Your mission, should you choose to accept it: fast cars, casinos, diamonds.
LONDON, April 2007 – With the DVD release of the latest Bond film just out, images of car chases, casinos and swanky hotels start coming to mind. If you are an aspiring secret agent, satellite navigation pioneer Navman has created a NavPix guide to the ultimate European locations where you can live out your spying fantasies. Navman’s Top Ten Secret Agent NavPix will not only give you ideas of potential mission destinations, but will also show you how to get there.
Navman has discovered 10 great locations across Europe guaranteed to get any wannabe secret agent’s adrenaline pumping, and turned them into NavPix so that, as well as letting you know exactly what you’ll find in each one, you’ll be given clear and precise directions how to get there. You can find the NavPix Guide to Secret Agent Locations at www.navman.com/navpix - just look for the album entitled, ‘Top Ten Secret Agent Locations’.
From the car enthusiast to the roulette expert, Navman’s Top Ten will direct budding spies to the perfect location to enact any secret agent fantasies or to carry out a bit of research into your next deadly assignment. From an ice hotel in Sweden to a racing course in Spain, a diamond museum in Amsterdam to an alpine resort in Switzerland, you’re sure to find something in the Guide that will provide the ideal backdrop to any spying mission.
Navman’s award-winning N-range, featuring NavPix, is available now in the United Kingdom from leading e-tailers and high street stores.
Navman’s NavPix Guide to Secret Agent Inspired Locations
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: racing tracks, gambling, diamonds...
Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Located in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the hotel’s isolated setting is the perfect backdrop for a secret meeting or a lover’s tryst. With new suites designed each year by different artists and designers you can be assured that your bedroom will ooze ice-cool, secret agent chic. The Ice Hotel also offers dog sled rides and snowmobile excursions for those of you who are keen to re-create your very own high speed chase and get the adrenalin pumping. Just remember, the hotel is only open between December and April, come spring the hotel melts away to become part of the rushing rapids of the Torne River.
Ascari Race Track, Ronda, Spain
Every self-respecting secret agent needs the skills to make a hasty getaway from a precarious situation with a spot of nifty driving. What better place to sharpen up your manoeuvres than at the Ascari Race Course, the longest circuit in Spain. Nestled in a breathtaking mountain location, north east of Malaga, the race track has been specially designed to test even the greatest of drivers and encourage maximum speed. The course organises experience days for you to perfect your driving skills with a trained expert and if this is not enough to lure you to the track you will also get the opportunity to drive some very flash and very fast cars.
Casino Barrière de Deauville, France
At the end of a long hard day spent fending off international enemies what better way to unwind than with a spin on the tables at one of France’s oldest casinos. Dating back to 1912, the Casino Barrière de Deauville is an elegant casino where you can rub shoulders with the Parisian jet-set over a game of roulette. If luck is not on your side at the tables the casino also boasts a theatre, three restaurants and a nightclub; so cash in your chips, don your most stylish tuxedo and set about wooing a glamorous lady.
U Bootmuseum, Hamburg, Germany
The life of a secret agent doesn’t guarantee an easy ride; sooner or later you are bound to find yourself out in a spot of troubled water so best to be prepared for any situation. The U Bootmuseum in Hamburg provides the perfect opportunity to investigate the nooks and crannies of a former enemy vessel. The Speicherstadt in Hamburg is the world’s oldest warehouse complex and it is now home to a U-434 Russian Submarine which is open to the public for exploration. In addition to the submarine the warehouse complex also offers an open air theatre and a spice museum; but budding spies might be better off spending their time at the Hamburg Dungeon where they can carry out some research into the torture techniques that might be applied to them if they are captured by any adversaries.
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Many an enemy hide-out has been discovered at a seemingly peaceful alpine village. If you want to uncover an enemy lair and improve your skiing skills then the picturesque skiing resort of Grindelwald is the perfect base for an up-and-coming secret agent. From the town you can access over 1888km of piste with fabulous views over the Swiss countryside. And, if your skiing skills need a little bit of work there is a good ski school to brush up on your techniques. The resort is also host to the world’s longest sledge run. The 15km run would provide the perfect speedy getaway should you need mountain escape route.
The National Motor Sports Museum, Beaulieu, UK
If you are having a little trouble deciding which car best befits an international man of mystery the National Motor Sport Museum, Beaulieu should help you make your mind up. Located in the heart of the beautiful New Forest in the South of England, few car exhibitions in the world can match the unique collection of this world renowned museum. Its extensive display of cars is guaranteed to keep the vintage enthusiast right through to modern-day speed freaks enthralled. The museum also hosts an impressive collection of props from the films of everyone’s favourite fictional agent, James Bond.
Riesenrad Ferris Wheel, Vienna
This beautiful ferris wheel dates back to 1896 and was designed by the British engineer Walter Basset to celebrate the then Emperor Franz Josef the First’s Golden Jubilee. The Riesanrad, meaning ‘Giant Wheel’ offers a panoramic view of the city of Vienna and is ideal location to hold a secret meeting or rendezvous. The iconic ferris wheel has appeared in a number of films including the 1987 Bond classic The Living Daylights. Once you’ve taken the ride you can also take the opportunity to visit the rest of the attractions that the Vienna Wurschtlprater fun fair has to offer.
Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Keeping state secrets can be a tiring affair, even the most intrepid of spies deserves the opportunity of a night spent in true luxury. Built in 1864, the Hotel de Paris is one of the most glamorous hotels in Monte Carlo with suites befitting a secret agent. The Principality of Monaco is the perfect location to mingle with the rich and famous but below the glittering façade all may not be as it first appears… Keep your wits about you and remember to order a room with a balcony so you can make a midnight escape should your slumber be disturbed by any unwelcome intruders.
Coster Diamond Factory, Amsterdam
Most Secret Agents are bound to come into contact with diamonds at some stage of their career. Whether you are placing a piece of jewellery round the neck of a beautiful lady or unearthing an international smuggling ring these precious stones are likely to come into your radar. What better place to do a little research into their origins than in the world’s diamond capital, Amsterdam. The Coster Diamond Factory, founded in 1840, opens its doors to the public seven days a week for free guided tours available in more than 25 languages. During the tour the process of cutting and polishing diamonds is thoroughly explained and afterwards you have the opportunity to browse the factory’s extensive collection. The factory is located right in the heart of Amsterdam between the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum so there are also plenty of other attractions to keep the inquisitive mind entertained.
Sant Elmo Beach, Sardinia, Italy
This beautiful beach is one of Italy’s best kept secrets, located in the southern part of the idyllic Costa Rei cost in Sardinia it is the perfect place to unwind after the stresses and exertions of a long, hard mission. Sant Elmo Beach is full of striking rock formations that shield off picturesque white sandy bays from any prying eyes. All around is sparkling aquamarine water so clear you could see any underwater enemies coming from a mile-off. Now all you need is your very own bikini-clad goddess and the fantasy will be complete.
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