In 1968, when the James Bond production team for 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' needed a film location suitable to act as the Headquarters for the head of SPECTRE, they had to come up with something spectacular. They had the pressure of a new actor playing Bond following Sean Connery's resignation from the role as well as one of the most iconic actors of all time, Telly Savalas, cast in to the role of Bond's Nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The location simply had to deliver.
When Ian Fleming wrote about the Blofeld lair in the original 1963 book he called it 'Piz Gloria', and the name stuck as the revolving restaurant at the top of the Schilthorn, the world's first in fact, is still known by that name. A nod to the fact that the production helped finance the final restaurant.
Visitors today access Piz Gloria via 3 cable cars with the penultimate cable car station also the place to find the amazing 'Thrill Walk', a steel walkway which clings to the side of sheer rock. Features on the walk include a crawl-through tunnel, glass-bottomed floor, rope and cattle grid.
No visit to this amazing location would be complete without taking time to enjoy a '007' burger in the revolving restaurant (don't worry, you won't get dizzy) and taking in the glorious Swiss air at the viewing platform.
Those prescribed with retail therapy will find an array of James Bond articles to buy, along with the Spy themed toilets and the a small museum dedicated to the fictional spy complete with cinema.
A visit to Piz Gloria is included on our day-off in Switzerland, along with many other treats throughout the tour.
Naturally the thrill walk is a 'must' for potential double-oh agents following lunch.
A brief 'time lapse video' of the revolving restaurant is incorporated in our 'Alps' promo video on YouTube - 2 minute Alps Promo
For a detailed itinerary of the Alps tour - click the link below or contact us for a no obligation chat
Moto Ventura Motorcycle Tours - Maximum Smiles Per Gallon
'Open Road... Open Mind'
Comentarios