Real-life star wars vacation spots

Real-life star wars vacation spots

With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story headed to the cinemas on Dec 15, here is a lowdown on the movie's interplanetary real-life landscapes.

Time to start planning your holidays.

Here are three top spots for a Star Wars-inspired holiday.

 

Movie Still: A scene from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which was partly filmed in IcelandPhoto: WALT DISNEY PICTURES

ICELAND

Rogue One's protagonist Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) spent her childhood on planet Eadu in the Star Wars universe with her father. As an adult, she returns to it with the Rebel Alliance in her quest to find him.

The vast mountain ranges and lush greenery featured in Rogue One were shot by the Hjörleifshöfði and Hafursey mountains, east of the village of Vík in southern Iceland.

Last year's Star Wars: The Force Awakens was also partially filmed in northern Iceland, at Mývatn lake and Krafla volcano.

Experience a world of natural phenomena - gushing waterfalls, volcanoes and stunning landscapes at every turn.

The best time to visit is from February to March and September to October to catch the Northern Lights, and from June to August for the midnight sun.

With Insight Vacations' Natural Wonders of Iceland tour package, you can travel around the country ahead of the release of Star Wars Episode: VIII next December.

The movie also featurs Iceland's picturesque landscapes. A seven-day Scenic Islands and Northern Lights winter trip departing February or March next year is available from US$2,675 (S$3,800) a person.

 

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, Donnie Yen, 2016.Photo: LUCASFILM/WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

JORDAN

Jedha is a small desert moon, the spiritual home of the Jedi, which is currently occupied by the Empire.

It is also the primary home of warrior-monk Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen), and is the source of kyber crystals used by the Jedi Order to create lightsabers.

Explore Jordan's ancient cities and enjoy the friendly hospitality of the locals.

Visit the Nabatean Royal Tombs in Petra that are used to portray Jedha's tomb structures. For desert exploration, head to Wadi Rum and Al Disa, locations where Rogue One was filmed. Best time to visit is from March to May.

Trafalgar has a five-day Jordan Experience from US$1,225 a person.

 

Movie Still: A scene from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which was partly filmed in Maldives.Photo: WALT DISNEY PICTURES

MALDIVES

Planet Scarif, the Empire's principal construction facility for its Death Star, is located on this beautiful tropical paradise.

A beach battle scene featuring AT-ACTs, Stormtroopers and Death Troopers was also filmed here.

The Laamu Atoll, a remote series of islands in the Maldives featuring pristine beaches and lagoons, has a surprise starring role in Rogue One.

What is there not to love about a resort island with captivating blue waters?

If you like diving, you can see beautiful coral reefs, dolphins, manta rays and more. The best weather is between November and April, so plan your visit then.

 

 


This article was first published on Dec 6, 2016.
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