Travel with the stars

Discover the perfect holiday type for your sun and rising sign, with astrologer Bex Milford

Our birth charts are our cosmic blueprint – they are like our celestial DNA, indicating our star-given skills as well as our predisposed preferences. We can look to our birth chart to understand a multitude of things about ourselves, from our ideal career to the traits we look for in a partner. We can even learn a huge amount about the different style of holiday you’d be astrologically inclined to enjoy – just by looking at your birth chart. Read here for both your sun (the first location) and rising sign (second location) to see what kind of travel works best for you and book that well-deserved
break today!

Aries -The Alps, Austria & Marrakesh Market, Morocco

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No one loves to lead like an Aries, and as the first sign on the zodiac wheel then you’re known as pioneering risk-takers. As a feisty fire sign, you’re often lured by the untrodden path, and so holidays where you can take the reins will give you the chance to flex those leadership muscles! This might be anything from mountaineering in the Alps to scouring a European city, map in hand and list of attractions to tick off. Aries Rising are instilled with a natural sense of spontaneity and adventure, so trips where you can fully immerse yourself in the sights, scents and sounds of another culture will light that spark in you – exploring the souks and spice markets of Marrakech, for example. However, you do tend to want to do things your way! When booking a holiday this year, why not choose a place you can go off the beaten track and live like a local for a while?

Taurus – Lake District, England & Milan, Italy

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Being the sign of the placid, luxury-loving bull, Taurus typically enjoys nothing more than pampering and comfort. A Lake District spa break complete with fluffy robes, room service breakfast in bed and a chance for an aromatherapy massage suits your tastes – Taurus is associated with the neck and shoulders, after all. As a Venus-ruled sign, you won’t be averse to a little shopping for an item of unique clothing or beautiful jewellery to add to your collection, so you could try discovering the bohemian neighbourhoods of Milan, dipping into an art gallery or two and then indulging in a leisurely, three-hour lunch. One thing to remember is the importance of flexibility – going with the flow isn’t second nature for this fixed earth sign, but remember the exciting opportunities the Universe can deliver and open yourself up to new and even random experiences!

Gemini – Californian coast, USA

Curious, adaptable Gemini is known as the social butterfly of the zodiac, and you’ll have a passion for sharing ideas, exchanging perspectives and gathering knowledge wherever you go. Going on holiday is no different, so travelling with friends to a brand new, exotic country will bring you great pleasure. You’ll need something to keep you occupied of course – yes, you can do a poolside break, but you’ll usually take more books than you could read in a month! As one of the most versatile signs you also enjoy hopping from place to place, so a road trip along the Californian coast where you can linger between cities, stay in motels, exchange ideas with the locals and get a flavour for their way of life will satisfy your love of diversity. There is a flightiness to Gemini though, so remember the value of getting to know a destination for a little longer than a few days by really immersing yourself in the culture. Why not hire a local guide to reveal the secret side of a city that most people don’t get to explore? As a Mercury-ruled sign you’ll also get great pleasure from writing, so keeping a journal is a fabulous way to preserve your experiences for the future.

Cancer – Disneyland Paris, France & Hawaii

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Cancer is the zodiac sign most associated with nostalgia, family values and a connection to the past, so making memories with loved ones is usually a priority when planning a holiday. You won’t baulk at saving up for an extended period so you can afford a ‘lifetime’ vacation, such as a visit to Disneyland with the kids, a dream honeymoon in Hawaii or a month exploring the wonders of New Zealand. Then again, home in where the heart is, and a staycation is usually just as enjoyable for you, especially if you can be by the sea – a little cottage in Cornwall or Devon, with brisk beach walks each day and a chance to escape the world and unplug, is just the self-care that revitalises you. Cancer can get a little stuck in their ways and be prone to repetition, so challenge yourself to explore exciting, unknown territory that encourages you to come out of your shell and experience a completely new way of living… and don’t forget the camera!

Leo – Ibiza & New York City, USA

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As the fixed fire sign of the zodiac, Leo the lion typically loves nothing more than lazing in the sunshine and feeling the warmth of the rays on their skin. For you, a holiday is about relaxation! Get a Leo to a beach, or by a pool, and make sure there’s a waiter on hand to bring tropical juice or sparkling rosé, please! Saying that, there is a flamboyant side to Leo, so you won’t be averse to a vacation where you can dazzle, splash some cash and get your party pants on – the vibes of Mykonos or Ibiza, where you can dance all night and sleep on the sand in the day, is a safe bet. Leo is also associated with the stage, so if sunny breaks aren’t your thing then a holiday to dazzling New York City, where you can take in a Broadway show or three, is also highly desirable.

Virgo – Bologna, Italy & Costa Rica

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Super-organised Virgo typically adores a schedule, so you’ll love an itinerary (particularly if you’ve made it yourself, laminated it, and synchronised the watches of everyone you’re travelling with). You’ll usually have read up on the destination beforehand and know all the very best spots to hit, so an unusual city break with plenty to offer such as Bologna and Ljubljana will allow you to play the part as a guide while also avoiding too many tourists. Earth sign Virgo also feels a deep sense of peace when at one with nature, and finds being active cleansing for the body and soul, so a hiking holiday in Costa Rica, where you can search for sloths and bathe under waterfalls, would constitute the trip of a lifetime. Don’t be afraid to go off-piste if the opportunity comes up though – yes, you’ve got a wonderful plan, but if a local recommends their very favourite little tapas bar then would it be too much of a hardship to let some flexibility into your holiday?

