James Bond Italian Road Trip

Lake Garda, Venice, Siena, Rome, Matera

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This example itinerary from

$30,000pp

15 days

Highlights

Experience the cities frequented by 007 in true James Bond style
Test drive a Ferrari around the Maranello Hills
Unlock the Sistine Chapel with only the Keeper of the Keys as company
Experience the Palio from the vantage point of a private apartment
Sail across Lake Garda in luxury before settling down for Michelin starred dining

What’s Included

14 nights Bed & Breakfast
Visit to Ferrari Factory and test drive
Luxury boat trip on Lake Garda
Early access to the Sistine Chapel before the crowds
Private and Hosted Apartment for the Palio
Brunello Wine Tasting Experience
Private Vespa Food Tour of Rome
International Economy Class Flights
All domestic transfers

Example Itinerary

Day 1-4 Day 4-7 Day 7-10 Day 10-13 Day 13-15

Day 1-4

LAKE GARDA, Italy

Enjoy Michelin Star dining, lunch and dinner
Experience the lake from the comfort and privacy your own luxury riva boat

Cross your fingers for no enemy car chases en-route and unpack in time for shaken – not stirred – martinis by the water.

Flying into Milan, you will be discreetly met* and whisked to the shores of Lake Garda and the exclusive Villa Feltrinelli. Making the most of the expanse of water, spend one day on a luxury sail boat zipping along the coasts highlights – we’ll then reserve the best table at legendary Locanda San Vigilio. Fortunately, Villa Feltrinelli boasts a two Michelin starred restaurant, so there is no need to risk leaving the grounds of the hotel to be spoilt rotten at dinner. The following day, with a private hiking guide, embark up the cable car. From the top of Monte Baldo, take in views of the lake from an entirely different vantage point, with the rugged Dolomites as a backdrop. Feast over the view with a luxury picnic, complete with the best produce and prosecco from the local region.

*Ok, small confession… From a logistics point of view, your driver will greet you in arrivals with a board bearing your name.

Day 4-7

VENICE, Italy

Visit the private island Isola Santa Cristina, where you can have lunch in a 007 setting with views over the city’s rooftops
Watch the sun rise over the city from the vantage point of the Belvedere Terrace

All fans of the city will have held their breath throughout Casino Royale, as 007 seemed determined to escape his enemies with no regard whatsoever for the longevity of the city’s infrastructure. Fortunately, for us and the British Government’s damage bill, it survived.

Today, your driver will take you from lake to landmark – St Mark’s Square. Venice is a tourist honey trap if ever there was one. A floating city in Italy, palazzos, pizzerias and palaces all accessible by gondola. The Belmond Cipriani offers space and an Olympic size pool (thanks to a typo in Italian legislation). If there was ever an opportunity to have a night off from full James Bond immersion, order a Bellini over a martini now, as the birth of the drink was here. Experience the highlights of the Grand Canal from your own water limousine, before zipping off to the private island of Santa Cristina, exclusively yours for lunch and wine tasting from the island’s organic vineyard. Skip the hotel’s buffet for a final Venetian breakfast high in the turrets of the Belvedere Terrace, taking in the city’s rooftops.

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Day 7-10

SIENA, Italy

Experience the thrill of the Palio from the comfort of your own private apartment
Enjoy wine tasting from some of Tuscany’s most revered wine lists

Without any hindsight to check if the streets would be busy, James tore through Siena on the city’s busiest day of the year – the infamous Palio horserace.

Break up the journey from Emilia Romagna to Tuscany with a stop at the Ferrari Museum and Factory. Complete the visit with a test drive into the mountains in an unbeatable vehicle for a car chase. Basing yourself outside of the city of Siena, enjoy the tranquillity of the Tuscan countryside that James carelessly opted to omit, then take a helicopter on race day for a short journey into the thick of the action. Save yourself the pressure of holding onto a good spot with a pre-booked private apartment complete with personal butler. Take in the thrill of the race, join the riotous celebrations and then promptly return to the tranquillity of the countryside when you have had enough. And a visit to Tuscany is not complete without a spot of wine tasting – spend the afternoon with a local expert tasting Brunello wines with the vineyards as your backdrop.

Day 10-13

ROME, Italy

Open the Sistine Chapel with the Keeper of the Keys in total privacy before anyone else is allowed access
Sleep beneath the same original frescos as Pope Innocent X, in your own private apartment in the centre of the city

007 did this leg of his Italian journey in true Bond fashion – a high speed car chase. We suggest experiencing the city at a slower pace, with so much privacy from the crowds, you’ll believe M had a hand to play.

Take the high speed train to the country’s capital, where there is only one place James would rest his head – the Holy Deer Apartment. Pope Innocent X had as scandalous a romantic life as James himself, and this private apartment was kept by one of his mistresses as their private love nest outside of the Vatican. Access to the front door is still the medieval stone inclined track that the Pope used, aided by his donkey and cart. Continuing in true Bond fashion to avoid the masses, rise early on your first morning to open the Sistine Chapel and museums of the Vatican before a single other soul. With so much to see in the capital, spend the afternoon perched on the back of a Vespa and experience the food scene of Rome like a local.

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Day 13-15

MATERA, Italy

Spot the Sassi caves from the sky at sunrise
Enjoy a final and most romantic meal in a Matera Cave

What Matera lacks in household name, it makes up for in astounding history and architecture. Set to be showcased in the upcoming ‘No Time to Die’ blockbuster, we suggest you head there before the crowds descend.

Drive southeast to the heel of Italy’s boot, for a stay in Matera. Frequently referenced as one of the most romantic hotels in Italy, Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita puts you in the centre of the historic ‘Sassi’ – literally. The hotel is carved out of the caves that make this UNESCO city unique. Your neighbours are a tangle of Stone Age cave-dwellings and medieval tufa houses. Rise early to see the town from the vantage point of a hot air balloon, awe at how narrow the streets are as the sun rises and marvel that 007 fought off all number of high speed vehicles in this space. Stick to the authenticity of the region and hike through the Murgia Park, passing a network of churches and monasteries. Work up an appetite for lunch in a farmhouse with your guide and take in the Italian fresh air. For your final evening, romance in a deconsecrated church, lit solely by candles, with background classical music and a crackling fireplace. Think Daniel Craig, Die Another Day: “Sometimes I like to do things the old fashioned way.”

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The Fishers

Our family are hooked on Italy and Molly‘s passion and knowledge means she keeps finding us something new. The latest trip was in the Dolomites – Rosa Alpina is the dream. Officially our favourite hotel ever. We’re going to Puglia next but we have to wait until next year for that!