007 Travel story: Madrid (SPAIN) 2017, day 3/3: From Madrid with love
February 17, 2018 0 By 007 TravelersThis is a Madrid 007 travel story 3/3. In order to read our Madrid 007 travel story from the day one, click here
Wednesday 19 July 2017
Another hot and sunny day in Madrid.
We started our day with taxi ride to Hotel Villa Magna, where photo call of “Skyfall” was held in 2012. Daniel Craig (James Bond), Javier Bardem (Silva), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny) and director Sam Mendes attended.
Sam Mendes, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris and Daniel Craig Photo: Getty Images |
After meeting hotel’s public relations people in the lobby, we took a couple of photographs inside and went back out.
Then we continued to other magnificent hotel, Hotel Santo Mauro, where “Casino Royale” (2006) photocall took place. Daniel Craig (James Bond), Caterina Murino (Solange Dimitrios), Mads Mikkelsen (Le Chiffre) and director Martin Campbell attended this event.
Daniel Craig, Caterina Murino, Mads Mikkelsen and Martin Campbell Photo: Getty Images |
After introducing ourselves, we got a nice guided walking tour in and around the lovely hotel. It would have been really pleasant to take a drink at their beautiful garden terrace, but we had to rush to lunch, because of a table reservation at one o’clock.
Look, is that Daniel Craig? 🙂 |
Taxi found Cava Baja 35, which is the address of Casa Lucio restaurant. This was the place where Pierce Brosnan had eaten years ago and we had even a photograph of it with us. Time was approx. 12 o’clock and we knocked the closed door and trying to make sure if our table reservation was valid (we booked it by phone a previous night via their website and we wasn’t 100 percent sure if the booking was successful or not…).
A man opened the door, but he didn’t speak English that much, but he confirmed that our reservation was ok and said that we should come at one o’clock. We walked to a bar near-by and ordered a beer. After one hour we went back and we were guided upstairs, where our table was.
We had chicken “Pollo Ajillo 1/2” (14.00 EUR) and meat balls “Albondigas” (18.00 EUR) with red wine “Copa Vino” (3,50 EUR / glass), “Agua” 3,50 EUR / glass) and desserts ice cream “Helado Variado” (6,50 / each). Both our meals were wonderful.
“Pollo Ajillo 1/2” |
“Albondigas” |
“Helado Variado” |
Mika, Lucio Blázquez and Pirita |
Autograph of Lucio Blázquez |
“Pierce Brosnan´s table” |
You could say that air was quite hot again, when we went outside and walked towards Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid). A good thing was that there was at least some wind every now and then and also buildings gave some shadow.
The Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family at the city of Madrid, but it is only used for state ceremonies. King Felipe VI and the Royal Family do not reside in the palace, choosing instead the more modest Palace of Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid. (Wikipedia)
Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid) |
Santa María la Real de La Almudena |
An article by Oscar Rubio in Cinemanía magazine |
Nice logos 🙂 |
Then we walked to place Teatro Real de Madrid (Royal Theatre) where “SPECTRE“s (2015) Madrid premiere was held. Daniel Craig (James Bond), Monica Bellucci (Lucia Sciarra) and director Sam Mendes participated in this event.
Photo: vivademadrid.com |
Photo: entradas.com |
After taking some pics we moved forward to place where “Skyfall“s (2012) premiere was: Teatro Español in front of Plaza de Santa Ana. Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem (Silva), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson and director Sam Mendes were there back then and of course Oscar was in the audience 🙂
Photo: cinemania.elmundo.es |
Photo: Komodo comunication |
Photo: Komodo comunication |
We had a very nice chat with Oscar and we enjoyed a couple of beers with peanuts and olives. It would have been so lovely to stay longer. Hopefully we can meet Oscar soon again. We have so much in common!
Pirita, Oscar Rubio Castillo and Mika |
This was our last evening in Madrid for now, so we went back to our hotel and to eat this trip’s last dinner. We chose Italian pizza restaurant “La Tagliatella“, Pirita had “Pizza Tonno” (11,55 EUR) and Mika “Pizza Tropicale” (11,55 EUR), with glasses of wine (2,80 EUR / glass) and bottles of water (2,15 EUR / bottle). The food was quite OK. This was a great travel experience, too short however:)
Our flight back to Finland was next morning and we didn’t have any time to do anything more than just travel to the airport.
Thank you Madrid, for everything!
See more 007 TRAVEL STORIES here
- 007 Filming location: The route Bond drives in Hamburg when Elliot Carver calls him / Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
- Daniel Craig ojensi parhaan sivuosan Oscarin Mahershala Alille
- Billie Eilish will perform the title song for “No Time to Die”
- Fellow Agent: Andreas Pott / James Bond Club Deutschland
- 007 Vehicle: Chevrolet Impala / Live And Let Die (1973)
- 007-tapahtuma: License to Swing – SUMU Big Band – konsertti (9. ja 13. helmikuuta 2020)
- 007 Filming location: Rene Mathis’ villa / Quantum of Solace (2008)
- Elements 007: A cinematic James Bond installation in Sölden, Austria
- 007 Related item: The Saint photo of Caron Gardner with autograph and dedication
- 007 Filming location: Fort Antoine Theatre / GoldenEye (1995)
About The Author
Pirita and Mika travel around the world searching for James Bond filming locations. Since 2010.