Imagine yourself snorkeling in crystal-clear waters among schools of colorful clown fish, backpacking through South America with a Sherpa, or embarking on a cross-country road trip with your squad. If you’ve got a serious case of wanderlust, but you’re not sure where to go, knowing the best places to travel based on your zodiac sign takes the guesswork out of planning your summer getaway. But wait, should you travel with five planets simultaneously retrograde and the July full blood moon and total lunar eclipse making things all dark and twisty?
The answer is yes. Think of astrology as a maps app for your life. It alerts you to potential pitfalls and reroutes you around proverbial traffic jams. If the app tells you a road is closed up ahead, that doesn’t mean you have to get off the highway. You are absolutely empowered to take the next exit. As long as you know what to look out for and plan accordingly, things are going to be just fine.
Because, let’s face it, it’s been a rough six months, and a summer respite is the least you deserve. The bottom line? All of the zodiac signs officially have permission to be selfish. It’s time to put your own needs and desires first, which means planning a solo summer getaway tailored — by the cosmos — just for you. Think of your sun sign as your own personal travel agent. All you need to do is pack your overnight bags and go.
Aries
Aries, it’s no secret that you’re the trendsetter of the zodiac. If you want to hit the hottest coldspot before it becomes commonplace, Antarctica should absolutely be on your travel bucket list. Once considered more of a punishment than a vacation destination, traveling to Antarctica is now a thing. Chances are you’ll be the only person you know Instagramming glaciers, icebergs, and rafts and waddles of penguins, which is guaranteed to give your friends major FOMO. If the South Pole is out of your reach, a guided backcountry tour in Alaska can provide the same thrill. Plus, choosing a cold destination is the best antidote for the brutal summer swelter.
Taurus
Taurus, you’ve been having a weird couple of months. The summer 2018 retrograde mania has the bull acting more like a Leo, which is why it’s important for Taurus to choose a summer getaway that can return some order and balance to this stubborn sign’s life. While you’re not as married to a schedule as Virgo, you like to be prepared, and you’re known to plan ahead for every possible outcome. This is why cruising is an ideal summer vacay. A traveling hotel where you know exactly what’s going to happen can help bring you back down to earth. If you get seasick, you can even get an ear patch from your doctor that will help you find your summer sea legs.
Gemini
Gemini, your twinning energy means you need constant change and a lot of stimulation to avoid getting bored. For you, the ideal summer getaway is a trip where you can experience something new every day. Consider a road trip across the U.S. where you throw the map out the window and see where your wanderlust takes you, or hop across the pond for a multi-country itinerary. You can even customize an international travel package on the cheap, and choose a theme like food and wine, arts and culture, castle and villa, railway journeys, and more.
Cancer
For homebody Cancer, sometimes staying put is more appealing than the stress of being away from your safe space. If you’re ready to get out of your comfort zone, and you want to treat yourself to a summer getaway, stateside island trips will make you feel as comfortable away as you do at home. From the Outer Banks in North Carolina, to the San Juan islands off the coast of Washington, to the postcard-perfect islands of Maine, your cozy retreat is just a ferry ride away. Stay in a quaint bed and breakfast, bike in the countryside, and collect fresh mussels on the beach for dinner.
Leo
Vegas, baby! Leo, for a zodiac sign that lives to be the star of the show, a long weekend in Las Vegas will satisfy your craving to see and be seen like the boss you are. The drinks are free, the parties last all night, and you can visit Paris, Venice, and New York City in under 60 minutes. Just steer clear of the seafood buffet. Book a room on the strip — which can double as your own personal catwalk — get VIP tickets to the hottest clubs and shows, try your luck on the roulette wheel, head to the Neon Boneyard, the Burlesque Hall of Fame, and dozens of other funky secret gems in sin city. There’s even ferris wheel yoga where you can get your namaste on and get an amazing view of the desert at the same time.
Virgo
Virgo, the best place for your summer 2018 vacation is up to you. Where have you always wanted to go? It’s time to stop making excuses and make your dream vacay a reality. If you want to get the most out of your bucket-list vacation destination, opt for a solo trip so you can make sure everything is exactly how you want it. Rent a car and embark on a self-guided tour, or if you’re willing to let go of the steering wheel just a little bit, opting for a guided or escorted trip is a great way to have a rock-solid itinerary that takes you to all the best Instagram-worthy places. From Africa, to Iceland, to the Amalfi coast, there’s guaranteed to be a planned trip packed with adventure that meets your needs.
Libra
Balance-seeking Libra, this summer’s retrograde rendezvous might having you feel a bit bajiggity. In order to regain your equilibrium, a solo trip to the beach is just what the doctor ordered. Seriously, Dr. Beach rates the best beaches in the U.S. each year, and 2018’s list offers curated coast-to-coast options. Whether you want to sun yourself and bury your head in a book, find the biggest surf breaks, snorkel in crystal clear sea caves, or spend your days beachcombing and collecting seashells, there’s a beach on the list you’re guaranteed to love.
Scorpio
Scorpio, you need an escape from your inner turmoil, which is why a summer vacay that requires you to use your brain to focus on something other than yourself is the best break for you. Consider booking a murder mystery weekend, which is basically a game of Clue IRL. If you’re a true-crime junkie, and you just can’t stop listening to the “My Favorite Murder” podcast, murder mystery weekends turn you into the detective. Solve a ‘70s disco murder or a case of modern-day mayhem. In between hunting for clues, treat yourself to themed dinners and retro cocktails parties. Just remember, everyone is a suspect.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius, your natural-born wanderlust means you’re up for anything. Because you also dislike planning and details, the ideal summer getaway for you is signing on for a Pack Up + Go trip. This vacay literally requires zero planning because the entire experience is a surprise. Just provide your budget, your desired dates, and a frew travel preferences, and Pack Up + Go does the rest. For free-spirited Sag, this trip is basically a multi-day surprise party, which means there’ll never be a dull moment.
Capricorn
For workaholic-Capricorn, a vacation destination has to be bucket-list level for you to even consider taking time out of your busy schedule. In order to keep you both interested and feeling productive, you’ll want to choose a trip that allows you to experience arts and culture, fine food and wine, and a storied history. You can get this experience in most any city in the U.S., but top choices are New York, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco. If you want to get out of the country, Italy is the place to go. Explore ancient Rome, and take the train to lesser known cities on your way to the Uffizi in Florence.
Aquarius
Go-your-own-way Aquarius, gather up a group of friends who just want to go with the flow (like a flock of Sagittarians), climb into the driver’s seat, and embark on a late summer road trip. Whether it’s a tour of national parks, a hike down into the Grand Canyon, or driving up Pacific Coast Highway and hitting every small beach town on the west coast, a road trip will satisfy both your need to lead the way and your inner travel bug. Whether you decide on camping, glamping, or spurliging on an Airbnb, an escape with your squad will help you hit the reset button so you can head into fall all bright and shiny like a brand new penny.
Pisces
Pensive Pisces, the U.S. Virgin Islands offers you a vacation that appeals to your inner fish. Snorkel in baby blue waters inside the USVI (underwater) National Park, hike in the lush rainforest, walk with wild donkeys, and more. Choose between St. Thomas, St. John, or St. Croix, or hit all three. If you’ve never been to the Virgin Islands, it’s the closest you’ll get to feeling like your marooned in paradise while still inside the U.S. Opt for five-star luxury or rustic camping on the beach where the only thing you need to pack is pocket change and your swimsuit. Feast on local seafood, drink Caribbean cocktails, and snorkel or scuba dive among colorful schools of fish, giant sea turtles, and the most vibrant coral you’ll see outside of the Great Barrier Reef.
