No Time To Die – No time to spare, booking your next holiday in Mürren's Swiss Alpine resort

The ultimate Bond pilgrimage is Mürren

As we await the launch of the much-anticipated new Bond film, ‘No Time To Die’ – which sadly keeps being postponed due to the current climate – why not embark on your own adventure to visit the beautiful Swiss Alps for a pilgrimage to the site of one of Bond’s most memorable missions!

Much of James Bond’s 'On Her Majesty’s Secret Service' was set in the spectacular Swiss Alpine resort of Mürren, whose mountaintop revolving restaurant at the Schilthorn - Blofeld’s research station in the film - became an instant pilgrimage for Bond fans. Often imitated, it remains top of the list of the world’s Bond locations.

The beautiful car-free village was already celebrated as the cradle of Alpine ski racing before it hosted the most exciting ski chase in cinema history. For a taste of 007 heaven, start at the Schilthorn (2970m) with a delicious Bond Brunch in the revolving Piz Gloria Restaurant, where some of the original film décor has been preserved. The 45-minute revolution provides awesome views with the Bernese Oberland’s magnificent trio of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks dominating the foreground. Allow half an hour for the 007 Walk of Fame, pausing to enjoy the tribute plaques to the film’s key characters, stunt artists and directors before an obligatory selfie on the viewing platform for a cool memory.

Bond World, housed on the floor below the restaurant, is a fascinating homage to the world’s most famous spy, with film highlights, interactive games, simulated bob-sled chase and helicopter flight, and a wealth of trivia about the making of the film. The Skyline Shop is the best place for Bond-themed mementos and gifts, and the award-winning Bond loos are worth a visit, whether or not you need to go.

Mürren’s mid-mountain cable-car station, Birg (2677m), offers a Bond-worthy adrenalin rush in the form of the Thrill Walk – an airy gangway pinned to the side of the cliff, with a 20m reinforced glass platform, 10m cattle grid, 8m Nepal rope-bridge and an 8m crawl-through tunnel - above a 250m void for a real test of nerve.

Mürren is a compelling year-round destination for Bond addicts, skiers and lovers of Swiss Alpine charm and mountain scenery at its finest.

For Skiers: At 1650m, Mürren is the highest resort in the Bernese Oberland. Its blissfully uncrowded powder playground extends from the Schilthorn (2970m) to Lauterbrunnen (800m): dedicated nursery slopes for beginners, easy pistes from the Allmendhubel funicular, a mix of forgiving and more challenging slopes from Birg (2677m), a ski-cross trail at Winteregg, a vast Snowpark at high altitude with boxes, rails and kickers of all sizes. The magnificent black run from the Schilthorn summit is one of Europe’s top 10 must-ski pistes. Wide-ranging off-piste, ski touring and heli-skiing possibilities with a guide in the most beautiful surroundings.

For non-skiers: easily accessible mountain huts and bars to meet up with skiing companions. Snowshoeing and winter hiking trails, a 3km toboggan run, the Bond attractions. In the village: large ice-rink, and sports centre with Olympic pool, well-equipped gym, sauna and spa. Organised activities include regular yoga, zumba, Qi-Gong, Pilates and curling.

Prices from:

CHF50 (£43) per night in a 2-bedroom self-catered apartment

CHF70 (£60) per person per night (2 sharing a 1* guesthouse B&B)

Packages at Hotel Alpenruh start from CHF332 (£282) per person for 2 nights b&b (includes one breakfast at Piz Gloria), return lift pass to the top of the Schilthorn.

One 5-course dinner in the hotel and admission to the heated indoor pool in the village.

Bond attractions are free of charge and open year-round (weather permitting).

The Bond Brunch is CHF35 (£30) per adult and CHF20 (£17) per child

A one-day return trip to the Schilthorn from Mürren is CHF85.60 (£73) per adult

www.schilthorn.ch www.alpenruh-muerren/en

www.muerren.swiss

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