HOKKAIDO’S POWDER PARADISE

OCT-DEC 2015

LACQUER’S SHINING GLORY

CHRISTMAS FEASTING

ON THE JAMES BOND TRAIL

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On the trail of Bond

With the new James Bond movie, Spectre, due to have its world premiere

on 26 October, Mike Gerrard tracks

down some of 007’s best movie

locations and Bond-like experiences

ROME (SPECTRE, 2015)The Eternal City is a suitable setting for Bond, the eternal hero. While Morocco, Austria, Mexico City and, naturally, London were also used as locations during the six months of filming, Rome and the Vatican City feature prominently in the story. There are some exciting car chases along the River Tiber and around the Colosseum, while St Peter’s Basilica also acts as a backdrop.Luxury hideaway With its five-star luxury and buildings dating back to the 16th century, the Hotel d’Inghilterra (niquesahotels.com/hotel-dinghilterra) would be as popular with Bond as it has been with previous British guests, including the Romantic poet John Keats. It even has a Bond Bar, named in his honour.Shaken not stirred The Stravinskij Bar at the Hotel de Russie (grandhotelsoftheworld.com/derussie) is one of the classiest and liveliest bars in Rome. Here Bond can choose from a range of martinis, including a Dirty Martini and a tea-infused Lapsang Martini.Dress the part Bond will have to dress his best to compete with the chic look of most Italian men. Fortunately Tom Ford, who has dressed Bond in his recent movies, has a boutique in Rome (Via del Babuino 81) where Bond can go to ensure he continues to look stylish under pressure. Licence to thrill Despite his love of hi-tech gadgetry, Bond has to hold his own in simple one-on-one combat. He’ll have the chance to hone those skills at the Scuola di Gladiatora, or Gladiator School (scuolagladiatoriroma.it), located aptly enough on the Appian Way where the followers of Spartacus, the most famous gladiator of them all, were crucified.

Singapore Airlines �ies three times weekly to Rome. PH

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Clockwise, from left: The Bond Bar at the Hotel d’Inghilterra; James Bond star Daniel Craig and Italian actress Monica Bellucci pose for the press in Rome, prior to the launch of the new 007 movie, Spectre; the Colosseum features during car chases in the movie

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Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming, used the name of an ornithologist for his super spy hero. His name was Bond, James Bond, and he wrote Birds of the West Indies

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JAMAICA (DR NO, 1962)The first Bond film starring Sean Connery had one of the most memorable Bond movie moments ever, when Bond Girl Ursula Andress emerged from the sea in a white bikini, which became almost as famous as she did. Much of the action takes place on Jamaica, and that particular scene was filmed on Laughing Waters Beach at Ocho Rios. The beach is on a private estate, however, so you will need to watch the movie again to see it.Luxury hideaway There’s clearly only one place Bond could stay while in Jamaica, and that’s the Fleming Villa (the�emingvilla.com). This hideaway was once the home of Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming, who used the name of an ornithologist for his super spy hero. His name was Bond, James Bond, and he wrote Birds of the West Indies.Shaken not stirred Although more used to serving rum cocktails, the Pelican Bar at Jake’s Hotel (jakeshotel.com) in Treasure Beach would make Bond a killer martini. The bar is offshore in the water, built on a sandbar by a local fisherman, and Bond would need to take a 20-minute boat ride out to what has been voted the ‘Best Beach Bar in the World’.Dress the part It may be hot in Jamaica, but Bond needs to look cool, and a local tailor like Earl’s Fashions (earlsfashions.com) in Montego Bay would definitely help him there. They’re one of the island’s leading outfitters and are often seen on the catwalks at Jamaican fashion shows.Licence to thrill Bond should test his toughness by joining one of GoldenEye hotel’s (goldeneye.com) Jet-ski Safaris.He’ll hit the wide open waves of Oracabessa Bay before speeding to beautiful Robins Bay with its pristine black sand beach that can only be accessed by sea. Later he’ll wade through a river to dramatic Tacky Falls to enjoy a dip in its private hidden swimming hole.

