Waking up in the night to jump into a wicker basket lifted by a balloon into the Alentejo sky is an extraordinary experience as the first rays of the sun light up the plain: miles and miles of terrain, as far as the eye can see, are filled with brushstrokes of colour.

It was in the Alentejo that ballooning began in this country: it was chosen as the most suitable region due to the vast plains that are suitable for take off and landing.

Far from being an extreme sport, ballooning is possibly the safest way to fly. During the flight you have a feeling of total peace, combinedl with an element of adventure: there is no defined route up there, so you are at the mercy of the wind.

And the seconds before landing are enough to speed up the heartbeat of even the most fearless flyer. You can spice up the experience even more though: on a captive flight, with the help of a pulley, you can slide down the cable that ties the balloon to the ground. After a relaxing ride, this'll get the adrenaline flowing again.

The only equipment you need is a bit of courage and a real desire to fly. But you'd better not forget your camera, because once you're up in the air you will want to keep this picture of the Alentejo forever.