A VIEW TO A THRILL
The name is Como, Lake Como, and it’s just an hour from Milan
BY TRISTAN RUTHERFORD
Fancy emulating Daniel Craig in the next Bond film? Perform any of the following feats in, on or around Lake Como, where the start of the latest James Bond instalment, Quantum of Solace, was shot, and you’ll blend in like a Soviet assassin at a SPECTRE reunion party.
THE SIGHT
The Villa del Balbianello (www.fondoambiente.it; entrance €11) formed the backdrop for Bond’s recovery in Casino Royale, but Eva Green probably won’t be the spy who loved you in the grounds.
THE SUITE
Did Daniel Craig order Bond’s habitual eggs Benedict when he stayed at Cernobbio’s über-luxurious Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como? (www.villadeste.it; doubles €500-€930, suites €1,300-€3,000.) Whatever – you can!
THE CAR
Elation (www.elation.it) can deliver an Aston Martin DB9 directly to your hotel car park. Just don’t drive it into the lake and pick up a €500 fine like the Quantum of Solace set driver did. Doh!
THE BOAT
Live and let fly with Lenno’s Captain Igor (www.taxiboat. net), who can buzz you around Lake Como in a vintage speedboat.
THE TAILOR
Need a tux that hides your Walther PPK shoulder holster? Cernobbio’s Sartoria Lino Orefice (www.sartoriaorefice.com) has fitted Clark Gable and Spain’s King Alfonso XIII.
THE DINNER
Don’t order red wine with the fish while enjoying the €95 prix fixe at Bellagio’s Michelin-starred Mistral (www.ristorante-mistral.com).
THE COCKTAIL
Try these out on the cocktail waiter at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s floating bar: Champagne a l’orange (from the A View to a Kill novel), a rum Collins (from the Thunderball movie), or a dry martini (shaken, not stirred).
Quantum of Solace opens around the UK on 31 October. For more information visit www.007.com
Getting there
bmibaby flies to Milan (Bergamo) from Birmingham from just £34.99 one-way, incl taxes. From there, it’s a one-hour drive to Lake Como, where you can fulfil all your Bond fantasies! For flight details and bookings, log on to www.bmibaby.com
