FILZMOOS, AUSTRIA
A certain magic fills the air when a hot-air balloon drifts into view across the skies. When the backdrop is the snow-clad Alps, the magic is dialled up to Harry Potter levels. Each January, the village of Filzmoos holds the International Balloon Festival, which sees more than 40 teams from around the world descend on the otherwise quiet ski resort for a week of balloon contests.
PHOTOGRAPHS: HELENE BINET, MIKE BLANCHARD/SHUTTERSTOCK, TOPSELLER/SHUTTERSTOCK, ANNA WATSON/GETTY