Astro travel: the best destinations to visit based on your star sign

As a Taurus, you're inclined to the beautiful, the sensual, and the pleasurable. Some may call you a hedonist but there's a strong streak of pragmatism that keeps your head out of the clouds and your feet just close enough to the ground to get you to where you want to be. And where you want to be might well be the Maldives. It's a top choice for honeymooners but you don't need to have recently tied the knot to indulge in this Indian Ocean idyll. Its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, superb diving, and luxury hotels are just the thing for anyone who wants time and space, or peace and quiet, in a place that seems almost too beautiful to be real. Imagine yourself lying back on the exclusive Cocoa Island, indulging in a candlelit dinner on the beach on Baros island, or snorkelling with dolphins and turtles on Fulhadhoo Island, and prepare to turn imagination into reality.

Quick-witted, inquisitive, and excitable: if you're a Gemini, you’re the opposite of dull. So it’s no wonder that, when it comes to holidays, you want a destination that matches your sparkling, magnetic personality. And for the "twin" star sign, where better than the mysterious, almost mystical Istanbul where east meets west? A cruise along the Bosphorus is the perfect introduction: while a daytime voyage gives you the chance to see the likes of the Beylerbeyi Palace and the Anatolian Fortress, an evening one offers an unforgettable view of an illuminated Istanbul. If daytime is the time to absorb the city's history and culture, after dark is your chance to experience the endless variety of its nightlife. On the food front, there's everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to tasty street food vendors selling local delicacies like Balık ekmek (a grilled fish sandwich). After eating, why not revel in a set by an internationally-known DJ or even a display of belly dancing! 

If your star sign is Cancer, your sensitive, emotional nature means that you probably really value time to recharge your batteries. However, yours is not a lie-on-the-beach personality; instead, your nurturing, interested-in-others side makes destinations with plenty of history the perfect pick. And where better than Croatia? The walled city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  is an obvious draw, but a cable car ride up the hill of Srđ offers an unusual perspective on the Old Town. Alternatively, perhaps you'd like to explore the pretty island of Mljet, where, according to local legend, Odysseus was marooned. Then there's Zagreb, with its churches and its thriving cafe culture, and beautiful Istria, which is perfect if you want to learn more about Croatia's foodie heritage. 

A Leo's confident, charismatic personality ensures nothing is done half-heartedly. For a holiday where you can truly live life to the max, Dubai is the perfect destination. Whether you want to shop, dance until dawn, marvel at its skyscrapers, lounge on the beach or watch the sun rise over the desert, this city in the United Arab Emirates has it all. You can't come to Dubai without visiting the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. And, of course, as well as looking at it, you must also look out from its observation deck. Then there's the fountain on the lake in front of the tower. Itself a record-breaker (it's the world's tallest "performing fountain"), watch it shoot water 500 feet into the air in sync with music. For yet another world-beater, what about a dip in the Aura sky pool? This infinity pool, high up in the Palm Tower, offers a 360° panoramic view across the city.

Has anyone ever called you hard-working? What about practical or good at solving problems? If you're a Virgo, you're probably all of these things. You might even be a little bit of a perfectionist. These attributes make Denmark the ideal holiday for you. It offers plenty of scope for an active break where you can be your best self. You could start easy with a sightseeing trip in Copenhagen, taking in the likes of the Amalienborg and Christiansborg Palaces, the Tivoli Gardens, and the waterside statue of the Little Mermaid. If you want something wilder, go bird-watching on Sonderjylland's tidal flats or go diving in Nykobing Mors. Plenty of well-marked and well-maintained trails make cycling and hiking a pleasure: try Hærvejen in South Jutland, the Thy National Park, or even the Gendarme Path along the Danish-German border.

