City-hopping Casino Royale tour

What: City-hopping Casino Royale tour
By: eShores
Photo: 007 Travelers


eShores' city-hopping Casino Royale Tour will take you from UK to Nice to Venice to Prague – giving you the chance to experience exciting nightlife, incredible dining and sightseeing.

Visit various Bond locations from "Casino Royale" (2006).

You can see some of them visited by 007 Travelers here:

The front yard of Hotel Splendide in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

Body Worlds Exhibition exteriors in Prague, Czech Republic

Bond recovers / Bond and Vesper meet Mr. Mendel in Lenno, Lake Como, Italy

Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Lake Como, Italy
Photo © 007 Travelers

10 Nights From £895

Price is a guide for this multi-centre holiday including all your flights and 4 star hotels on B&B.

Itinerary

UK - Nice (Flight) 3 Nights: The first stop on your Casino Royale itinerary is Nice, on the South Coast of France. Nice offers a fantastic start to your trip – with opportunities for watersports in the crystal-clear waters of the French Riviera or exploring local cuisine and architecture inland.

While here, you will take a day trip to Monte Carlo, Monaco – even though it’s not a filming location, the Monte Carlo Casino features heavily in Ian Fleming’s novel. 

Nice - Venice (Flight) 3 Nights: From the sweeping coastline of Nice to the grand canal thoroughfare of Venice – your second stop is a must-see city for history and food lovers. 

Venice appears in Casino Royale when Daniel Craig’s Bond confronts Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) as she escapes into an empty palazzo on the Grand Canal. Wander down to the Fondamenta Vin Castello in the Cannaregio District for the perfect viewing platform.

Optional 4 Night Trip to Lake Como - From an Extra £320pp: After your stay in Venice, you’ll get a direct train from Venice to Milan, where you’ll pick up a hire car and drive to Lake Como (transfers available at a supplement). You’ll spend four nights there, before driving to Milan Airport for a direct flight to Prague to continue the rest of the itinerary.

Venice - Prague (Flight) 4 Nights: Key locations for Casino Royale fans in Prague include Danube House, which was the venue for Bond’s earning of the 00 status at the start of the film, and the library of the Strahov Monastery, which appears as part of the House of Commons.

Your stay in Prague comes with the option of a day trip to nearby Karlovy Vary and Loket – both well-connected with the Casino Royale filming. Karlovy Vary is home to the Grandhotel Pupp, better known as The Hotel Splendide where Bond and Vesper Lynd spend the night. In Loket, you will find the Kaiserbad Spa, an iconic building for Bond fans, as it takes on the role of Casino Royale itself on the big screen.

Prague - UK (Flight) 4 Nights: At the end of your trip, eShores will fly you home direct to the UK.

See more here

See more OTHER 007 RELATED NEWS here

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Travel around the world, the James Bond way!

It’s been 53 years since James Bond was introduced to the world in "Dr. No" (1962). Since then, every Bond movie has been tantamount to gorgeous women, stunning cars, mind-blowing gadgets and exotic locations, leaving its audience with serious style and travel goals. Since inception, Bond movies have been filmed in the best of locations across the world that have provided splendid backdrops to some of the most memorable shots and sequences.
Read more and see more pics here

Source and pics: Lifeaholic

Thanks for the tip: Satyam Arya

Contra dam (Verzasca dam) from "GoldenEye" (1995) is located in Switzerland. Read 007 Travelers 007 Travel story here

Bond adventure "Quantum of Solace" (2008) starts from Siena, Italy. Read 007 Travelers 007 Travel story of Siena here

Casino Royale in film "Casino Royale" is in Montenegro, but it in reality it exists in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Read 007 Travelers 007 Travel story here

007 Filming location: The elevator in Hotel Splendide / Casino Royale (2006)

THE ELEVATOR IN HOTEL SPLENDIDE

Bond movie: Casino Royale (2006)
Place and location in the movie: Hotel Splendide, Montenegro
Actual place and location:  Grand Hotel Pupp, Mírové náměstí 2, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
What happens here in the movie: Bond and Vesper discuss in the elevator
Visited by 007 Travelers: 2010

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

See the whole 007 Travel story here

See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by countries) here

See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by films) here

007 Filming location: Casino Royale exteriors / Casino Royale (2006)

CASINO ROYALE EXTERIORS

Bond movie: Casino Royale (2006)
Place and location in the movie: Casino Royale in Montenegro
Actual place and location: Spa/ Lázně I / next to Grandhotel Pupp, Mariánskolázeňská 306/2, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
What happens here in the movie: Casino scenes in the movie
Visited by 007 Travelers: 2010

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

See the whole 007 Travel story here

See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by countries) here

See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by films) here

007 Filming location: Taxi stop in Montenegro / Casino Royale (2006)

TAXI STOP IN MONTENEGRO

Bond movie: Casino Royale (2006)
Place and location in the movie: Front of Railway Station, Montenegro
Actual place and location: Lázenská 4, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
What happens here in the movie: Taxi picks up Bond and Vesper

