by Brian Kennedy
The majority of James Bond scenes are shot on location, which happily means that you can visit them yourself. In this blog, we’ll run through some of the best and also offer advice on how to get the most from the trip, such as using a free bet offer from oddschecker in advance of your trip to Monte Carlo, taking skiing lessons before hitting the alps, and renting a car so you can visit all of the UK destinations in one mega trip.
Monte Carlo Casino
Monte Carlo is a pretty classy destination in its own right, but Monte Carlo Casino takes the classiness levels to new heights. Never Say Never Again and Goldeneye, two of the most iconic James Bond movies, have been shot here. While it’s fine to simply admire the view from the outside, for the true experience, look at going inside and sitting down at a table. As one of the world’s best casinos, it’s important to know what you’re doing here, so look at brushing up on your poker skills before your trip. You might not look quite as cool as Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan when you’re playing, but don’t worry about that — no one looks as cool as James Bond!
Khao Phing Kan
If you’re looking to follow in the footsteps of 007 and have a thoroughly relaxing time, then consider heading to Thailand. And more specifically, to Khao Phing Kan, otherwise known as ‘James Bond Island.’ This was the home of Scaramanga headquarters in The Man With The Golden Gun, while the surrounding islands in Thailand were also used as filming locations in Tomorrow Never Dies.
There’s nothing particularly ‘James Bond-esque’ you can do on the island, but that’s actually a relief — the island is so beautiful that you’ll be more than happy to just sit back and work on your tan.
The Snowy Alps
James Bond is a man of many talents, so of course he knows how to ski like a champion. He’s done his fair share of shredding in the Alps of Switzerland and Italy, which are world-renowned for offering some of the best skiing anywhere in the world.
The Alps have featured in many Bond movies, including Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Goldeneye, and The World Is Not Enough. If you make a trip, be sure to invest in skiing lessons either before you go or when you first arrive. It’s unlikely that you’ll be quite as good on skis as James Bond, but since you probably won’t be chasing villains through off-piste terrain, you don’t really need to be.
A Tour of the UK
As James Bond’s home country, it makes sense that the UK should feature heavily as a filming location for the franchise. In fact, the UK is in every James Bond movie, sometimes significantly so (such as in Skyfall, which was largely a domestic adventure for 007). If you’re planning to do a James Bond tour of the UK, then you’ll be well-advised to rent a car, as some of the filming locations are quite remote — the Highlands, Bonds’ home, makes for a terrific road trip.
If you’re happy to keep things a little more straightforward, then you’ll find plenty of filming locations in and around London. Indeed, take a stroll through central London, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find an iconic view that hasn’t been featured in a James Bond movie. If you only have time to see one location, make it the SIS Building, which is where the real James Bond would work.