Why not treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Seychelles? As a Libra, you'll have an innate appreciation for the beautiful and the charming, and what better way to celebrate these attributes than a trip with a little bit of luxury? Home to some of the most photographed beaches in the world, you'd have to search hard to find somewhere more stunning than the pink sand beach of Anse Source D'Argent on La Digue. The hospitality you'll experience on the likes of Praslin Island will warm your sociable Libran heart while the beauty and biodiversity of Vallée de Mai beach and Silhouette Island is something you'll never forget. If you want to enjoy privacy and seclusion with a loved one, try the exclusive Fregate Island. As well as the frigatebirds that have given the island its name, you'll find world-class luxury, a plethora of water sports and gorgeous green tropical forests.

Does Iceland intrigue you? As a Scorpio, you shun the obvious. Your conquering, "all or nothing" spirit pushes you to seek out experiences and destinations outside the norm, and mysterious Iceland definitely fits the bill. For a city break that's about as close to the Arctic Circle as it's possible to get, try Reykjavík. Discover Hallgrímskirkja Church, Harpa Concert Hall, museums and galleries aplenty, a buzzing nightlife, whale-watching boat trips, and the chance to see the Northern Lights. Beyond this most northerly of capital cities, Iceland's geothermal, volcanic landscape awaits. Perhaps you want to see the glaciers of Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks, swim in the Blue Lagoon, or follow the Golden Circle to explore Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. Alternatively, try husky dog sledding or kayaking into the ice caves at Sólheimajökull.

If you had a watchword, it might be spontaneity, or perhaps restlessness. As a Sagittarius, you prize new experiences and embrace them with enthusiasm. Perhaps this makes you a real party person –  if so, where better for your next trip than the ultimate party destination: Rio de Janeiro! The city's annual Carnival, held just before Lent, is its biggest party and a fabulous experience if you can time your visit right. However, no matter when you visit, you'll find fun, music, and dancing. Zona Sul and Lapa are home to some of the city's top night spots; show off your moves after taking a traditional samba class. There are also world-famous attractions to see: Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugar Loaf mountain, a hike to (and a carefully posed photo at) Pedra do Telégrafo, and, of course, the beach.

Possessing patience, pragmatism, reserve, and elegance in equal amounts, a Capricorn can have exacting holiday requirements, and be prepared to wait until the right idea presents itself. Luckily, stylish Marrakesh hits the nail on the head. First of all, absorb the atmosphere of this wonderful city in the red-walled medina. You'll find countless colourful shops, selling everything from rugs to spices, and, in the large square, an ever-changing cast of storytellers, snake-charmers, musicians, and fortune-tellers. If you need time out from all of this, head for one of the rooftop cafes where you can enjoy a cup of mint tea and watch the kites circle in the sky. For some greenery, take a stroll in the Majorelle Gardens and exfoliate and soak yourself at a traditional hammam afterwards.

As an Aquarius, you're unashamedly hungry for knowledge. You'd probably call yourself independent and maybe even a little eccentric, and you're always on the lookout for a stimulating holiday destination. If you've not yet considered Japan, you really should: it's packed with unmissable sights and experiences. There's the ever-photogenic Mount Fuji, which you might decide to climb or simply stare at, all the way from Tokyo, over 100km away. Tokyo itself defies description: both modern and almost unfathomably old, you mustn't miss either its Imperial Palace or the buzzing Ginza shopping district. Meanwhile, elegant Kyoto, with its cherry blossom and well-preserved architecture, is a beautiful window into Japan's much older past. Away from the cities, the Japanese Alps offer spectacular landscapes, skiing, hot springs, and the famous snow monkeys.

For an imaginative, sociable, and intuitive Piscean, the Greek island of Mykonos is the perfect destination; you'll always find a warm welcome here. The island's small size makes it easy to explore, whether that's on foot, by taxi, bus, moped, or even kaiki (a small boat). The white-washed alleys of Mykonos Town are a logical starting place. You also won't want to miss the iconic windmills – seven of them are in Mykonos Town itself. At sunset, it's worth grabbing a table at a taverna in Little Venice as the sunset views here are epic. The island's nightlife is pretty epic too, but Cavo Paradiso nightclub stands out in particular. If monasteries intrigue you, pay a visit to Panagia Tourliani but do also make time for the beaches. Popular spots include Psarou and Platys Gialos.