Libra – New Orleans, USA & Mexico City, Mexico

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There’s a sense of romance in a Libra that can’t be ignored – anything with faded glamour, elaborate architecture and the charm of bygone days will appeal to you. The soulful jazz scene of New Orleans, moon-splashed cobbles of Paris and evocative streets of Havana all fit into this category. As a Venus-ruled sign, art and beauty bring you a sense of real satisfaction, especially if it’s the kind that is truly embedded in a place and allows you to feel the rich history of that culture’s people flood over you. Mexico City, with its deep connection to artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, will provide ample opportunity for creative eye-candy. Libras also love a little shopping, so heading somewhere with local artisan boutiques to pick up some souvenirs for your friends back home is always a winner. Remember that as the diplomat of the zodiac you can tend to agree to the plans of others to keep the peace, so don’t be afraid to say what you want to do on occasion!

Scorpio – Angkor Wat, Cambodia & Great Wall, China

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Scorpio is known for being one of the more intense signs of the zodiac, but that’s just because you like to get beneath the surface of things! Shallow interactions aren’t appealing to this fixed water sign. Therefore, a place with a little mystery and gritty history simply adds to the allure. Diving into the heart-breaking beauty of Cambodia and watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat would be a bucket-list experience, as would a trip to China, where you can spend ample time discovering the multi-faceted history of this fascinating country. For somewhere less far-flung, a trip to Berlin would let you not only see the extraordinary way a city keeps the past alive and relevant, but also appeals to your counter-culture hedonistic side with its myriad of secret underground clubs, bars and restaurants. Don’t forget that you can relax, but switching off and simply enjoying a slower pace isn’t that easy for a Scorpio!

Sagittarius – Tokyo, Japan & Bali, Indonesia

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Sagittarius is ruled by expansive, buoyant Jupiter and is typically associated with travel to far-flung lands. You’re the adventurer and explorer of the zodiac, so there is a certain nomadic streak in you that will often result in itchy feet and a sense of wanderlust if you’re forced to be still too long! You’ll relish trips where you can broaden your horizons and expand your mind in a way that is a complete culture-shock to your everyday existence – the neon lights of Tokyo followed by the ancient splendours of Kyoto would satisfy even your deepest desires for discovery! Spiritual or enlightening retreats are also associated with Sagittarius, and you’ll relish time spent exploring the bigger questions of life. Why not think about a yoga retreat to Bali, or walking the Camino Santiago and getting to know other pilgrims along the way?

Capricorn – Tuscany, Italy & Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Hard-working, dedicated Capricorn isn’t known for being the most laid-back of signs, but that’s because you have things to do, and rest comes later – right? Making space in life to actually go on holiday and allow yourself the time off doesn’t come naturally, but when you do shoehorn in a vacation it’s essential you use this downtime to revitalise. As an earth sign, being in nature is that shot of invigoration you need – the rolling hills of Tuscany or the verdant rice paddies of Sri Lanka will remind you why it’s so important to make memories and gift yourself periods of relaxation. If it’s essential to your entrepreneurial aspirations that you get some work done, why not check out the cool co-working spaces of Amsterdam and combine business with pleasure?

Aquarius – Lisbon, Portugal & Kerala, India

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Aquarius is the free-thinking, open-minded rebel of the zodiac – so a cookie-cutter holiday or tourist-saturated all-inclusive resort will give you the shudders. Instead, you want an unusual, one-of-a-kind trip where you can explore at your leisure. Hiring a bike and setting off to South America, stopping to discover the customs and history of smaller townships and getting to know the locals via homestays, will afford you all the space you need. If this sounds a little maverick for your tastes then you can still enjoy that sense of liberal exploration from European cities such as Lisbon or at a boutique, family-run resort in the tropics of India. As a social air sign, you’ll usually make friends with the owners and it won’t be unusual for an Aquarius to return to a place year after year because you’ve become like one of the family!

Pisces – Venice, Italy & Kefalonia, Greece

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Artistic and imaginative, Pisces are the spiritual dreamers of the zodiac. You’ll get swept away with the romance of a place and enjoy anything that has a fairy-tale wonder about it. Exploring the waterways of Venice, strolling through the piazzas of Florence or road-tripping the Amalfi Coast will bring you a soothing sense of beauty and appreciation for life. As a water sign, Pisces usually has a passion for the coast and adores a culture that completely removes them from the hustle and bustle of their everyday routine – whimsically hopping between lesser-known Thai Islands or boat tripping along the coast in Greece appeals to your sensibilities. A classic Piscean trait is their aversity to being too tied down – this is a sign that won’t baulk at booking the first couple of days, then seeing what happens and who they meet. Don’t be afraid of a little more preparation, Pisces!

The expert

Bex Milford is an Astrologer known as Cosmic Cures. She’s also a Cosmic Coach, Crystal Healer and Founder of the Moon Child Sorority. Join the star-studded party on Instagram @cosmic_cures