Singapore Airlines �ies daily to New York via Frankfurt, where there are connecting �ights to Kingston, Jamaica.

The Fleming Villa was Ian Fleming’s Jamaican retreat where he wrote all 14 of the James Bond novels. It comes with five bedrooms, a private beach, pool, butler and cook

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THAILAND (THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, 1974)Although the novel on which it’s based is mostly set in Jamaica, the Caribbean island had already been featured in two earlier movies, so most of the action was filmed in the Far East. The star location was Thailand, in particular Phang Nga Bay. Luxury hideaway Situated at the edge of the Krabi Marine National Park, the splendid Rayavadee Resort (rayavadee.com) offers truly breathtaking views over the waters where many of Bond’s exploits took place. He would surely love the opportunity to relax by his private swimming pool in what has often been voted one of the world’s best hotels.Shaken not stirred Set in a spectacular limestone cavern, The Grotto could easily double as a lair for a Bond villain. Part of the Rayavadee Resort, it’s worth infiltrating to savour its romantic setting and signature Krabi Sling cocktail, designed for two. Dress the part Like most other sharp dressers, James Bond would use a visit to Thailand to stock up on some stylish suits and shirts. The Exclusive Tailor (exclusivetailor.com) in Phuket is an ideal place for Bond to get fitted quickly, given the wear and tear his clothes must get.Licence to thrill James Bond Island is off-limits even to James Bond himself, as it is part of the protected Ao Phang Nga National Park and can only be seen from the water: no going ashore. However, when he tires of lazing by the hotel pool, the Rayavadee can arrange for Bond to go rock-climbing on other similarly dramatic limestone cliffs that are such a distinctive feature of Krabi. Or he might be drawn inland to try whitewater rafting down the Phang Nga River followed by an elephant trek through the jungle.

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, �ies daily to Phuket.

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BERNESE ALPS, SWITZERLAND (ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE, 1969)The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant on top of the 2,970m-high Schilthorn (schilthorn.ch) in the Bernese Alps was the unforgettable setting for some of the action in the sixth Bond movie (with George Lazenby in the lead role). The film made it famous, but only thanks to a last-minute fit-out – the restaurant was still being built when filming started. The production company had to pay to have electricity put in and an aerial lift installed so they could get everything and everyone up there.Luxury hideaway The Victoria-Jungfrau Hotel (victoria-jungfrau.ch) in Interlaken is a suitably five-star base for Bond, set at the foot of the 13,642ft (4,158m) Jungfrau. With the tasting menu at award-winning gourmet Restaurant La Terrasse to tempt him, and a two-person private spa available, Bond might even forget the murky world of espionage for a while.Shaken not stirred Bond also became familiar with Bern for this movie. The Sky Terrace Bar in the Schweizerhof Bern Hotel

Above left: The Grotto at Rayavadee Resort. Left: Happy Island viewed from the resort. A similar limestone tower karst found in Ao Phang Nga National Park has come to be known as James Bond Island. Above: The Piz Gloria revolving restaurant on the the Schilthorn

(en.schweizerhof-bern.ch) overlooks the city’s Old Town and provides creative cocktails as well as a great view. It also has a short but very classy champagne list. Dress the part To look the part on the ski slopes, Bond can get all the latest gear at Stäger Sport (staegersport.ch) in Mürren. They also stock the latest, optimally waxed and tuned equipment. Reached via cable car, the village has views of the Eiger and the Jungfrau, and is inaccessible by public road: Bond will need the best skis for a quick getaway.Licence to thrill While Bond was fleeing the heavies on skis, much of the filming was being done from hi-tech helicopters. It seems only fair to let Bond see what it all looked like from above, with a helicopter sightseeing flight (mountain�yers.ch) over the Bernese Alps where the action took place.

Singapore Airlines �ies daily to Zurich, which is a 90-minute drive from Bern.

