{{current_date_full}}
Hey, {{first_name | friend}}!
May the 4th be with you! The nerdiest unofficial holiday lands on Monday, but we’re spending the whole week in a galaxy far, far away. Keep reading for sci-fi films that hit the same notes as Star Wars, novels for fans who can't get enough of the franchise, and TV picks that are arguably better than the movies.
Star Wars-Coded: Sci-Fi Movies for Fans of the Franchise
These films don't share Lucasfilm's IP, but they share its DNA: iconic villains, scrappy underdogs, and truly epic moments.
Spaceballs
Mel Brooks' 1987 Star Wars parody is finally getting the sequel fans have been wanting for decades. With Spaceballs: The New One officially in development, there's no better time to revisit Dark Helmet, Pizza the Hutt, and the joy of "May the Schwartz be with you."
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Portrait Firenze
The Vibe: La dolce vita — “the sweet life”
The Location: Florence, Italy
Instaworthy Accommodations:
When you book at Portrait Firenze, you receive a questionnaire about pillow type, food preferences, and allergies, so the room is dialed in before you walk in. The Ferragamo-owned, all-suite property sits directly on the Arno, with the Ponte Vecchio framed in the windows. The 37 suites feature warm wood, Carrara marble, soft materials and cozy cashmere, with Ferragamo bath products and a concealed kitchenette. Six floors of mid-century black-and-whites turn the public spaces into a romanticized spin on 1950s Florence. Plus, the Uffizi, Piazza della Signoria, and via de' Tornabuoni's boutiques are all a short walk away.
What to Read if You Love Star Wars
Whether you've read every canon Star Wars novel or want something that scratches the same space-opera itch, these reads deliver all the galaxy-spanning stakes and fantastic worlds you could want.
Leviathan Wakes
The first book in James S.A. Corey's nine-volume The Expanse series swaps lightsabers for hard sci-fi realism, set in a future where Earth, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt are inches from war. This noir detective plot is perfect for fans of the more grounded elements of Star Wars.
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
The Parkside Hotel & Spa
The Vibe: Cozy Coastal Escape
The Location: Victoria, BC
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Each of The Parkside Hotel & Spa's 126 one- and two-bedroom suites includes a fully equipped and full-size kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a cozy fireplace, so you'll never miss the comforts of home. After a day of exploring the stunning coastal city of Victoria, head back to the hotel for a relaxing evening, taking in the iconic atrium koi pond and the rooftop gardens, or a rejuvenating treatment at the spa! Gather around one of the rooftop fire pits and enjoy locally made marshmallows with all the s'more trimmings–including Victoria's own chocolatier, Rogers Chocolates.
Beyond the Films: The Best Star Wars TV Shows
The new animated series, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, has us thinking about how some of the greatest Star Wars stories are actually series, not films. These are our favorites.
Andor
Tony Gilroy's Rogue One prequel is more political thriller than action-adventure, and that's exactly what makes it work. Stellan Skarsgård's monologues alone are worth the binge, and the writing is the sharpest Star Wars has ever put on screen. Both seasons are must-watch TV.