5 James Bond Locations Every Guy Should Visit

James Bond is one heck of a lucky guy. He dresses in hand-made suits, cavorts with beautiful women, drives amazing cars, plays with incredible gadgets and gets to shoot baddies. And the best bit? He gets to have all this fun in some of the most wonderful locations on earth. Here’s five of them:

1. Lake Como

Nothing says European sophistication and luxury like Lake Como, so it’s only fitting that Bond spent time in this Italian playground to get away from it all. Set between the hill and the lake, Villa La Gaeta was prominently featured in Casino Royale and it showed this region of Italy at its finest. Visitors to Lake Como have plenty of options when it comes to living it up like 007, including renting a luxury boat to explore the lake. The area is also home to beautiful hotels, villas and apartments where Mr. Bond would feel right at home.

Lake ComoClaudio.Ar / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

2. Instanbul

Mr. Bond made the trip to Istanbul in the opening scene of Skyfall and while it will be difficult for visitors to this ancient city to traverse the rooftop of a bazaar on a motorcycle, Istanbul holds many treasures nonetheless. From its iconic Blue Mosque to its maze of markets and shops, Istanbul stands at the gateway between Europe and Asia and is a true gem of a travel destination. For a true luxury experience, head to one of the city’s lavish bath houses for a level of relaxation fit for any MI6 spy before delving into Istanbul’s exotic night scene or a memorable evening filled with hookah pipes and local cuisine.

Instanbuleutrophication&hypoxia / Foter.com / CC BY

3. London

When he’s not gallivanting around the world, Bond makes London his home. The city was featured heavily in Skyfall, and many of the sites that can be seen in the film, including the London Underground, can be visited in person. There are other Bond films that have included scenes from London, including the famous boat scene down the River Thames in the World is Not Enough. Visitors can easily recreate their own version of this by taking a cruise down the river themselves. Of course London is full of other great attractions like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben. The city is also boasts a sophisticated nightlife scene where you can enjoy a martini. Shaken. Not stirred. Naturally!

LondonAnirudh Koul / Travel Photos / CC BY-NC

4. Shanghai

Another city prominently featured in Skyfall is the ultra-modern Shanghai. It is actually the second time China has been shown in a Bond film. Tomorrow Never Dies included several prominent scenes around the South China Sea. Shanghai has all the cool, cosmopolitan flare that evokes Bond’s sophisticated taste. Indulge in the city’s luxury hotels and bars, and bask under the glowing lights of this vibrant metropolis.

ShanghaiDavid Wilmot / Foter.com / CC BY-SA

5. The Bahamas

No Bond film would be complete without a beach scene with the famous spy holding a beautiful, bikini-clad girl in his arms. The films Thunderball, Casino Royale, Licence to Kill and The Spy Who Loved Me all included scenes shot in the Bahamas. The commonwealth’s capital Nassau is a favored Bond destination and the island is well known for its white sand beaches and sparkling blue waters. Visitors will also find that there is no shortage of bikini clad women on this island paradise.

The BahamasScott Smith (SRisonS) / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Author Bio – This article has been written by Alex a travel and photography blogger from Australia. If you are planning a trip to Europe, make sure you read his recent article on Top things to do on the City Traveller today.