Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (balloonfiesta.com) is back for the 45 th time, with this year&rsquos theme titled &lsquoDesert Kaleidoscope&rsquo. The nine-day event from October 1 to October 9, featuring more than 500 hot air balloons, is a huge tourist magnet, not only because of the picture-perfect scene that unfolds daily with hundreds of balloons going up in the sky but also because of a curious thing called the Albuquerque Box. It&rsquos a particular vertical wind pattern that allows pilots to take off and land their balloons in the same spot. It&rsquos a rare phenomenon, so the annual hunt for the Albuquerque Box is a big draw. There&rsquos much else to enjoy here, such as musical evenings, firework displays and raffles, as well as a balloon race