The 10 best vacations for Star Wars fans

Because space travel hasn’t yet taken off—no pun intended—traveling to a galaxy far, far away is out of reach for Star Wars devotees. Nevertheless, if you’re a die hard fanatic, there are ways to get your franchise fix right here on planet earth. Based on actual shooting locations, here are the 10 best vacations for Star Wars fans.

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The Artist’s Palette in Death Valley National Park

If you love the dry desert of Tatooine…
Death Valley National Park: Southern California
Although much of Tatooine was filmed amid the arid landscapes of Tunisia—itself a worthy destination if you have the time and money—R2D2 is famously abducted by those crafty Jawas at the Artist’s Palette, a gorgeous swirl of colors located in the Black Mountains of Death Valley in California and caused by the oxidation of metals over the course of many years. Other Death Valley attractions include Scotty’s Castle, Dante’s View—also a Star Wars location—the Salt Flats in Badwater Basin and more. Best of all, Death Valley is rarely crowded.

Tikal National Park, Guatemala | Flickr photo by Hector Garcia

If you love jungle-like Yavin…
Tikal National Park: Guatemala
It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but when the Millennium Falcon at last escapes the clutches of the Death Star in the original Star Wars, it can be seen zooming among the treetops of the planet Yavin—the secret location of the rebel base. The actual location is lush Tikal, an ancient Mayan citadel located within the rainforests of northern Guatemala. You won’t find any “rebel scum” hiding among the thousands of ruined structures, but you will see glimpses of a civilization that existed a long time ago, in a country far, far away…

Lake Como, Italy | Flickr photo by Matt Mechtley

If you love the greenery of Naboo…
Lake Como, Italy
Much of the prequels are set on Coruscant, a city occupying an entire planet and the capital at one time of both the Old and New Republic and the Galactic Empire, but in Anakin and Queen Amidala do sneak off to her home planet of Naboo to wed in secret at the end of Attack of the Clones. That picturesque location is Lake Como, which sits in the foothills of the Alps in Italy’s Lombardy region. Although you may not witness a wedding during your visit, be rest assured that love is in the air. Lake Como is a major resort area and couples from around the world visit as a romantic getaway.

Skellig Michael |Flickr photo by chb1848

If you love the verdant green landscapes of Ahch-To…
Skelling Michael: Ireland
Franchise fanatics cheered when Luke Skywalker finally revealed himself at the end of The Force Awakens. That lush green rock where Rey finally makes contact with the legendary Jedi is Skellig Michael, a small island off the southwest coast of Ireland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re green with envy just thinking about it, consider booking a trip to Ireland and cruising its splendid coastline where mossy green and breathtaking vistas are the norm. As for Skellig Michael itself, day trips happen during the summer months. Be on the lookout for puffin colonies!

Hardangerjøkulen Glacier in Finse, Norway | Flickr photo by Martin Talbot

If you love the icy splendor of Hoth…
Hardangerjøkulen Glacier in Finse, Norway
Although the Empire managed to track down the rebel alliance on Hoth—a remote glacial planet in a system of the same name—let’s all admit that the rebels were probably more than happy to escape that frozen tundra for sunnier climes. If you, on the other hand, have a hankering for subzero excursions get yourself to the tiny town of Finse, Norway which subbed for Hoth in the Empire Strikes Back. Access to the tiny town is available only via rail, but that’s just fine because it’s also an easy day trip from sublime Bergen.

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Iceland | Flickr photo by Moyan Brenn

If you love the lunar-like landscapes of Eadu…
Iceland
If you’re scratching your head right about now it means you haven’t been paying much attention to franchise spin-off Rogue One. Eadu is the planet where we first meet doomed heroine Jyn Erso. Those scenes were shot at Reynisfjara in southern Iceland near coastal Vik. Do yourself a favor and spend a week circumnavigating the island via the famed Ring Road and take in famous sights along the way including waterfall Gullfoss, the Jokulsarlon Lagoon, the Northern Lights and bumping Reykjavik.

Redwood National Forest in Northern California

If you love the lush forests of Endor…
Redwood National and State Parks: Northern California
George Lucas—himself a longtime Golden State resident—substituted the gorgeous Redwoods north of San Francisco for the forest moon of Endor where a pivotal fight scene took place in Return of the Jedi and where Lucas unleashed the cuddly Ewoks. Don’t miss a leisurely drive through the iconic Avenue of the Giants—home to the tallest trees on earth—wile away an afternoon in Victorian Ferndale, dig the hippie vibe at laid-back Arcata and get sprayed by ocean waves in the fabled Lost Coast via an afternoon road trip along Mattole Road.

Tagged: California, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico