How to fulfill your James Bond fantasyEdited by Madelyn Miller, the travelladyYour top-secret mission: indulge in the luxurious London lifestyle of Her Majesty's Secret Service Seeking the adventure, luxury, and excitement of a secret agent? VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales offers suggestions on how to experience London in the style made famous by the glamorous lifestyles and missions of Her Majesty’s favorite secret agent. To kick-start the excitement of a secret mission, travelers can race down the Thames River in a speed boat with London Voyages, reliving the energy of a secret agent chase. See the famous sites of London in thrilling style, passing by The London Eye, The Tower of London and The National Maritime Museum (www.londonribvoyages.com). Visitors can explore the city with a guided Spies and Spymasters walking tour by The Original London Walks (www.walks.com). Discover the clandestine world of covert operations and the work of Britain's special forces, around which much of James Bond’s world is based. Continuing in the espionage theme, the Imperial War Museum maintains an interesting exhibit on the "Secret War," offering museum-goers a chance to view the covert operations of secret missions throughout the years. Shoppers can stroll down where else, but Bond Street, to experience high-end shopping and get the perfect look for their next mission. Chanel, Aspery, Cartier, Mulberry and Belfstaff are just a few of the luxury shops that can outfit a secret agent in style. Near Old Bond Street is Saville Row, where custom made suits and dress shirts are made by some of the finest tailors in the world. After shopping, visit Geo F Trumper- Barbers and Perfumers (www.trumpers.com) the finest traditional gentlemen’s barber in London. It’s not top secret, but it’s rumored that the City Inn Westminster (www.cityinn.com) is a hang-out for spies. Their Millbank Lounge, located right next to the MI5 and MI6 headquarters, is a hip and trendy hangout, which also offers a cocktail master class where secret agents can learn to make martinis. True fans of Agent 007 will not miss a trip to Dukes Bar (www.dukeshotel.co.uk) to sample the ultimate martini. Author Ian Fleming frequented Dukes Bar and it is said that this trendy location was the inspiration for James Bond’s love of martinis, shaken, not stirred. After cocktails, dine at Hush, a popular Mayfair restaurant owned by Geoffrey Moore, son of actor Roger Moore (www.hush.co.uk). A final stop at the Vertigo Champagne Bar (www.tower24.co.uk), perched 42,600 feet above the ground, is a perfect way to complete the day with extraordinary views of the city, an attraction fit for the most debonair and stylish of London’s visitors. For posh and sophisticated guests, London offers spectacular accommodations that are sure to delight and impress. Two newly refurbished properties in London are the May Fair and Brown’s Hotel. The May Fair Hotel (www.radissonedwardian.com) entices travelers to stay in luxurious comfort. The newly renovated hotel boasts a contemporary lobby furnished with creations from some of the top design houses, including sofas and chairs from Fendi, chandeliers by Baccarat and paintings from St. Petersburg. This hotel’s grand and elegant ambience will surely satisfy even the most prestigious guests with stylish tastes. Complete with a positively indulgent spa and an opulent, yet sleek bar, the May Fair Hotel is fitting for any celebrity secret agent. Recently renovated and part of the Rocco Forte collection, Brown’s Hotel (www.brownshotel.com) offers travelers the highest quality of English elegance. Fit for any royal subject or visitor seeking style, Brown’s Hotel in the exclusive Mayfair neighborhood pampers guests, providing a traditional British afternoon tea in their beautiful tea room. For those travelers who wish to be seen in style, the Donovan Bar at the hotel provides a chic atmosphere to sip the perfect martini or celebrate with champagne while listening to live jazz music. Just 90 minutes outside of London in the New Forest is the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu (www.beaulieu.co.uk), which features a ‘James Bond Experience’ -- an exhibition of some of the vehicles and props featured in the Bond films. They include the original Jaguar XKR Roadster from "Die Another Day" and the Lotus Submarine Car and Wet Bike from "The Spy Who Loved Me. " During World War II, Beaulieu was the Headquarters for MI6 and served as a finishing school for spies. Also outside of London is College Farm, in the Vale of Aylesbury, where the aspiring spy can practice target shooting. Seasoned staff here can teach wishful secret agents of all skill levels clay pigeon shooting in this picturesque location. (www.adventure001.com). After a hard day of saving the world, spies can find a little rest and relaxation at the Stoke Park Club, an exclusive five-star luxury resort just outside of London. Following a treatment in the world-class spa or a round of golf, travelers can take in some of the locations used in filming past James Bond movies. In the film "Goldfinger," Agent 007 faced off for a round of golf against the villain with the Midas touch, Auric Goldfinger. The beautiful Stoke Park Club ballroom also served as a key location in Bond’s film "Tomorrow Never Dies," serving as Bond’s hotel room in Hamburg, and the location in which Bond renews his past relationship with Carver’s wife Paris. (www.stokeparkclub.com) www.visitbritain.com/usa, travelinfo@visitbritain.org BRIT-THINK, AMERI-THINK Great Guidebooks Madelyn Miller is a food and travel writer who writes for 7 websites with a combined monthly viewership of over 7 million hits. See her work on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, and www.teaAtlas.com |
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