The nylon globe of your balloon is just a silhouette against the early morning sunrise breaking over California's wine country.

Light and sounds are muted except for the murmur of passengers and pilot, the subdued whoosh of the propane burner. You climb into the gondola, the chase crew slips the mooring lines and you climb slowly as the sky lightens.

Breezes are gentle at this early hour. The only sound for a few breathless moments is the pilot using the burner to adjust altitude. The view of Napa Valley becomes more majestic as you climb to a view more than 1,000 feet high, made almost surreal by the absence of sound intruding on the dreamlike panorama expanding below.

California offers some of the best ballooning sites on the planet.

But you may have heard about balloons rising in the open skies of New Mexico -- a state that claims the mantle of Mecca for the hot-air set. For nine days in October, the New Mexico skies are painted as hundreds of balloons lift off from Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta Park for the Kodak International Balloon Fiesta -- the world's largest balloon festival.

Whether you're a hot-air fanatic or want to soar for the first time, there are plenty of places to take a ride. Following are a few guides who can give you a high-quality ride up high. All the outfits we contacted are FAA certified, and nearly all the outfits have champagne set aside to help you celebrate after touchdown. Keep in mind, it's an expensive pastime; you could end up spending $400 for a couple of hours aloft. And consider your children's size, age and comfort with heights before taking them aloft.

California

Adventures Aloft, Yountville -- Adventures Aloft is the oldest balloon outfit in Napa Valley. Their passenger maximum is eight. The per-passenger rate of $185 includes shuttle service from Napa Valley hotels or motels, pre-flight pastries and a post-flight sit-down breakfast. (800) 944-4408

Mammoth Balloon Adventures, Bishop -- You can get a spectacular preview of the ski slopes by hitching a ride on a Mammoth Adventure balloon. The outfit provides half-hour, 60- and 90-minute rides that sail over the Mammoth Lakes, the Crowley Lake Basin and the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Discounts off the $165-per-person rates are available for families, children and groups. (760) 937-UPUP

California Dreamin', San Diego -- This outfit offers some attractively priced packages. California Dreamin' can deliver a sunrise coastal flight for $120, if you take off on a weekday. They'll even attach a "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Anniversary" banner to your basket to celebrate the occasion. (760) 438-3344

Arizona

Red Rock Balloon Adventures, Sedona -- The fabled Red Rock country is the panorama that unfolds before you when you fly with this outfit. The $155 flight fee includes a video of your experience. You can make reservations at several Sedona area motels or call (800) 258-3754.

Unicorn Balloon Co., Scottsdale -- You've never really seen the Valley of the Sun until you glimpse it from nearly a half-mile up. Unicorn Balloon Co. offers morning rides in close-to-perfect conditions in Aerostar balloons. The company is skippered by a licensed FAA instructor examiner, so you'll be about as safe as you can be. Unicorn also offers weddings aloft for those craving a unique matrimonial experience. (800) HOTAIR-8

New Mexico

Affordable Balloon Rides of New Mexico, Belen -- Get a breathtaking perspective of Albuquerque, the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains during one of Affordable's pre-dawn rides. You'll be able to glimpse the lights still glimmering as the city comes to life.

Pueblo Balloon Co., Taos -- The folks at Pueblo Balloon Co. have coffee and pastries to take away the morning chill, before your ascent over the Rio Grande Gorge. Passenger limits are four to a balloon. Tours operate June through October. (505) 751-9877

Colorado

Fair Winds Hot Air Balloon Flights, Boulder -- For Rocky Mountain views that take your breath away, you can't beat a flight from Fair Winds. This Boulder-based outfit is offering a fall season special of $30 off the standard $200 rate through mid-November. A deluxe continental breakfast is included. Takeoff times from the Gunbarrel area east of Boulder vary with seasons and weather conditions, so call ahead for exact rendezvous times. (303) 939-9323

Oregon

Vista Balloon Adventures, Sherwood -- One of the best ways to tour Oregon?s wine country is inside a basket piloted by this Willamette Valley outfit. The rolling orchards of Yamhill County unfold before you as you cruise along. You can even help inflate the balloon that you're about to fly (carefully supervised, of course). Flights take off from April through October. (800) 622-2309