Where was Casino Royale filmed?

This reboot of the secret-agent saga is remembered as much for its glamorous European backdrops as for its grit, which is why it remains a set-jetting favourite. Beyond the action, it lingers on two of Italy's most romantic settings, lending the story a beauty that fans love to seek out for themselves.

The agent recovers from his ordeal at the terraced gardens of Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como, Italy, a lakeside estate so cinematic it has served other sagas too. The finale then plays out in Venice, where a grand palazzo dramatically collapses into the Grand Canal, the city itself becoming the closing set. Two unmistakable Italian icons.

The two pair beautifully into a northern-Italy itinerary. Fans can take a boat to the Como villa, whose gardens are open seasonally to visitors, then travel on to Venice to wander the Grand Canal by vaporetto. It is a luxurious, unhurried route that captures the film's blend of romance and high stakes.