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

See the whole 007 Travel story here

See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by countries) here
See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by films) here

007 Filming location: Montenegro Railway Station / Casino Royale (2006)

MONTENEGRO RAILWAY STATION


Bond movie: Casino Royale (2006)
Place and location in the movie: Railway Station, Montenegro
Actual place and location: Mill Colonnade, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
What happens here in the movie: Bond and Vesper walking in the Railway Station
Visited by 007 Travelers: 2010

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

See the whole 007 Travel story here

See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by countries) here
See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by films) here

007 Filming location: The front yard of Hotel Splendide / Casino Royale (2006)

THE FRONT YARD OF HOTEL SPLENDIDE 


Bond movie Casino Royale (2006)
Place and location in the movie: The front yard of the Hotel Splendide, Montenegro
Actual place and location: The front yard of the Grand Hotel Pupp, Mírové náměstí 2, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
What happens here the movie: Bond arrives to the Hotel Splendide
Visited by 007 Travelers: 2010

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

See the whole 007 Travel story here

See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by countries) here
See more 007 FILMING LOCATIONS (by films) here

007 Related Restaurant: Pizzeria Capri - Ristorante, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

PIZZERIA CAPRI - RISTORANTE


Location: Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Address: Stará Louka 42
Bond connection: Daniel Craig had dinner here


Fresh seafood
* Original Italian cuisine
* Pasta, pizza, salads, steaks
* Wide range of cold and hot drinks

The pizzeria is a favorite of people now famous international Karlovy Vary film festival

See the whole travel story here

See more 007 RESTAURANTS (visited) here

007 Restaurant: Grandrestaurant Pupp, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

GRANDRESTAURANT PUPP


Location: Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Address: Mírové náměstí 2
Bond movie appearance: Casino Royale (2006)

The heart of culinary services at Grandhotel Pupp is the Grandrestaurant. Á-la-carte restaurant with French-style service will please your palate. You can choose from a summer and winter menu and fresh seasonal treats. The sommeliers will recommend the best vintages of wine. Everything to make your culinary experience unforgettable.

The Neoclassical interior features stucco walls and large windows providing views of the spa promenade.

See the whole travel story here

See more 007 RESTAURANTS (visited) here

007 Hotel: Grand Hotel Pupp, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

GRAND HOTEL PUPP 

Location: Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Address: Mirové náměstí 2
Bond movie appearance: Casino Royale

The tradition of the Grandhotel Pupp dates back to 1701. Over three centuries of proud history, exceptional guests, and first-class services make the Grandhotel Pupp unique on a global scale. Its genius loci is reflected in the beautiful experiences for guests take home with them. Many cannot resist its generous hospitality for long and are happy to keep coming back.

The spacious balneotherapy centre provides spa treatments, both traditional treatments that take advantage of the natural wealth of Karlovy Vary as well as modern treatments that follow the latest trends.

358,00 € / person / three nights "In the Track of the Agent 007" package, including accommodation with breakfast (2010).




Grand Hotel Pupp is Hotel Splendide in "Casino Royale"

007 package:
* Drink voucher with 3 game chips to hotel´s Casino
* Dinner voucher to Becher's Bar, located in the basement of Hotel Pupp
* Thai massage voucher
* Salt Chamber relaxing voucher to Elizabeth Baths



See the whole travel story here

See more 007 HOTELS (visited) here

007 Travel story: Karlovy Vary, Loket, Prague (CZECH REPUBLIC) 2010

Czech trip June 26-July 1, 2010

Pirita's and Mika's own trip for two

Airline: Finnair,  Flights Helsinki - Prague - Helsinki, 154,96 € (with discounted flight points)
Flight time: 2h 10 min

Hotels:
Grand Hotel Pupp, Mírové náměstí 2, Karlovy Vary
358,00 € / person / three nights package. 
Booked via hotel's own pages, including accommodation with breakfast and "In the Track of the Agent 007" package.

Hotel Golden Tulip Terminus Prague, Hybernska 42, Prague
170,00 € / one night, breakfast included.
Booked via booking.com.



"My name is Traveler. Agent Traveler. I'm your contact here."


Saturday 26th of June 2010

Bags had been packed at last, and the taxi picked us up at 7 AM in the morning.
The flight was half an hour behind the schedule, but on the way we catched up time and landed at Prague - Ruzynê Airport (nowadays Václav Havel International Airport), which represents Miami International Airport in Daniel Craig's first Bond-movie "Casino Royale" (2006).

(Did you know: The chase around Miami airport was actually filmed at three separate airports in three different countries. They were:
Nassau International Airport in Nassau, New Providence Island, The Bahamas,
Dunsfold Park Aerodome in Dunsfold Park, Dunsfold, Surrey, England and
Ruzyne International Airport in Ruzyne, Prague, Czech Republic.)

