THE SUN RISES ever so surreptitiously as the air begins to warm. Perfection permeates the sky above, which is where you’ll be shortly. As the wind carries you higher and higher, you feel a nervous excitement in the pit of your stomach. You’re not sure if it’s height-induced or a byproduct of your sweetheart’s company in the cozy basket of the hot air balloon.

Either way, the anxiety is not what you’ll remember most after you land. The image that will linger is the one of sweet surprise that spread across your date’s face when she first saw the balloon. She’ll carry with her the feeling of your favorite sweater on her cheek as she snuggled in close, sipping mimosas and taking in the view.

Summer is upon us, and with it comes a plethora of date options that winter forced into hibernation. Yes, everything from picnics to tandem bike rides are back on the table. You can even hail a horse for a gentlemen’s cab ride at a bearable temperature. But why not try something a bit more unique?

Hot air ballooning is a date that offers the best of both worlds. Not only is it adventurous and a wonderful sight-seeing opportunity at about 2,000 feet in the air, it’s also private, offering a less crowded experience than a park or bike trail. You and your lovely are accompanied by nothing more than a pilot and the changing winds.

Below, a couple of reputable balloon pilots break down all the essentials.

Choose a full-time pilot if possible. Ask for qualifications in regards to how many years he or she has been flying and how many flights they have made.

There are several companies with websites with bogus testimonials and calendar photos that offer cheap certificates in various locations. If you call the number and the person answering the phone is not the owner/pilot or even in the city near you, consider contacting a local company.

Taking a balloon ride is an experience in and of itself, but it’s certainly better with something interesting to look at.  “If you take only one flight in your life, do it in an interesting place,” Balloons Over Letchworth pilot Sean Quigley advises. Try to pick a locale with diverse terrain and vistas.

Greg Livadas, chief pilot for High Hopes Balloon Co., suggests booking a flight “during a balloon festival, so you’d be flying with many other balloons. It’s great for photos.”

 If you live in a seasonal climate, this date’ll really only fly (see what we did there?) during the months of May through October. Head up during sunrise or sunset with subdued winds for truly breathtaking skyward views.