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https://palacioestorilhotel.com/wp-content/uploads/Bar_Estoril_Carta.pdf
By happenstance, this stock image focuses on the table I occupied.
Also part of my plan was to read chapter one of the first Bond novel.
I ordered a Negroni. A fine experience.
And my departing photo.
A highlight of a visit to Palácio Estoril Hotel is meeting José Diogo, a staple of the establishment and on screen presence in OHMSS handing Bond his room key.
Unfortunately not present for my experience, hopefully on board for yours.
https://www.facebook.com/PalacioEstorilHotel/photos/a.330618256951308/492328637446935/?type=3&locale=pt_PT&_rdr
Exiting Bar Palácio and facing the front entrance, there is a corridor to the immediate left with a display case and wall photographs recalling spies, Fleming, and the filming of OHMSS.
Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira. Private residence of the Marquesses of Fronteira.
Stock photo
Less than two miles from my hotel, easy getting over there one morning. I took a tour of the interior of the residence (most of it is open to the public including the library, dining room, chapel, and some other areas), a very enjoyable guide explained history and detail. Interesting stories shared on the artists contributing portraits on display. And even more interesting the lesser artisans who inserted comic and critical content into their figures and pictorials on the azulejos/tiles (animals taking on human activity; a brass instrument played from the trumpeter's own bottom). Picture taking not allowed in most of the main residence, except from the library looking down on the garden area.
Then I circuited through the exterior grounds and garden. Familiar spots there of course, and a couple other relatable sights.
Entrance and residence exterior street view
Tiles and Chapel
Pool adjoining the Garden
There was a single black swan present, the tour guide identified it as the only one in all of Portugal. I joked with her it was surely from New Holland, based on her explanations of historical influence in Portugal. Swans can mate for life so this was a bittersweet symbol relatable to Bond to see it on its own. Not least for the mirror image creating its spiritual mate on the structure.
Golden sculptures on site were for an exhibition held about a week after my visit. To me the ribbon-fold shape recalled the wedding ring James bought for Tracy.
Residence
Joalharia Ferreira Marques (Jewellery), Rossio, Lisbon, Portugal.
Early in the week after business I searched out the shop, took exterior photos and the PM daylight worked well. It was late enough to be closing time and I returned later in the week.
Street view
Frontage
There was a lurker out front, I snapped a picture of that as well.
My second visit was more early afternoon. Once I buzzed in, the owner was very nice to interact with and was patient with the Bond interest. On hand were a couple poster board images of OHMSS connections. A cinema fan, he was much more enthusiastic to share his feelings on his favorite film The Dirty Dozen. I mentioned Lee Marvin and he rattled off the the cast starting with Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, and the rest.
I bought a bracelet for my wife and was free to take photos while he packaged it up and did paperwork for the customs and tax recovery. Realized I had the wedding ring replica prop in my bag, and took a couple images to represent.
Interior
OHMSS artifacts
Stock image
Is that the Q Swatch on a Spectre NATO? Nice touch there. Just on the OHMSS props, the hotel room key Diogo hands to Lazenby is a specific type - a metal fob with a ball on one end, and it's possible that exact key fob may've been reused as the sliding lever knob on the control panels at Kananga's lair entrance (which ended up in several Doctor Who episodes). It's definitely the same design key fob reused as a lever.
Glad to share @CommanderRoss, believe it or not I have two additional significant OHMSS locations to represent.
25 de Abril Bridge runs from Lisbon south to Almada. Originally Ponte Salazar/Salazar Bridge from 1966 after the Prime Minister initiator of the project. As of 1974 celebrating the date of revolution. Known as Ponte sobre o Tejo/Bridge over the Tagus.
Some shared associations for color and design and construction with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, both in California.
And the reverse view/return trip to Lisbon.
Then later in the 90s and after they added lanes. Plus installed a railway below. So some additional structure for those I expect.
Arrábida top road and Arrábida Natural Park.
I was encouraged from Lisbon to drive east and then south across the Vasco da Gama Bridge to travel clockwise for the best experience circuiting Arrábida top road (and the direction seen in the film). Good advice. Still, considering that and available time I crossed south on the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge and drove the road both directions first east, then west.
Always a pity to hear news of longstanding Vegas locations being demolished.
Posted this article on the previous page on the Tropicana.
When it opened in 1957 at a cost of $15 million, the Tropicana was one of Las Vegas's most luxurious hotels Credit: Richard I'Anson/The Image Bank Unreleased
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The Tropicana casino featured in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, starring Sean Connery Credit: The Kobal Collection
Guests are invited to gamble for one final time before the casino closes Credit: Brian Prahl/Splash News
The Tropicana hosted Frank Sinatra and other Rat Pack stars Credit: Screen Archives/Moviepix Casino Royale
The owner of the longtime favourite, currently operated by Best Western, is planning to build a new 699ft tall resort on the plot.
Breaks my heart to see these iconic/historic locations disappear - is nothing sacred anymore?!