From James Bond’s beaches to Hollywood’s Westerns, a Spanish voyage full of cinematic discoveries.
There is something rather special about arriving in a Spanish port by sea. The colourful buildings, bustling squares, narrow streets and wonderful architecture all seem to have stories waiting to be discovered.
My latest voyage aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral took me along the coast of Spain, exploring beautiful places, meeting lovely people and, of course, finding connections with the movies.
One of my favourite moments was visiting the beach in Cádiz where Halle Berry made that unforgettable entrance from the sea in Die Another Day. In the film, Cádiz was transformed into Havana, with its golden sands and historic waterfront providing the perfect Caribbean setting.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist paddling in the very same water. Although, unlike Halle Berry, I decided it was far too cold for a swim!
Spain has played a remarkable part in Hollywood history. Its spectacular deserts, rugged mountains and wide-open landscapes have provided the backdrop for countless Westerns, particularly the famous spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone. Those films were themselves influenced by Japanese samurai cinema — a fascinating connection I explore in my talk Samurai, Cowboys & Jedi.
Back aboard Balmoral, I was taking audiences on a different cinematic journey, from the pioneers of silent film to the glamour of the 1920s.
But one of the greatest pleasures of these voyages is meeting people who share my enthusiasm for cinema. There is always someone with a favourite film, a much-loved star or a wonderful memory of going to the pictures.
And that’s what I love about combining travel with the movies. Sometimes you discover a place you’ve only ever seen on screen. Sometimes you find yourself standing where a famous scene was filmed.
And occasionally, you even get to paddle in James Bond’s Caribbean — without ever leaving Spain!
