Black Tomato has designed a series of 007 missions across Europe that include learning stunts, sailing on a vintage yacht, and meeting the cast and crew of famous James Bond films. Jenny Southan reports
Luxury adventure travel company Black Tomato has revealed details of its new James Bond travel experiences, a concept that is a manifestation of two trends Globetrender has explored in-depth in its premium newsletter VOLT. These are “Dramatised Adventures” and “Limelight Locations”.
Immersing clients into the storied world of Bond, travellers can choose from a menu of tailormade experiences that have been developed with Eon Productions and 007 film production crew, providing travellers with unprecedented access to iconic Bond partners, personalities and adventures. (Globetrender first reported on the news here.)
Black Tomato has designed a single definitive 12-night journey named “The Assignment”, which features a selection of Bond experiences in five locations across Europe. This itinerary will culminate in Venice with an “immersive finale” dining experience at the Murano glass factory – the glass-filled venue in which Bond and Chang battled in Moonraker (1979).
Travellers can also customise their own itinerary, choosing from a variety of 007 experiences in the UK, France, Monaco, Italy and Austria. Trips range from five nights to any length of time desired with prices from £15,000 per person.
In celebration of the 60 year franchise, only 60 trips are available for purchase; each of which includes a complementary, exclusively commissioned Dr No (1962) inspired attaché case by Globe-Trotter.
Clients who sign up for the missions will have the chance to learn stunts with Daniel Craig’s stunt double Lee Morrison, visit the Bollinger champagne estate, cruise around the Cote d’Azur aboard a vintage yacht accompanied by actress Carole Ashby (who starred in Octopussy and A View To A Kill in the 1980s), and hear about 007 special effects from Oscar-winning special effects supervisor Chris Corbould (pictured below at Pinewood Studios).
Tom Marchant, co-founder, Black Tomato, says: “The narratives of so many Bond films are enhanced by the distinct feel of iconic destinations, so recreating these stories for a first-person travel experience has been a true delight and honour. We’re thrilled to be at the forefront of creating something bespoke that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, so clients can experience real immersion into Bond’s world on their terms. It’s been brilliant to work with a breadth of captivating European settings that have allowed us to fully embrace the full scope of this incredible franchise.”
Ali James, location manager for Eon Productions, says: “It’s a joy to see 007’s travels come to life with such authenticity, having undergone a nostalgic trip into the archives. It’s been a labour of love not only working with Black Tomato to determine the locations and refine the experiences and locations, but also involving many of Eon’s iconic partners, and myriad people that have worked on the films – from producers to location scouts and front of screen talent. This creative collaboration allows us to get travellers into Bond’s world and offering truly extraordinary experiences, some of which are only accessible with these trips.”
BLACK TOMATO X EON PRODUCTIONS 007 EXPERIENCES
United Kingdom:
Starting in London, this mission will feature a privately guided, high-speed chase down the Thames in the original Superhawk 34 boat from The World Is Not Enough (1999) with a drone capturing the entire pursuit. From here, travellers will have the opportunity to train with Lee Morrison, the award-winning stunt co-ordinator who has worked on the last five Bond films. Finally, travellers will embark on a privately-guided sartorial tour of Burlington Arcade and Jermyn Street where they may get to see iconic garments and accessories from the films.
Stay: The Corinthia Hotel
France:
Black Tomato has arranged an extraordinarily rare and exclusive access to explore the Champagne Bollinger Chateau and Estate, in the village of Ay, Champagne. Open only by appointment, Champagne Bollinger will open their doors exclusively for these trips. Touring the vineyards by vintage Land Rover, exploring the coveted 1829 Reserve Cellars, and enjoying an ultra-rare, guided tasting of a La Grand Année vintage, as sipped by Bond in Casino Royale (2006).
Stay: Hôtel de Crillon, Paris A Rosewood Hotel
Monaco:
In the true spirit of James Bond, see the sights of Monaco’s Cote d’Azur aboard a private yacht. Sail around the Cote d’Azur accompanied by actress Carole Ashby who appeared in Octopussy (1983) and A View To A Kill (1985). Drop anchor at La Reserve de la Mala for lunch – before swimming in secluded coves. After arriving in Monaco, clients will visit the Casino de Monte-Carlo for a VIP behind the scenes tour and gambling at the tables with Andreas Daniel, who consulted on the Texas Hold’em poker scenes in Casino Royale (2006).
Stay: Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo
Italy:
Bond’s Italy is a place of romance, relaxation and intrigue. Fittingly, travellers will take in the breathtaking glamor of Lake Como; water-skiing before jumping aboard a private seaplane and meeting a waiting wooden Riva boat to drive you to Villa La Gaeta and onto a private visit of Villa de Balbianello – both featured in Casino Royale.
As the sun sets over Venice, we’ll organise a private speedboat to the island of Murano for special access to the Glass Museum to see the famed Coppa Barovier, around which Bond and Chang battled in Moonraker (1979); ending the day in the Nason Moretti glass factory for a gourmet, candlelight dinner.
Stay: Villa Passalacqua, Lake Como & Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice
Austria:
A breath-taking Bond ski odyssey awaits travellers in the Austrian mountains of the Ötztal Valley. Here, clients will ascend by snow groomer, long before the crowds, on a freshly groomed piste. From here, they will venture to the summit of Gaislachkogl for a private, behind-the-scenes tour of 007 Elements – a dramatic exhibition profiling the high-tech world of Bond. 
This tour will be led by its curator and there is the option to be accompanied by Oscar-winning Chris Corbould – the Bond special effects co-ordinator who has worked on 15 of the franchise’s films. Travellers will have window-side seating for a reservation at the adjacent ice Q restaurant, the building that played the Hoffler Klinik where Madeleine Swann worked in Spectre (2015).
Stay: Das Central