Thrilling Cities

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It’s a quirky collection with the best pieces being the ones where he is talking to someone, or making his own direct observances. There are nevertheless some fact based moments in the collection which read as if they were taken from a brochure or news article. Fleming collected many such ephemera. I can see him laughing over his scrambled eggs at his expenses paid trip, and smiling as he ruminates over the extravagance of it all between deep puffs of his gold banded cigarettes. Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

Round the world with Ian Fleming – even on paper the prospect is enticing. Hong Kong, Macao, Tokyo, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna, Geneva, Naples, Monte Carlo – these are his thrilling cities. He writes about them brilliantly, impressionistically, as no one else would or could, ostensibly for our entertainment yet not without giving us the benefit of some expert observation. P53: At the same time, I examined his and saw nothing but happy birdlike eyes and evidence of a rather hasty shave in those difficult comers just below the nose.Food is indifferent, waiters rude, strip-lighting hideous, and musicians play nonstop, except for a pause to push a plate in your face. Originally published in 1963, this edition restores the original observations, maps, and language used at that time. In Tokyo Fleming meets up with Somerset Maugham, adding that “our friendship is based on the fact he also wishes to be married to my wife.” In Geneva he has dinner with Noel Coward and Charlie Chaplin, and in Capri with Gracie Fields, who sounds a hoot. For complete details on 007 in New York, including the recipe for Scrambled Eggs “James Bond”, visit this CommanderBond.net article. Discover the best hotels in Tuscany A souk in Marrakesh (Getty Images) 7. Marrakesh & The Sahara, Morocco

Here are some quotes. I won't say they're the best, just a few I grabbed from the online text to show his style. Fleming is very aware of what he has written and uses the words ‘biased’ and ‘cranky’ with regards to his views. Of Bahrein he says in the Hong Kong chapter, ‘Bahrein is, without question, the scruffiest international airport in the world. The washing facilities would not be tolerated in a prison and the slow fans in the ceilings of the bedraggled hutments hardly stirred the flies.’Following up our examination of The Diamond Smugglers, Ian Fleming’s investigation into the diamond smuggling business, CommanderBond.net now moves on to the author’s 1963 collection of travel memoirs, Thrilling Cities. Things he loathed (spoiler: they're a lot): people who talk to him during travels, communism/communists, many genres of music (jazz and gypsy music above all), "boring" museums, winter, humid weather, hot climate, horses, Hawaiaan, people who don't wear/act their age (?), Hitler (yeah we do agree on this), Le Corbusier, squared buildings Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special. Where to stay The Alex* is a trendy boutique overlooking the Athens Riviera, while Hydra Town’s Phaedra Hotel* is small and romantic (booking well in advance).