could stick a pin in a map to decide where to go on your next trip, but why leave it to fate when your star sign can provide all the clues you need for a tailor-made holiday to remember? Not only that, but the zodiac can also help you figure out who to choose to go with - or give you the nudge to go it alone. Play to your strengths, follow your heart and get set for an out-of-this-world voyage of discovery.

Reach for the stars: an astrological travel guide

Aries

21 March – 19 April

Barcelona

Bold, assertive and brave, the ram isn't one for simply daydreaming about going places - the first sign of the zodiac gets plans made and flights booked before you can say "isn't Emma Watson an Aries?". If you're one such trailblazer, aim to be in Barcelona - solo - for the annual La Mercè festival, on 23-26 September, which pays homage to patron saint Our Lady of Mercy. Being a fire sign, you'll love the light and visual shows in Ciutadella Park and pyrotechnic displays over Barceloneta beach, and make a host of new friends at the parades and correfocs (fire runs), parties and live-music performances that guarantee the occasion goes with a bang.

Taurus

20 April – 20 May

Morocco

Slow and steady does it for earth sign Taurus, the bull of the zodiac, whose characteristics include reliability, devotion and a knack for dealing with the practicalities of travel without breaking a sweat. If this is you, grab another earth sign to be your travel companion - you'll share an appreciation for keeping it real - and head to the rolling Saharan dunes of Morocco for a go-slow overland odyssey. Feast, Berber-style, beneath the stars, seek out guided sunrise meditation sessions, plod across the shifting red sands on camelback and join an expert-led walk in search of native flora, fauna and fossils.

Gemini

21 May – 20 June

Rome

Geminis, the astrological twins, are blessed on the intellect and logic fronts - a bonus when it comes to planning a getaway - so a self-improvement holiday will hit the spot. As will travelling with a group of friends, social butterfly that you are. Consider Rome, partly for its connection with mythological twins Romulus and Remus, but also to take part in a cooking class with local sisters Benedetta and Valeria Bianchini of Local Aromas. With over 30 years' experience in the food and wine industries, they'll help you to master some of Italy's best-loved dishes, and reveal the stories behind them. Or, for a more immersive experience, check out Sojrn, whose month-long programme allows digital nomads to base themselves in the Eternal City and attend lectures and workshops delving into Rome's history, around working hours.

Cancer

21 June – 22 July

Edinburgh

Cancerians are old souls at heart, for whom traditions, connections to the past and family are all-important. If this is you, we recommend setting off on a multi-generational trip with everyone from grandma to the newest member of the clan, making golden memories that everyone will treasure. While ruins, sacred sites and the stories associated with them get your heart racing, Machu Picchu may be a stretch too far for travels en famille. Edinburgh, however, is a manageable alternative. The Scottish capital's iconic fortress castle might date back to the 12th century, but the majority of its buildings are accessible and there's a lift up to the Crown Jewels. Plus, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants and independent boutiques to explore afterwards, with myriad street performers on hand to keep wee ones entertained.

Leo

23 July – 22 August

Miami Beach

Leos are sun worshippers and - let's be honest, Leos - want to be worshipped like the sun. Summer is lion season, with see-and-be-seen hotspots such as St Tropez and Milan offering a great incentive to travel heavy. All those shoes! All those hats! But, for a proper splash-out birthday extravaganza, we recommend you Leos get someone who adores you to whisk you away to the glitzy south Florida island city that is Miami Beach. Don your biggest sunglasses to take in dazzling Crandon Park sunrises, spend afternoons sunbathing and sipping cocktails in South Beach, then head to Sunset Harbour for an extravagant, indulgent dinner, before - after another quick costume change - finding a happening spot in which to show off your moves on the dancefloor.

Virgo

23 August – 22 September

Queensland

Virgos are natural caretakers of the land, and have a huge affinity with animals. Earthy, grounded and happy when being of service to others, a working holiday at a nature or wildlife refuge will be just the ticket. Plus, as you're known for your ability to form strong friendships with coworkers, you can travel solo, safe in the knowledge that you'll make new buddies in situ. Ready for a long-haul adventure down under? Check out the sustainability-led Horizons Kangaroo Sanctuary, in the sleepy beachside town of Agnes Water, Queensland, which is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of orphaned joeys. Sprawling across four hectares, the refuge provides accommodation for volunteers, who'll spend days helping out with the menagerie of kangaroos and wallabies, doing gardening duties and slipping away for the odd afternoon on the beach.