Prague airport

(Did you know: The Virgin Airlines boss Richard Branson as a man at airport security. When British Airways showed the film on their airline, they blurred out the tail showing the Virgin Atlantic logo and cut Branson's cameo.)

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

We were going to go with Prague Student Agency´s bus (Duration two hours from Prague Airport to Karlovy Vary), but we had not booked a ticket in advance. In the end we went to the airport to buy tickets, but we had to wait for the officers because they had 1 hour lunch break. Eventually we got to the air-conditioned bus, which was jam-packed. We had to sit apart, we got the last places at whole bus to Karlovy Vary. Preparations of The Karlovy Vary International Film Festivals were going on during our stay in the city.

Karlovy Vary

We took a taxi from the bus station to the hotel, the price agreed upon in advance, 250 CZK. A taxi drove us directly to the Grand Hotel Pupp, at Mírové náměstí 2, Karlovy Vary (Hotel Splendide in "Casino Royale", 2006) front of the "better" side of the hotel, where the doorman considered it important whether there were our names on the list, there were not, but steered us to "common people´s" side.

The four-star side showed that there appeared to have occurred a double booking, though, this became apparent only when the bellhop carried our bags to a room in front of the door, and opened for us the door of the room, and the room was occupied. Bellhop went to clarify things for us, and we got a room in the luxury side. A bitter looking reception guy told us that it is our lucky day, because of the confusion we were accommodated in five-star side, DeLuxe Junior Suite (room 367), instead of the common people´s side at the four-star First Class. Such a luck!

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Karlovy Vary is famous for its spas. One of the former, Kaiserbad (Spa / Lazne I), is located next to our hotel. The building was in the movie "Casino Royale" (2006).

"The coldest blood runs through my veins.
You know my name."
(Chris Cornell: You Know My Name)
photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

We went for a city tour of our own, explored Mill Colonnade, which is Montenegro Train Station in "Casino Royale" (2006) movie.

Bond girl Vesper Lynd (actress Eva Green and 007)
photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Taxi picked up Bond and Vesper from here

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Pizza and beer at Pizzeria Capri in which Daniel Craig has also had dinner. After pizza, we went to a horse cab ride, it was a nice way to explore the city, which was full of jeweler shops. A half hour ride cost 1000 CZK. (€ 100 = 2500 CZK.) When we had seen some of the city, we went to enjoy the hotel room and each other's company.

Pirita

Mika

Elevator @ Pupp

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC



(Did you know: During filming mirrors in the Hotel Pupp elevator had to be covered by wooden panels to avoid reflections in a camera.)

Common living room @ Pupp, which was used as media center during the Film Festival

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Sunday 27th of June 2010

After waking up, we went downstairs to have breakfast, which was quite a luxury! Coffee was poured into the cups for us. Bond and Vesper also had a dinner here.

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

(Did you know: The 'Vesper Martini' is the famous drink, ordered by James Bond in both the book and the movie "Casino Royale".

The recipe for Bond's "Vesper" martini, as described in the 1953 book: 'Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel'.)


We took a taxi for tariff at all day, it was CZK 2000. We went to the little town of Loket, (Karlovy Vary, Loket and Prague = Montenegro in the movie "Casino Royale", 2006.)

The driver drove quite fast! The deal was that the driver was waiting for us in a couple of hours. It was the time we spent by exploring the environment, especially "Casino Royale" (2006) filming locations. We also went to Loket Castle, there was a torture chamber.

 It was a really hot day, so we went to Hotel Goethe's terrace. (Bond meets Rene Mathis)

When we returned to the hotel we took our stuff to the room, and ordered a taxi again, and the same driver it was, who was driving us in Loket. Fortunately, we gave him earlier a good tip. He took us to Elizabeth Baths, there we used our voucher from the hotel. There was Salt Chamber to relax. We sat in beach chairs for 45 minutes, listened to the sound of water and soothing music, and were breathing sea air.

After this experience, we walked back to our hotel, where we saw Jaromir Jagr and other players of the national team of Czech Republic, after winning World Championship of ice hockey. We went for an ice cream to Cafe Pupp, Mika took a Martini Bianco.

In the hotel room we opened a little bottle of Creme & Caffe liqueur from Loket. After that we went to use our next voucher, which initially covered the 3-course dinner, but it was a 4-course set!

In front of Cafe Pupp

Becher's Bar was located in the basement of Hotel Pupp. We were ushered to a table set for four, which quickly reorganized only the two of us. Drinks were not included in the price, but we got a voucher for food on the table in addition to the bread basket. Drank red wine and water. First introduced arugula, ham parmesan salad, then chicken noodle soup, main course was pork and rice, for dessert there was rum sorbet.