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Below: View from the Taj Lake Palace, the hotel that played the part of Octopussy’s lair. Facing page: The opulent Panera Bar at the Shiv Niwas Palace

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mirrors and plush sofas, he would have all the discrete comforts and impeccable service of a London club... and a martini to match.Dress the part Whether Bond wants a new western-style suit or a more Indian look, Udaipur’s Boutique Namaste India (67 Ghadiya Devra) will be able to cater to his needs... perhaps even adding extra pockets for his gadgets and weaponry? The shop has several branches with a wide range of fabrics to choose from, and of course a fast turn-around should Bond need it in a hurry.Licence to thrill Bond’s aerial antics are usually fast-moving and accompanied by bullets, so he would surely relish the chance to try one of Rajasthan’s most popular activities: paragliding. He could fly peacefully over the area’s sublime scenery, perhaps even venturing out to explore the desert landscapes. Also on offer in many places in Rajasthan is hang gliding, though Bond could opt for the ultimate ‘skyfall’ and go skydiving (royalskytechaviation.com).

Singapore Airlines �ies daily to Delhi, from where there are connecting �ights to Udaipur.

UDAIPUR (OCTOPUSSY, 1983)Though some scenes were shot in the other-worldly desert landscape around Moab in Utah, and others in Berlin, it was the Indian city of Udaipur in Rajasthan that featured most strongly in Octopussy. The city’s fabulous hotels became stars in their own right. Bond (played by Roger Moore) stayed at the Hotel Shiv Niwas Palace, while the spectacular Taj Lake Palace was used as the island home of the jewel smuggler, Octopussy. Finally, Bond was imprisoned in the Summer Palace Hotel that doubles as the summer home of the Afghan Prince, Kamal Khan.Luxury hideaway Of the three Palace hotels in Udaipur, perhaps the Taj Lake Palace (tajhotels.com) is the one best suited for Bond, with its five-star opulence and unique location on picturesque Lake Pichola. The hotel is accessed by boat and seems to float on the man-made lake, which was created in 1362.Shaken not stirred Bond is familiar with the Panera Bar at the Shiv Niwas Palace (hrhhotels.com), having stayed at the hotel in Octopussy. With its chandeliers,

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Scenes were filmed in what

was Bond’s childhood home

in Glencoe and on the A82 road

in the Scottish Highlands,

where he took M for a spin in his

Aston Martin

SCOTLAND (SKYFALL, 2012)Skyfall saw Bond hitting top form and breaking box office records. While the film showcases spectacular settings in Japan, China and Turkey, especially the opening scenes in Istanbul, it’s perhaps best remembered for Bond revealing something of his Scottish origins. Scenes were filmed in what was Bond’s childhood home in Glencoe and on the A82 road in the Scottish Highlands, where he took M for a spin in his Aston Martin DB5.Luxury hideaway It takes almost ten miles of driving on single-track roads through the woods and alongside Loch Awe to reach the idyllic luxury retreat Ardanaiseig (ardanaiseig.com), which dates back to 1834. Bond could relax by boating on the loch or fishing for wild brown trout, and no doubt would take someone with him to enjoy dining at the hotel in what’s been called the most romantic restaurant in Scotland.Shaken not stirred Bond couldn’t visit Scotland without a round of golf in St Andrews (oldcoursehotel.co.uk) and a martini at the 19th hole. For this, there would be

nowhere better than the Road Hole Bar at the Old Course Hotel. He could start the evening with his favourite martini and later explore the menu of over 300 whiskies.Dress the part If Bond gets serious about his Scottish heritage, he will want to look the part and head for Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers (nicolsonkiltmakers.com) in Edinburgh. As there’s no Clan Bond, he can borrow the tartan from the soldier and diplomat Fitzroy Hew MacLean. Ian Fleming is said to have used some of MacLean’s real-life exploits in creating James Bond in the first place.Licence to thrill You don’t have to be James Bond to drive an Aston Martin through that breathtaking Scottish scenery. Anyone can book a dream car through Hertz’s Dream Collection (hertzdreamcollection.co.uk), including an Aston Martin DB9, or perhaps a Bentley Continental GT (James Bond drives a 1930 Blower Bentley in three 007 novels).

Singapore Airlines �ies daily to London, from where there are connecting �ights to Edinburgh.

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The ruins of Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe, a few miles from Ardanaiseig