What Destination Should You Visit in 2022 According to Your Zodiac Sign
Astrocartography is a branch of astrology that depicts the exact placement of the planets at the time of your birth. The idea is that the earth retains a resonant memory of this celestial alignment; knowing your map can help you understand why you feel happier in certain places than others. Anyone can create a free astrocartography map online, but only a professional, such as astrocartographer Maya White, can decode it.
“I first became interested in astrocartography because I needed help understanding my own life,” explains White, who bought her first astro map in 1976 after seeing an advertisement in a horoscope magazine. In the late 1980s, she became a certified practitioner, and she now provides private readings, online learning programs, and astrology retreats.
“It’s just amazing what information comes out if you have an accurate time and place of birth,” she says, adding that it helped her understand where she should live (currently in Florida) and also where to travel (she went to India, for example, because her Sun and Uranus lines crossed there).
Her readings are always influenced by her climate preferences, work, social environment, and family. “There’s no point in me telling someone to move to South Dakota if they’re not going to do it,” she says. She also identifies “trainwreck zones,” or areas of the world where certain planetary lines may result in a less-than-ideal experience. Though nothing beats a personalized reading, your star sign can provide insight into the types of vacations you prefer. We asked White to share destination ideas based on the 12 zodiac signs, because it’s never too early to start planning.
Aries
“Aries is a fiery personality who bursts onto the scene with a lot of energy,” White says. “However, because they are easily bored, they crave a variety of activities.” Fortunately, there are plenty of activities in Thailand to keep Aries travelers entertained. The ram can charge over to Ari, a fashionably hip neighborhood with cafés, boutiques, and galleries galore, after hitting some of Bangkok’s greatest hits (Wat Pho, The Grand Palace). According to White, this is a sign of appreciation for the finer things in life, so book a room at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, a 2021 Readers’ Choice winner with a swanky vermouth cocktail bar and dreamy riverside pool. White also recommends flying north to Chiang Mai to shop for artisan crafts or south to the Thai Islands, where there are a plethora of indulgent luxury resorts to choose from. “While a frenetic city like Bangkok will excite Aries, they will also need to retreat and renew,” she says.
Taurus
“Bulls are rigid and dislike being inconvenienced,” White says. “It takes a lot of effort to get them to break their routine and go on vacation.” But, like a freight train, once this earth sign gets going, it’s impossible to stop. As a result, White recommends an outdoorsy (but not too wild) destination like Vancouver. It’s easy to get to, and Taurus can stay in a five-star hotel while still enjoying everything the ultra-green metropolis has to offer. Kayaking at Jericho Beach, ziplining over the treetops at Grouse Mountain, strolling the dizzyingly high Capilano Suspension Bridge, pointing out orcas and humpbacks on a whale-watching tour, or taking an enlightening Talking Trees Tour of Stanley Park with a local Coast Salish guide are all options. “Nature nurtures and sustains Taurus,” explains White. “These activities would be thrilling because they would take them out of their comfort zone, but not too far.”
Gemini
“This mutable air sign is constantly thinking, thinking, thinking,” White says. That is why Edinburgh, with its “remarkable cultural depth,” is the ideal location for this intellectually stimulating sign. The twins value experiences over material possessions, so a well-designed, centrally located, and reasonably priced Airbnb would be ideal. To keep the wheels turning, they can visit Greyfriars Kirkyard’s caged graves and the underground tenement buildings of Mary King’s Close, admire the Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle, get lost in the artifacts at the National Museum of Scotland, or climb Arthur’s Seat for spectacular views of the city. “Geminis can be real history buffs,” White says. “And Scotland is intertwined with a rich European history.”
Cancer
“Cancer requires a great hotel, but good food is also essential,” says White. That’s why they are drawn to Blackberry Mountain in Walland, Tennessee, the sister property to the acclaimed Blackberry Farm. The inn, located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, attracts well-heeled travelers who value warm hospitality and exceptional food and drink. Cancer can tuck into a seasonally inspired Southern meal at the property’s elegant Three Sisters or Firetower restaurants after a busy day of hiking, fly fishing, or testing their balance during a paddleboard yoga session. (The latter, thanks to its perch in a restored forest lookout tower, offers 360-degree mountain views.) They can then “retreat to their protective shell” with a full stomach, which in Blackberry’s case looks like a chic cottage with a flagstone terrace, outdoor fireplace, and fine Egyptian linens. “Cancer enjoys doing something unique,” says White. “It’s a way for them to demonstrate their personality, taste, and determination.”
Leo
“When it comes to love and beauty, Leo is quite proud,” White says. “Seeing the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a monument to love in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, feeds the lion’s ego.” (There isn’t a single Leo alive who doesn’t secretly wish the same thing.) White wants Leos to head east to the glittering jewel of Jaipur and check into The Johri, a new boutique property tucked inside one of the city’s oldest bazaars, after a pampering stay at the Moorish-Mogul Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra. The inn, which was co-founded by Siddharth Kasliwal, the ninth-generation owner of The Gem Palace, combines sumptuous Rajasthani furnishings with quirky Wes Anderson-esque twists. She suggests ending the trip with a stay at the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, a royal palace set in the middle of picturesque Lake Pichola, or joining a safari at Ranthambore National Park to see other big cats—specifically, wild tigers—in their natural habitat.
