PALM DESERT. Coachella Valley is a beautiful, peaceful sight from the air, and the picturesque landscape as seen from above consists of vineyards, polo fields, golf courses, and orchards. Perks of each trip include an in-flight champagne toast and complimentary shuttle service from major desert resorts. Host Clotaire Castanier has been flying balloons professionally since 1967.

PALM SPRINGS. For the adventurous at heart, these tours feature large, nine-passenger Jeeps that climb high among the rugged back country to showcase Indian Canyon, Wind Turbine, Joshua Tree Monument, and beautiful desert scenery with springs, waterfalls, palm groves, and ancient trails.

This knowledgeable company regales visitors with all sorts of facts about Palm Springs and its famous residents, past and present. It offers a number of tours to fit different schedules and interests. Tour A, for example, is a fully narrated 1½-hour excursion that visits 30-40 homes of movie stars and celebrities and provides a history of Palm Springs and its Indian heritage. Tour B adds even more to these basics and lasts about 2½ hours. A 3½-hour Grand Valley tour and day trips to regional locales can also be booked.