After dinner, we went to Casino for games, we got a drink and 3 chips. But before admission, ID was examined closely. We wanted drinks called "Air Conditioner". Chips got us nothing more than experience.



Monday 28th of June 2010

We had booked with voucher a foot and shoulder Thai massage. We had adjacent treatment tables, by two Thai women. Mika got his treatment quite hard from the older woman, Pirita´s treatment was more gently by a younger woman. It was a special experience.

After this, we went to place nearby our hotel, to place called Diana Tower. We got up there with some kind of "mountain lift "(funicular), like a roller coaster, but more compact. Diana is a tower with a view, which has thankfully an elevator. Photos were taken from the top. Below we noticed a screaming peacock. Then we ate at Diana's restaurant.

We used our last voucher, a drink coupon. Pirita ordered the Strawberry Colada. The bartender took us a couple of really successful photos. We went again to Becher's Bar to eat, now we had the Wiener Schnitzel. Then back to the hotel.

Tuesday 29th of 2010

After breakfast we took a walk to see what kind of weather it was to travel to Prague. Hot it was again. Packed our bags, and gave the hotel customer feedback, which was praised specifically for Guest Service´s Ludvik and bellhop Jan. We went to the bus station by taxi, and took the bus to Prague, now got seats next to each other, and numbered seats were right this time.

Came to the hotel at Hybernska 42, Prague, by taxi from the bus station, but taxi was at first difficult to find, even though we were next to a taxi station. Hotel Golden Tulip had no hurry to give us our room. Finally we got a room 403, and when the bags had been carried in the room, we went to see the city. We first went to Pizzeria Rustica, which had a really good tuna-olive pizza.

From there, we walked to 007 filming locations, but we did not get in, or places no longer exist. We went to Jimmy's bar (apparently former 007 bar) drinking Red Bull, and then we went to search for a taxi. In the hot weather it was the best to take a taxi, when we went to Vitkov Monument. (Body Worlds Exhibition interiors in "Casino Royale", 2006)

(Did you know: The Body Worlds Exhibition in Miami was actually shot on a very cold night in Prague.

The bodies playing poker at the Bodies exhibition in Miami were made specifically for this film. Director Martin Campbell almost decided to leave it out because he thought it was too obvious.

The creator of the Body Worlds exhibit Gunther von Hagens can be heard and his trademark black hat seen - but not his face - during the sequence where Bond stabs a man in the museum in front of one of von Hagens' displays.)

Vitkov Monument

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

During the day we bought some souvenirs, and went to a café-bar Trinity.

Later in the evening we walked to the local McDonald´s. After that we were fully ready to go to sleep, in order to survive the next day to get around Prague.

Wednesday 30th of June 2010

Got up early because we had decided to go for breakfast as soon as the dining room was open, so we were narrowly the first customers at 6.30 AM, and we ate comprehensive breakfast. After that we went for a three-hour morning walk, circled around and took photos in Prague, for example: Ministry of Transport, it was Body Worlds Exhibition exteriors in "Casino Royale" (2006).

Ministry of Transport

photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

We saw Rudolfinum, which organized James Bond charity concert as a part of the Prague Film Music Festival.
National Museum: We took photos from the outside. (Interiors of The Venice Hotel at "Casino Royale", 2006 movie.)

National Museum

Statue of St. Wenceslas and other items we also took photos of. Returned to the hotel, and we were at agreed time at reception, because we had booked the previous day river cruise (900 CZK), which included lunch.

The bus driver picked us up on time, waiting at the center of Prague for our guide, who did not come then. The river boat, however, was in its place, it was not gone 11.30 AM as it was supposed to leave, but waited for us. Cruised along the River Vltava, and the later founded guide came to our table. She talked and laughed all the time, but handled the job very well, explained the history of the Czech Republic and attractions of it, humor was involved. We sat on the deck, but lunch was inside at buffet table.

During river cruise we took photos of The Dancing House, which was quite a view.

Tančící dům

After the cruise, we circled around again in Prague, we saw Charles Bridge, etc. Then we saw Prague Astronomical Clock and the trumpeter, who announced the clock hour. We went to dinner later at a pizzeria with a terrace in artificial green grass.

Charles Bridge: The statue of John of Nepomuk. 

Astronomical Clock

Thursday 1st of July 2010

We had booked a taxi to airport one day before, that cost a little less than 700 CZK. Taxi picked us up from the hotel at the time of 9 AM. Finally we reached the security checks and C2 zone, and yet we had time to buy some souvenirs. In Helsinki we waited almost 1 hour for our luggage, but at least we got a taxi right away. We had a great trip, a memorable one!



See the list of 007 LOCATIONS (visited), excluding 007 HOTELS (visited) and
007 RESTAURANTS (visited), which have sections of their own, please follow the links.


Souvenirs: