and rates at the resort start at $169 per night on weekends.