Shaken, Not Stirred: Black Tomato Named Official Travel Partner To Curate James Bond Trips

If you like your martinis shaken, not stirred, and you’d like to drink them around the world through the lens of James Bond, there’s a travel experience just for you.

Marking the 60th anniversary of James Bond’s debut in cinemas, Black Tomato, as official travel partner to EON Productions, has nabbed the honr of developing private 007 inspired travel experiences, and the first one is a doozy.

The multi-country inaugural journey spans the European continent which hosted myriad Bond film locations. Working in close collaboration with the James Bond team, including some of their longstanding location scouts, the debut trip will pay homage to 007’s inimitable style, touching on memorable scenes as inspriration for the program.

The collaboration’s target audience focuses on travelers who enjoy immersive adventures, and, of course, admire the world of Janes Bond.

Black Tomato has long been known for crafting remarkable, singular travel experiences. Their team will bring to life 007’s film adventures. Only 60 limited edition bookable private trips will be available for purchase later this year. Full details of the itinerary, which will allow travellers to follow in Bond’s footsteps, will be announced in March 2023.

What to expect? Here’s a teaser.

London—>France—>Italy—>Monaco

From London to Chantilly: The experience starts in London, home of Bond, and will span arts and culture, action and adventure, with luxury touches throughout. Guests will then head to picturesque Chantilly, home to Europe’s oldest and most prestigious equestrian centre and the location of the stunning Château de Chantilly, featured prominently in A View to a Kill (1985) as the lavish estate of villain Max Zorin.

Just as Bond visited in search of answers as to what made Zorin’s horses so successful, guests will do the same with their own privately guided visit of the 2,000-hectare Race Horse Training Centre, where 2,500 thoroughbred horses train every day.

Privilieged access to Les Aigles track will allow guests to witness the morning exercise before a private meeting with professional jockeys and trainers. In the afternoon, they’ll saddle up for a horseriding adventure through Chantilly Forest.

Following the ride, guests will continue onto the Château de Chantilly itself and get a further feel for a Bond villain lair. Expert guides will lead guests through locations from the film, such as the Hall of Honour through which Bond and Jenny Flex stroll and the corridor where May Day intercepts Bond enroute to Zorin’s office.

A Lake Como Adventure: Italy’s gorgeous Lake Como will be the setting for the next leg of the adventure. From the private jetty of the hotel, guests take inspiration from James Bond in Licence To Kill (1989) and water ski along the Moltrasio shoreline, before jumping aboard a private seaplane to continue the expedition.

Take to the skies above the picturesque towns of Bellagio and Varenna, and SPECTRE agent Mr. White’s infamous lakeside home, Villa La Gaeta.

The journey continues as guests touch down, met by an iconic Bond wooden Riva boat and bottle of 007’s favourite, Champagne Bollinger.

Speed off in style to the iconic Villa del Balbianello from Casino Royale (2006) to stroll the terraced gardens before enjoying a private villa tour with exclusive insights into how they transformed the location for the film.

Monaco by Night: It would be impossible for Bond to visit Monaco without a trip to the Casino de Monte-Carlo, as featured in GoldenEye (1995). On the first night, guests will have VIP access and an opportunity to play a hand. They’ll be welcomed into the exclusive private gambling dens of the Casino, normally closed to the public, for an evening of elegant gaming. Sit down to a private lesson in a game of choice, perhaps Baccarat, like Pierce Brosnan’s Bond played against Xenia Onatopp.

“We’re incredibly honored to be working with the James Bond team in this first-of-its-kind travel partnership for the 007 brand. It’s part of Black Tomato’s DNA to take inspiration from other cultural phenomenon outside of the traditional travel space and to have the opportunity to work with arguably the biggest film franchise of all time is a huge privilege and special milestone for the company” says Tom Marchant, co-founder, Black Tomato.

“Curious by nature, it was important for us to take an inquisitive approach to this collaboration and in bringing to life the James Bond world, and we can’t wait to introduce this initial bold and breath-taking new itinerary to clients and discerning fans” adds Marchant.

At least for Bond fans, Christas comes more than once a year.

Visit BlackTomato for details and booking.