Top 5: Destinations fit for spies

Washington's International Spy Museum © www.spymuseum.org

Best for spy museums: Washington

Washington is home to one of the best spy museums in the world - and the only one in the USA. The International Spy Museum showcases more than 200 gadgets, weapons, bugs, cameras, vehicles and technologies used for espionage throughout the world. Learn about invisible ink, buttonhole cameras and lipstick pistols while assuming a cover with ‘Operation Spy'. To put your newly learnt skills to the test, conduct video surveillance, carry out a polygraph test on a suspect agent and escape from a high-security compound.

Best for spy cover: Sweden

Perfect for underwater cover, the Utter Inn is a tiny red house on a lake in Sweden offering a single room 3m (9.8ft) below the surface. After arriving at the port of Västerås, you'll be taken 1km (0.6 miles) out to the hotel on Lake Mälaren. In true Bond style, you'll then be provided with an inflatable boat and instructions, and left alone. If you're lucky [read if you pay extra], the owner may serve you dinner. With only the most basic amenities (twin beds and a table), all you can do is gaze at the fishes or venture outside and paddle to the next uninhabited island.

Best for secret drinks: New York

PDT, or Please Don't Tell, in New York has to be one of the most top-secret drinking establishments we have come across. Situated under a run-of-the-mill hotdog eatery, entrance is via a vintage phone booth so undercover agents can gain access in total anonymity. Enter the booth, speak to the bartender via the phone, and if access is granted the back of the booth opens up to reveal sleek leather booths and perfectly poured cocktails. Ideal for a Martini, shaken not stirred, of course.

Best for spy intrigue: Moscow

One of Britain's most notorious spies was former high-ranking MI6 operative Kim Philby, who was a secret Soviet agent during the Cold War. In 1963, when Philby was exposed, he defected to Moscow, but was left a broken man, shunned and mistrusted by the KGB whom he'd loyally served for three decades. It was only upon his death in 1988 that Phil was granted the accolades he'd sought in life; he was awarded a hero's funeral when he was buried in Kuntsevo cemetery in the city's western suburbs.

Best for spy training: Arizona

Aspiring spies can live out their fantasy - whilst picking up a few tricks of the trade - by spending the weekend under strict training at a former CIA facility in Arizona, with Covert Ops. Under the tutorage of ex-US Special Forces officials, nurture your inner spy with close-quarter battle techniques, pistol marksmanship and unarmed self-defence. Once you've been thoroughly immersed in the training, put your newly acquired skills to the test in a challenging hostage situation.