The letter from "M" from the movie Casino Royale that Bond receives in Montenegro. The letter, that...
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Villa del Balbianello, Lenno, Como, Italy
![Villa del Balbianello, Italy photo © Natalya](https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/sites/default/files/styles/semi_width_image/public/images/product/tr008-villa-del-balbianello.jpg?itok=yt_eA0mS)
![One of the gardens of Villa del Balbianello photo © Panoramio / G. Mirgovi](https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/sites/default/files/styles/semi_width_image/public/images/product/tr008-villa-del-balbianello-garden.jpg?itok=ufkJOM2s)
Villa del Balbianello is located next to Lake Como, Italy. In the spring of 2006, the movie Casino Royale was filmed in front of the villa. The villa doubles as a hospital where James Bond (Daniel Craig) is recovering, together with Vesper (Eva Green) and where the Swiss banker comes to get the code to transfer the money.
Built for Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini at the end of the XVIII century, the Villa stands on the tip of a steep promontory overlooking Lake Como, almost opposite Bellagio. Today, the villa has the appearance desired by its last owner, the explorer Guido Monzino, with a rich collection of Chinese, African and pre-Colombian art, precious English and French furniture of the 1700s and the small museum with documents and mementoes of his expeditions. Yet the true masterpiece is the panoramic terraced garden dominated by the elegant "loggia" with three arches rising on the highest point of the promontory.
The same villa can also be seen in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones.
The Villa is now owned by Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (FAI). A private, non-profit trust, FAI receives sites of historic, artistic and naturalist value through donations, bequests or loans for use, restores them, opens them to the public and ensures that everyone can enjoy them.
Address
Via Comoedia - Lenno, COMO
Opening times
Mid-March - Mid-November: 10 am - 6 pm
Open every day, except Mondays and Wednesday (unless public holidays).
Last entrance time: half an hour before closing.
Find hotels near Villa Balbianello
Visit for route descriptions and more information the official website (see below).
Comments
I like the way this Villa looks. It's very beautiful!
I wish I could visit it.
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Villa del Balbianello is absolutely stunning, and well worth a visit.
The Villa and the surrounding grounds are beautiful and the view across the lake is absolutely breathtaking. The atmosphere is very peaceful and relaxed and you are able to explore the grounds and the building at your own leisure. All the areas used in Casino Royale are accessible to the public.
Whilst you can’t actually stay in the Villa itself, there is fantastic and reasonably priced accommodation in the form of the Hotel San Giorgio, Lenno, which is walking distance from the Villa.
Whilst you can walk to the Villa from Lenno, I’d suggest getting a boat either there or back as you get a wonderful view from the water as the boat passes alongside the promontory.
A flight to Milan form the UK was under £40, then a train trip to Como, which was very reasonable. You can catch a bus from Como to Lenno, although beware; it is not for the faint of heart!
If you want to enjoy a slice of the Bond lifestyle, but haven’t the budget for the Ocean Club, this is highly recommended.
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