It's the most wonderful time of the year! It's May the 4th! This year I will be spending May the 4th and Revenge of the 5th in a suburb of Baltimore, in my cousins fully furnished basement marathoning all 10 movies (I include Rogue One), snacking on Outpost Mix and Bantha Milk.
If you have the opportunity to travel this year for May the Fourth, I would highly recommend going to Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios. I finally went and had an amazing time. If you have the Sims: Journey to Batuu expansion pack this is literally the layout of the game, so that was nerdtastically cool and the rides were cool! If you want a slightly more authentic trip into the movies try these places.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace - Tatooine
Beware of Jawas and Tusken Raiders if you choose this real desert that inspired the dual sun planet and home of the Luke Skywalker. Sidi Driss Hotel in Matmata, Tunisia was painstakingly recreated with the help of a fan from France to make you feel like you are in the Lars Homestead. Djerba Island has some beautiful non Star Wars themed hotels. It is also a great place to start a tour of the many Star Wars filming sites around the area including the true desert city of Tataouine where Anakin and his mother lived in the Mos Espa Slave Quarters and Chinni to check out the rocky terrain of the infamous Pod Race.
Episode 2: Attack of the Clones- Naboo
Not everything was built specifically for Star Wars. If you happen to visit Seville, Spain, take a trip over to Plaza de Espana. This was the real life and CGI enhanced city of Theed on the planet of Naboo where Padme and Anakin walk through before heading to the palace in the Lake Country. If you would like to visit her palace as well, you will need a Eurail pass to take you to Lenno, Italy. Villa Balbianello was the filming location for Anakin and Padme's wedding. Today you can visit the villa for 22 euros...or you can plan your own nuptials there as well.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith- Mustafar
It might not look it at first glance, but Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, is the backdrop for the epic lightsaber battle that triggered the final turn of Jedi Anakin Skywalker to Sith Lord Darth Vader. This active volcano was covered in CGI lava to make it look more menacing, but it is perfectly safe to visit. Take a tour, a cable car, or even a jeep, just make sure that you maintain the high ground!
Episode IV: A New Hope- Yavin 4
If you want to take a visit to the Rebel base on Yavin's fourth moon, it may be a little hard to find. But, if you visit Tikal National Park in Guatemala, you are headed in the right direction. The ancient Mayan temples that you find there were used in ariel shots. There are lots of tours that will lead you through the jungles and give the true history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit for the day, experience sunrise or sunset, helicopter tours and even complete a weeklong hike.
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back- Hoth
If you think you can survive the cold, saddle up your TaunTaun and head to Finse, Norway. It may be hardly recognizable in the summer, but this was the filming location for the ice planet of Hoth where Luke Skywalker almost met his untimely demise. Hotel Finse 1222 is the same hotel that housed the cast and crew during filming. I highly recommend that you go during their annual Star Wars event.
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi- Endor
You might want to carry a little statue of C3-P0 to ensure safe passage and to let the Ewoks know that you are friendly as you travel though the Redwood National and State Parks in California. Some of the actual areas of have been deforested, but if listen carefully, you may still hear the spirit of the Ewoks celebrating the fall of the Empire.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens- Takodana
If you are looking for some information or safe passage to another planet you can ask Maz Kanata. Her castle and the subsequent dogfight where Poe showed off his impressive flying skills were filmed in Keswick. You won't find Maz's castle, as that was edited it later but you can still visit the lake surrounded by more greenery that you never knew existed in the galaxy.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi- Ahch-To
If you are looking for a place to relax and contemplate the meaning of the universe or to draw a stronger connection to the force, look no further than the Skellig Michael in County Kerry, Ireland. The monastery, which is not run by turtle faced nuns, is open to the public but the six hour journey will test your endurance as you traverse via boat over the rough seas and then hike to the top.
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker- Pasaana
What is the best way to celebrate the magnificence of the space odyssey than to participate in a Festival of the Ancestors. No one will judge you in you start to dance while visiting Wadi Rum desert in Jordan. Jeep tours are offered into this UNESCO World Heritage Site, or you can spend the night camping under the stars.
Whether you choose to explore the rugged landscapes of Tatooine, the icy terrain of Hoth or the majestic beauty of Naboo, visiting these destinations allows fans to immerse themselves in the rich and divers worlds of Star Wars like never before. If you are ready to start your adventure, drop me a line!
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