Libra

23 September – 22 October

Ecuador

Balance in all things is key for harmony-seeking Librans - an air sign with a head for symmetry and equilibrium. If this is you, it won't come as much surprise that your ideal travel companion will be another Libra - someone who shares your inquisitiveness, is good at mapping out a well-paced itinerary and happy to compromise. Considering the imaginary line that Librans walk, you'll love Quito, Ecuador, and, specifically, the Intiñan Solar Museum. Here, you can officially straddle the Earth's hemispheres in a museum that pays homage to indigenous Ecuadorian culture and history, as well as trying out some fun science experiments that only work when you're at the equator.

Scorpio

23 October – 21 November

Paris

Intense and edgy, Scorpio is the zodiac sign associated with hedonism, sex, death and rebirth, so a stroll round a National Trust property just won't cut it. Drawn to experiences that make an impact - and well suited to doing them with either a like-minded Scorpio or a flexible water sign, such as Pisces - you'll do best with a city that never sleeps. Jump on the Eurostar to Paris and sign up for a Sex and Death walking tour of the Père Lachaise Cemetery. The most-visited burial ground in the world, its famous residents include Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Chopin and Oscar Wilde. After that, all the indulgences of the French capital await, from perfect patisserie to the kind of wild party that you Scorpios seem to have a sixth sense for sniffing out.

Sagittarius

22 November – 21 December

Crete

Sagittarians value freedom at all costs. An ambitious fire sign, you're the escape artist of the zodiac, so should seek out a destination that promises big skies and breathtaking panoramas. Travelling alone won't pose a problem - it means you won't have to compromise with a companion who'd rather sit down for a cup of tea than go free diving. We recommend you archers shoot for Crete, getting away from it all on the largest of the Greek islands. From stargazing to exploring the wine country near Heraklion, unravelling mythological stories at the Minoan Palace of Knossos to hiking the Samaria Gorge, the adventures that await on this sparkling Aegean paradise are only limited by your own energy and enthusiasm - ie there are no limits.

Capricorn

22 December – 19 January

South Tyrol

The hard-working horned goat, Capricorn's innate love of solitude steers travellers born under this sign away from crowded destinations, with group tours being an absolute no-no. But off-the-beaten-track doesn't necessarily mean "basic" here, because you like luxury with a capital L. Whether you head off solo or with a Virgo friend, who'll share your love of local culture over sunbathing, we suggest you make South Tyrol, Italy, your base. Splash out on a stay at the eco-friendly, uber-luxe Vigilius Mountain Resort - accessible only by cable car leaving from Lana - where you'll be free to luxuriate in two swimming pools, a sauna, hammam and spa, take in dazzling views of the Dolomites and Ultimo Valley, and explore the surrounding mountain villages.

Aquarius

20 January – 18 February

Iceland

Contemplative Aquarians are in their element in serene spots that best allow them to observe, inspect and study the world around them, making them better placed to be able to answer the perennial question: "Why are we here?" Anything involving space and the universe will grab your interest, and that of fellow air sign Gemini, who'll be excellent company on your next solar eclipse-chasing jaunt. A trip to Iceland will give you plenty to ponder. Make your base the lavish, eco-forward Deplar Farm, Ólafsfjörður, where binoculars are provided for guests' pleasure and a lack of light pollution means the stargazing is some of the best in the world. During daylight hours, Viking saunas and natural wonders galore will keep you busy.

Pisces

19 February – 20 March

Gozo

Hello, daydreamer. The fish of the zodiac, you Pisceans are sensitive, emotionally intelligent and attuned to the happiness of those around you, as well as being the most spiritual of all 12 star signs. For this reason, visits to religious sites in places of natural beauty will bring out the best in you. Consider sharing the experience with your mum - a Piscean more often than not enjoys a close bond with their mother - or with a Taurus, whose go-slow approach is well suited to meandering around monasteries and cathedrals. Gozo, Malta's farming-island little sister, won't disappoint. Scattered with temples whose history stretches back roughly 6,000 years, family-run restaurants and beautiful beaches, its timeless landscapes are perfect for getting lost in.

The Lowdown

Astro-experts Dr Frances Yahia and Jennifer Millar are founders of the Hidden Truths College of Metaphysics, which offers in-depth online courses and workshops on topics spanning astrology to Egyptian tarot. To find out more, visit hiddentruthscollege.com

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