Alas, I can’t claim to be a Bond Girl.

But in honor of the 50th anniversary of James Bond films — with the latest, “Skyfall,” opening worldwide — I decided to tour Bond-related sites in and around London. After all, Bond is the longest-running movie franchise in history. From clothes to cars to champagne, the fictional character of James Bond especially comes alive here.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the first Bond book, “Casino Royale,” penned in just two months in Jamaica by British author Ian Fleming. It was published a year later, in 1953, the first of 14 novels in the series, which introduced the world to thrilling, high-octane entertainment, including vodka martinis, fast cars, beautiful women, intrigue, glamour, gambling, high-tech gadgets, spies and assassinations. It also introduced a cast of characters, including the exotic Bond Girls, Q, M and Miss Moneypenny. The first Bond movie, “Dr. No,” opened in 1962 and is renowned for Sean Connery’s introduction: “The name’s Bond: James Bond.”