Virgo
“Virgos like things neat and clean,” White says. “They crave structure and are uneasy in chaotic situations. They are, however, a mutable earth sign, so they go with the flow.” Acadia National Park in Maine combines a beautiful “semi-tamed wilderness” with “well-constructed carriage paths” for easier hiking and biking. According to White, Virgo will be captivated by the spectacular sunrises and will enjoy exploring the port towns dotting the coastline, such as searching for colorful polished rocks at Jasper Beach in Machiasport and shopping for artisan-made furniture and handwoven textiles in Camden and Rockland. (“Virgo values quality,” she observes.) After dark, Virgo can relax and unwind with a safari-inspired glamping experience like the one offered by Under Canvas Acadia in Surry.
Libra
Libra is a cardinal air sign ruled by Venus, and it is drawn to beauty and art. Enter Provence, with its stunning lavender fields, Impressionist hilltop villages, and glasses brimming with the best róse. “This is a very Libran-type society,” White says. “They value good food and gracious service, enjoy cultural experiences, and see life as a blank canvas waiting to be painted.” (It’s no surprise that many famous artists, including Cézanne, Picasso, and Van Gogh, found inspiration here.) Libras demand the best accommodations because of their high standards: Hôtel Crillon le Brave in the foothills of Mont Ventoux trades in old-world charm, with still-lifes by renowned local artist Julian Merrow-Smith adorning its suites (with bowls of fresh fruit to match). There’s always something enchanting for Libra to behold, whether they’re shopping for sunflowers at the market in Aix-en-Provence, touring the Roman aqueduct bridge near Nîmes, or popping into a charming boulangerie in the narrow backstreets of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Scorpio
“It’s been a trying couple of years for everyone,” White says. “However, Scorpio, perhaps more than any other sign, requires renewal. They’re always listening to everyone else’s problems and did more than their fair share during the pandemic.” That’s why she’s sending the mercurial scorpion to the Grand Canyon, a place unlike any other. “Scorpios are inspired when they are in the presence of something bigger than themselves,” she says. “A natural wonder like the Grand Canyon humbles them and helps them reset their expectations.” This is especially true when they deviate from the path. Instead of crowding the South Rim, head to the canyon’s less-visited North Rim or sign up for a multi-day rafting trip on the Colorado River. Hiking to the stunning Havasu Falls in the Havasupai Indian Reservation after the pandemic would be a dream come true. (For the time being, the grounds are off-limits to tourists in order to protect the tribal inhabitants.)
Sagittarius
“Sagittarius loves to travel,” White says of the daring archer, a mutable fire sign always on the lookout for its next adventure. After two years of pandemic-related lockdowns, White sees something epic in Sag’s future: a safari to South Africa’s Kruger National Park and/or an ascent of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. “The archer has a wild streak and is energized by the presence of animals and birds.” Taking on a physically immersive experience, such as a walking safari or climbing expedition, would feel especially kinesthetic. “A wilderness experience is necessary for Sagittarius to heal their spirit and deepen their connection with themselves,” White says. There is one caveat: while Sags aren’t picky about their accommodations, they do require adequate Wi-Fi. (It’s amazing to hang out with giraffes, but it’s even better if they can share it on Instagram.)
Capricorn
The sea goat is ruled by Saturn, the taskmaster of all planets, so this serious earth sign naturally wants to feel in control of their own destiny. “Capricorns value status as well,” White adds. “They’re not as flashy as Leo, but they’re still social and financial climbers.” That’s why White suggests renting a yacht in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or another beachy paradise. The Moorings catches her eye because the long-running outfitter books crewed yachts with a professional captain and first mate as well as more D.I.Y. adventures where a licensed guest can steer their own ship. This means Cap creates their own itinerary in the British Virgin Islands, such as grotto wading at The Baths National Park in Virgin Gorda or snorkeling with blue-striped grunt at Monkey Point off Guana Island. Captaining one’s own ship is also the less expensive option, which appeals to Cap’s desire to control the purse strings.
Aquarius
Uranus, the planet of questioning and innovation, rules this fixed air sign. “They require mental stimulation,” says White. “They’re deep and eclectic thinkers who value creativity and want to understand the forces that drive it.” Aquarians are also humanitarians who want to make the world a better place. A trip to the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, according to White, would be eye-opening for the inquisitive water bearer. (Arrangements can be made through Papangu Tours, an Indigenous tour operator.) They are interested in other people’s lives and spirituality, and they would like to learn more about the oil, mining, and logging industries that are threatening sacred jungle land and communities. Aquarius could also benefit from a healing session with an Indigenous shaman. (Exploring ayahuasca is optional; many Aquarians are content to live vicariously through the transcendental experiences of others.) “This is a total wild card, but one Aquarius would absolutely embrace,” White says. “It’s also a bit of a point of pride. Aquarius enjoys being unique, taking on challenges that others may regard as strange or crazy.”
Pisces
Because they care deeply about the earth and their role in it, White refers to this mutable sign as “the environmentalist of the Zodiac.” Pisces, represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, is naturally drawn to watery destinations—the further away, the better. The Seychelles, a small island nation 1,000 miles off the coast of East Africa, ticks all of the boxes: A remote ecological haven with a plethora of wildlife and non-motorized water sports to enjoy. Book one of the 11 sustainably built, thatched-roof villas on Gold List 2020 winner North Island, which is nestled between a forest of tacamahac trees and a pristine coralline beach, and then go exploring. Pisces, White’s “deeply compassionate sign,” would appreciate participating in a marine conservation program (dugongs and giant tortoises are both protected here) or other volunteer work. “They genuinely care and want to feel like they’ve made a difference,” White says.