Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs until 14 October

© Blaine Harrington III/Alam

Floating over Albuquerque. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

We’d like to trade our usual Monday morning experience in for this one, please. Welcome to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in the US state of New Mexico. The festival runs until 14 October, with plenty of on-the-ground entertainment beyond those balloon rides that might take you east of the city, to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, seen in this photo. Many hot air balloon rides offer a champagne toast as part of the experience. That tradition may have sprung from early balloon pilots having to land in farm fields on private property. Aeronauts began carrying champagne or other drinks with them to offer to the confused and sometimes angry landowners.