Romance is in the air in Venice, where Daniel Craig and Eva Green are currently shooting scenes for Casino Royale. The buff Bond star was at the helm as he took his beautiful Swiss-French co star for a boat-ride down the famous Grand Canal. Daniel, who has undergone rigorous training for his role as the super spy, and 25-year-old Eva, who plays MI6 assistant Vesper Lynd, have been globe-trotting for their much-anticipated movie – an adaptation of Ian Fleming's first 007 novel. The film's exotic locations include the Bahamas, South Africa, and most recently Prague, where Daniel was last week seen brandishing a huge machine gun. There were no such violent scenes in Venice, however, where the actors were clearly enjoying the lagoon's charms.
With its 150 winding canals and 400 bridges, the Italian hot spot is one of the most picturesque in Europe and the traditional haunt of honeymooners and lovers. At its heart lies St Mark's Square, dubbed by Napoleon as the "finest drawing room in Europe." Here visitors, and infamous numbers of pigeons, flock to see the sights.
The majestic Basilica of San Marco is one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture and filled with treasures, including a gold altarpiece. There's no better place to soak up the square's atmosphere than the legendary Café Florian, a favourite haunt of Casanova and Proust, where you can listen to an orchestra as you sip your espresso.
A romantic way to spend the evenings is on one of the Grand Canal's terraced restaurants with a view of the church of Santa Maria della Salute and the gondolas bobbing by. The most renowned include the Gritti Palace and the Danieli, two of Venices most luxurious hotels. Pre-dinner drinks, however, must be had at Truman Capote and Orson Welles' former hangout, Harry's Bar, which is famed for its bellinis.
The city can get hot and crowded in the summer, so those in the know head to the Lido, the location for the Venice Film Festival, where they can take a dip in the sea. This long stretch of shoreline along the Adriatic has a choice of decadent places to stay, including the art nouveau Hotel des Bains which featured in the movie Death In Venice.
Photo: Rex
Photo: Rex
