TRAVEL: May the Force be your travel guide

THE Force has been strong in Star Wars fans ever since the latest episode in the space adventure series was released.

The franchise is famed for its creation of imaginary worlds on the far side of the galaxy but Earthlings can sample some of them right here on our own planet.

In fact, as most of us already know, you don’t even have to travel far, far away to sample Star Wars locations picked for their spectacular cinematography merits in real life.

Our own tourism bosses are running a Star Wars campaign aimed at attracting fans of the science fiction franchise not just to Skellig Michael, which features in Episode VII’s closing scenes, but also to experience the dramatic scenery of Co Kerry and the broader Wild Atlantic Way.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been breaking box office records around the world, bringing the magnificent scenery of Skellig Michael and the Wild Atlantic Way to the attention of millions of people everywhere,” says CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons.

Tourism Ireland has created a special Star Wars section on its website, Ireland.com, and has embarked on a major PR and publicity push to Tourism Ireland’s 20,000+ international media contacts.

A specially commissioned ‘behind-the-scenes’ film, created during filming on Skellig Michael, has also been released in which Star Wars director JJ Abrams and crew members discuss why they chose the Irish location for filming.

But aside from bringing Star Wars fans from abroad into Ireland, where can Irish fans of the franchise see some of the spectacular overseas locations? Where can they get a piece of the Star Wars action beyond our borders?

Here are a few famous Star Wars locations worth a visit.

Iceland

The snowy backdrop of the scenes set on the planet Sullust were filmed in Iceland, most likely at the northern active volcanic region of Myvatn, at Myvatn Lake and Krafla Volcano. The area has several active volcanoes, but Krafla has been dormant since the mid-‘80s. Myvatn Lake is famous for its geothermally heated natural baths.

Wow Air (Wowair.ie) has direct flights to the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik from €95. 

UAE

The desert scenes on Jakku in The Force Awakens were filmed a couple of hours outside of Abu Dhabi among the sand dunes of the enormous Rub’ al Khali desert. Remember when Rey slid down the sand dunes? Well, this is where she was. The desert area is known as the ‘Empty Quarter’ and it’s used for camel riding, motorsport and falconry shows. Etihad have direct return flights from Dublin to Abu Dhabi from €740.

Tunisia

Tunisia provided the desert-like backdrop for many of the scenes set on the planet Tattoine. At Sidi Bouhlel, east of Tozeur, you can visit the gully where the Jawas captured R2D2. Here, you can see where Luke grew up in the original Star Wars movie. The area is known locally as Star Wars Canyon, so expect lots of guided tours of varying quality.

Package holidays to Tunisia will be thin on the ground this year after the terrorist beach attack at Port El Kantaoui last year but you can create your own itinerary online at lowcostholidays.ie. 

Spain

The exterior of Queen Amidala’s Palace from Episode II is a seriously beautiful piece of architecture in a city well worth visiting and that’s easy to get to from Ireland. The Plaza da Espana, in Seville, boasts over a mile of tiled fountains, walls, pavilions, ponds and the area’s famous orange trees. There are no direct flights from Dublin to Seville but it’s easy to get there once you arrive in Spain with Aer Lingus or Ryanair.

England

Those cute little Ewoks moved from California in the US to England’s Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean for The Force Awakens. That’s hardly surprising, as its otherworldly atmosphere has inspired the likes of Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien and Harry Potter creator JK Rowling. Puzzlewood is a unique and enchanting place featuring a willow maze, a toddler racing track and an outdoor playground in amongst its bewitching trees. The forest is in Coleford, Gloucester, and the closest airport is Bristol, but Cardiff is convenient too. Aer Lingus and Ryanair fly to both destinations.

Norway

Many Star Wars fans regard the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back as the most specular land battle in the series and it took place in Finse, Norway. Captain Scott used it as a training base for his Antarctic expedition to the South Pole as it was almost as cold and desolate. However, it’s popular with cyclists and hardy, winter hikers. SAS can fly you to Oslo from around €90. 

Guatemala

Tikal, in Guatemala, is home to one of the largest complexes of Mayan civilization and it’s also where the X-Wings that almost destroyed the moon of Yavin were launched. Check out long haul operators for flights to Guatemala City.