Graphic: Travel to a galaxy far, far away (without leaving Earth)

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Star Wars Inspired Travel Destinations

 

The box office numbers don’t lie: there certainly has been an awakening in the force. Lightsabers and spaceships are a bit hard to come by, but you can travel to a galaxy far, far away… without even leaving Earth’s atmosphere.

Star Wars Planet – Jakku

Earthly destination – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Jakku is the desolate, desert-covered planet where fans first meet Finn, Rey, and BB-8 in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. To capture these scenes for the film, the crew traveled to the desert near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Get out of this world – Desert Safari in the Nizwa Region

You’ll be transported to the desert Jakku when you head out on safari in the Nizwa Region, just a short drive away from Abu Dhabi. While you probably won’t stumble across the Millennium Falcon, you can take on the terrain with a modified 4×4 thrill known as ‘dune bashing’.

Stay on Earth – Check out Hotels in Abu Dhabi

 

Star Wars Planet – Takodana

Earthly destination – Lancaster, United Kingdom

The planet of Takodana is dotted with small lakes and covered with lush forests. This picturesque destination on the outskirts of the galaxy is home to Maz Kanata and her castle. You can get a taste of Takodana by visiting the filming location: Lancaster, United Kingdom.

Get out of this world – Carnforth Canal Walks

You’ll find several walking routes winding throughout Lancaster. Providing the perfect opportunity to explore the landscape that is, in essence, Takodana. The Carnforth Canal Walks are all under 5 miles and guide through the United Kingdom’s natural wonders: the Forest of Bowland as well as Arnside and Silverdale.

Stay on Earth – Check out Hotels in Lancaster

 

Star Wars Planet – Starkiller Base

Earthly destination – Helsinki, Finland

If you find yourself pulled to the dark side, then traveling to a location that harkens to the First Order’s deadly Starkiller Base is in your destiny. Even though Poe Dameron and the Resistance successfully imploded the planet-sized weapon, you can still get a taste of what life on the Starkiller Base was like by visiting Helsinki, Finland.

Get out of this world – Snowmobile tours

Venture out into the cold wilderness with a guided snowmobile tour. Numerous reputable tour groups are centered in Helsinki, where adventurers can take trips ranging from a few hours to several days. If you’re a padawan when it comes to handling a snowmobile, an expert guide will be the perfect master to make sure your excursion is completely safe.

Stay on Earth – Check out Hotels in Helsinki

 

Star Wars Planet – D’Qar

Earthly destination – Gloucester, United Kingdom

For those drawn to the light side, a visit to the Resistance base on D’Qar would be the ultimate adventure. D’Qar’s rolling green hills and sprawling landscapes provide the perfect home for the core of the fight against the First Order. The scenes featuring D’Qar in The Force Awakens were filmed in Gloucester, United Kingdom.

Get out of this world – Royal Air Force Station Greenham Common

The Royal Air Force Greenham Common, or RAF Greenham Common, was officially closed in 1993 after the end of the Cold War, but visitors can still tour the base. Specifically, the Greenham Common airbase and its silo area were used as the backdrop for the Resistance on D’Qar.

Stay on Earth – Check out Hotels in Gloucester

 

Star Wars Planet – Ahch-To

Earthly eestination – Skellig Michael, Ireland

Even though we don’t see Ahch-To until the very close of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it certainly is one of the most memorable landscapes from the entire film. This is heavily attributable to the fact that it’s our (and Rey’s) first glimpse at Luke Skywalker. You can recreate the emotional moment where the two meet with a visit to Great Skellig, Ireland. While you’ll need to stay on the mainland for the bulk of your visit, a day trip to visit the island where the scene was filmed is a must-do for any fan.

Get out of this world – Boat tours to the Skelligs Rock

Boat trips to Skellig Michael depart daily from Portmagee marina at 10:00AM. You’ll soak in the sights on the 45-minute ride to the islands and spend over 2 hours exploring Skellig Micheal and the centuries old monastery that calls the island home.

Stay on Earth – Check out Hotels in Dublin

 

Movie stills are owned, trademarked, and copyright by Lucasfilm Ltd.


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