James Bond, the most famous British spy, has travelled extensively throughout Europe. His cases have taken him all over Europe. If you want to travel in luxury but avoid solving huge mysteries and fighting villains, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover the most picturesque locations that have graced the silver screen in the Bond franchise.
1. Lake Como, Italy
Italy has been one of the locations that Bond has frequented throughout the years, first in the movie, named ironically, From Russia With Love. Still, Italy, and specifically Lake Como, shone in Daniel Craig’s film Casino Royale. You can visit the beautiful Villa del Balbianello, with its beautiful gardens overlooking the lake, and Villa La Gaeta, which serves as the film’s main backdrop.
Of course, these aren’t the only things to look forward to when visiting Lake Como; there are also the nearby villages of Bellagio, Varenna, and Tremezzina, which were not featured in the film but are well worth a visit.
2. Montenegro
Casino Royale, is one of the most popular Bond films, so why not make it two stops on your Bond-inspired vacation? So, contrary to popular belief, the legendary Bond versus Le Chiffre gambling scene does not take place at Casino de Monte Carlo, one of the world’s most renowned casinos, where one can enjoy all the latest slots games as well as traditional tables in complete luxury and opulence.
Listen to this conundrum: this scene was shot at the Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The real Casino Royale can still be found in Montenegro, which is known for its beaches and mountains.
3. London, England
It would be foolish to talk about Bond without mentioning London at least once. The city is tied to Bond’s bloodstream, as he’s first and foremost an Englishman, an MI6 agent. The MI6 headquarters were on the Thames before being destroyed on the silver screen in Spectre. But don’t worry, the real MI6 building is still standing because the explosion was only for show!
4. Corfu, Greece
Let’s move on from the Daniel Craig movies and go back in time to the 1981 and the movie For Your Eyes Only. This gorgeous Greek island was prominently featured in the movie, most notably Corfu Town. The Old Fortress in the town was a backdrop for many showdowns with the bad guys, and the stunning Achillon Palace is where Bond meets the movie’s villain, Krisitatos.
5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Our final stop is in Amsterdam, the city of windmills and bicycles. The 1971 film Diamonds Are Forever, in which Bond travels under the alias Peter Franks to meet Tiffany Case, used Amsterdam as its main location. Bond drives down the Reguliersgracht canal in the film, stopping at #36 to meet his contact. Magere Brug is where Bond and Blofeld have their final fight, making it one of the most popular Bond locations in Amsterdam for the fans.
Conclusion
Bond films have used both sunny locations such as Greece or Montenegro and sombre settings such as Amsterdam or London as backdrops. If you want to plan your next vacation around the Bond franchise, you’ll have plenty of options! So pack your bags, and get ready to live a slice of the Bond life, with all the luxury and none of the peril!
Image by teksomolika on Freepik
