May the Travel be with you

Since today is what I have recently learnt is Star Wars Day, May the fourth, here is a look at some of the locations where famous films’ scenes were shot.

Some aren’t even as remote as one might expect, so visiting them is actually not so much out of this world.

Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia

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Perhaps the most famous “Star Wars” landmark in the world, this is where the interiors of Luke Skywalker’s childhood home on planet Tatooine were filmed.

Centuries ago, Berbers built the underground structure as a real home. Eventually it became a hotel, which George Lucas used to film the first “Star Wars” film.

The set decorations came down when the crew left, but were rebuilt in 2000 for “Attack of the Clones.” Since then, they’ve remained, so guests can eat at the table where young master Luke did.

Redwood National and State Parks, California

Rhododendron and Redwood Trees

The woods of “Endor”, the forest moon home of the furry Ewoks, was filmed among California’s giant redwoods. Most of the well-known scenes were shot on private land owned by a lumber company.

Since the cast and crew worked on “Return of the Jedi” in 1982, heavy logging has left most of the landscape unrecognizable.But driving through the parks still gives a feel for the set, especially along the Avenue of the Giants highway.

In Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park and the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, plates were filmed for some chase scenes.

Death Valley National Park, California

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Although most of Tatooine was shot in Tunisia, crucial scenes in “A New Hope,” like Obi-Wan’s first meeting with Luke, were filmed in Death Valley between the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mojave Desert.

Twenty Mule Team Canyon was used for “Return of the Jedi” scenes with C-3PO and R2-D2 traveling to Jabba the Hut’s palace. Other stops in the park that seem familiar from the movies: Dante’s View and the Mesquite Sand Dunes.

Abu Dhabi

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For the new “Star Wars” installment, director J.J. Abrams chose the desert of the United Arab Emirates rather than Tunisia.

The first scene of the trailers, on the planet Jakku, was shot there but the sets have already been moved into storage.

Skellig Michael, Ireland

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The ruins of this 7th-century monastery, which sits on the steep sides of the island Skellig Michael was the place of filming for “The Force Awakens”.

Even though it’s a World Heritage Site, its location 12 kilometers off the coast of southwest Ireland discourages many visitors.

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