Spectre-cular 007 Holidays
With Spectre, the latest James Bond film, being released this month, we thought we’d showcase some of our favourite 007-esque holidays. Read on to find out how your next trip can get a license to thrill.
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Bond World 007 in Schiltorn, Piz Gloria
Located in a not-quite top secret location in the Swiss Alps where Her Majesty’s Secret Service was filmed, Bond World 007 in Schilthorn, Piz Gloria is ready and waiting to be explored by the Bond mega-fans. Oh and when you’re there, why not help yourself to the James Bond 007 breakfast buffet at the revolving restaurant? (Yes you read correctly – it actually revolves!) This is the first ever rotating restaurant and offers truly breath-taking 360° panorama views of this majestic Alpine region.
After filling up on breakfast and exploring the mountains, you can check out the interactive Bond World 007 exhibition which features seven key scenes from the Her Majesty’s Secret Service and includes a private cinema.
You can explore this mountainous paradise on train via the Jungfrau Railways Network – just try to avoid getting into Skyfall style fights on top of the train.
The Ultimate – New BC Heli-Ski Safari
This could quite possibly be the trip of a lifetime and one where the memories will stay with you for the rest of your life. Taking in three of British Columbia’s best heli-skiing resorts, Panorama, Revelstoke and Kicking Horse, this new fly drive Heli-Ski Safari will allow skiers and snowboarders to tackle some of the most challenging terrain in North America.
For those of you who don’t have a clue what heli-skiing is, it’s off-trail, downhill skiing or snowboarding that is accessed by a helicopter, as opposed to a ski lift – very exclusive, very Bond.
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Scooting through Saigon
Similar to Tomorrow Never Dies, you can journey to Vietnam and zip through the back streets of Ho Chi Minh on a vintage Vespa, searching for secret street food hangouts and soaking up the live music and atmosphere. This vibrant city comes alive after dark and Rickshaw Travel’s night tour and foodie adventure samples the local hotspots for you to enjoy.
Geocaching in Verbier
A relatively new craze that started taking the world by storm in May 2000, Geocaching involves going in search of treasure by using the GPS system on a mobile device. Once it has been found, ‘geocachers’ write their name in a logbook and replace the treasure they decide to take. It’s pretty simple really and families can be adventurers together. Finding anything quite as precious as gold, silver and diamonds is unlikely but the thrill of finding the caches is rewarding in itself. Test out your latest gadgets and spy kit (if you have one) as you go!
What’s more, Verbier has a selection of luxury hotels such as W Verbier and brand new A Larze which will definitely provide some James Bond style accommodation.
www.verbier.ch
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Secret Agent Kids Clubs
Little ones who are truly inspired by the lifestyle of Mr Bond can get involved in Pierre & Vacances’ secret agent kids clubs. Activities include code breaking, metal detecting, sound detecting and use of infrared glasses. The week culminates in a final game in which all the skills learned through the week are put into use to solve a mystery in order to obtain their secret agent card!
Meanwhile parents can be relaxing on the beach with their shaken-not-stirred cocktails
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Ice Climbing in Vaujany
Why not try ice climbing? The icefalls at Vaujany are south facing and have sunny faces and levels for all climbers. The climbing sites of Vallons de la Grave and Vallons du Diable are famous throughout the world for the diversity that they offer and you’ll feel like you’re in the ice palace featured in Die Another Day. Climbing can also be combined with fine cuisine by taking a trip to the Val d’Aoste in Italy.
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