With the most anticipated film release of the year happening in December we’ve been inspired by otherworldly global destinations. While odds are we won’t be getting a spot on the manned trip to Mars, and we can’t quite raise the funds for that Virgin Galactic space flight either, we’re looking a little closer to home for our Star Wars: The Force Awakens inspiration.
Tatooine – Death Valley
With its vast desert of sand dunes, snow-capped mountains and colourful rock layers, a visit to Death Valley National Park (where scenes for Return of the Jedi and A New Hope were filmed) is like visiting Tatooine (a fictional arid world in the galaxy’s Outer Rim). Visit on a self-drive tour of California from San Francisco, which also includes the Pacific Coast, Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The California Western Panorama Tour costs from £1,099 pp.
Departures 25 December to 20 March. Call DialAFlight on 0844 556 6060.
Kashyyyk: home of the Wookiees – Guilin
The limestone karst mountains of Guilin served as the otherworldly backdrop to the tropical, forested Wookiee planet in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. TransIndus’ China Experience spends four days in the region, exploring the mountains, rivers and towns that dot this unusual landscape, as well as visiting Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Xian – think Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, pandas and Terracotta Warriors.
The 14-day tour costs from £2,395 pp. Departs 24 March. TransIndus on 0844 879 3960.
The Lake Region of Naboo – Italy’s Lake Como
Featured as the romantic Naboo lakeside location for the secret wedding of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala in Episode II Attack of the Clones, Villa del Balbianello is equally as enchanting to visitors from this world. Enjoy a half-day excursion to the villa by private boat during a seven-night holiday that also offers optional visits to Milan, St. Moritz, Lake Orta, Isola Bella and more (additional cost).
Departing April to October, Grand Hotel on Lake Como costs from £725 pp including BA flights, transfers, B&B at the four-star Grand Hotel Menaggio and the services of local representatives. Call Voyages Jules Verne on 020 3553 3722.
Seville for Star Wars Fans
The impressive mansion buildings lining the Plaza de Espana in Seville have featured in various blockbuster films over the years. Most notable are the appearances in two popular Star Wars films: The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Star Wars aficionados can stay a short stroll away from the filming location in a centrally-located two-bedroom apartment (property id: 4267) with two double bedrooms, a pretty courtyard garden and free Wi-Fi, so you can watch Star Wars films galore after a day exploring the city.
A three-night stay costs from £216 total/£54 pp. Flights extra. Call Spain-Holiday.com on 020 3384 7066.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is released in UK cinemas on 17 December. Set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, the long-awaited seventh installment of the popular Sci-Fi saga reunites classic stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford in a new fight against the Dark Side.
