“Let me know when you are able to get a flight in, honey.” It’s been a year since I got that text, a year since my sister walked into an urgent care in my hometown of South Bend, Indiana, when she called my mom as her partner drove her to the emergency room. A year since she was intubated, my mom caressing her hand, before she closed her eyes for the last time. Her life was then on support, but in reality, her life was gone.

Sitting up in bed, I had to find a flight from Los Angeles to South Bend. “There’s only one flight that gets there earlier,” I texted, knowing another message was soon to come. I updated my mom with every search. My dad, her husband of nearly 40 years, had passed just nine months before. When that happened, I was on a work trip to Bermuda that had literally just landed hours before I needed to leave again. And somehow that felt easier to finagle than this.

Getting to where you need to be in moments of grief and duress and emergency can feel like solving string theory when you’re inundated with emotions and other logistics that don’t involve planes. Thankfully, I had points and miles. Thankfully, I had a credit card and savings. Thankfully, thankfully, thankfully, I could get home.

But the one thing I wish I had known at this moment was the existence of bereavement fares. Sometimes called “compassionate fares,” these rates are special, flexible airline tickets offered in circumstances of imminent death or the loss of an immediate family member—often with reduced prices, looser change rules, and the ability to book very last-minute without the usual penalties.

The ins and outs of bereavement fares

The big thing to know is that bereavement fares not offered by every airline. These are the ones who do: Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet are four airlines that have specific bereavement fares outlined on their websites. (Hawaiian Airlines has a bereavement page, as well, but it’s only for those traveling between the Hawaiian islands—though they do have stipulations for changing or canceling an existing booking due to bereavement as well, no matter where you’re flying.) Most of these airlines require you to call a person on their end. Many will require you to indicate the identity of the person who has died, how they were related to you, and other such information, which may or may not be triggering for some.

“Bereavement fares can be confusing, and frankly, the process isn’t always compassionate,” says Tovah Means, MS, LMFT, co-owner of Watch Hill Therapy. “Some airlines still offer them, but the requirements can feel bureaucratic at a moment when paperwork is the last thing you can emotionally manage. If you have the capacity, calling the airline directly can help—a real human voice sometimes makes room for nuance. But if you can’t deal with that, that’s completely legitimate. Grief shrinks your bandwidth. Choose whatever route feels least draining.”

Delta and Alaska—the airlines I reached out to that came back with a response at the time of publication of this article—couldn’t give much more info on their bereavement fares beyond what was outlined on their page. These public breakdowns, while thoughtful and rooted in genuine attempts to support travelers, also speak to a broader truth: As a culture, we’re still profoundly uneasy with death, grief, and the logistical chaos that comes with them.

Airlines aren’t trying to be cold—they’re operating within systems built for efficiency, not emotional emergencies—but the limits of those systems can make you feel even more alone at a moment when everything already feels isolating. Policies, procedures, and carefully worded statements can only go so far when you’re navigating one of the most disorienting experiences of your life; the gap between what’s offered and what’s needed becomes another reminder of how much we shoulder on our own in grief.

At the airport: Do let employees know what’s going on

That being said, talking to people on the ground when actually traveling can help even more. Countless stories (a lot of them Delta-crew based, from what I’ve found) talk about pilots, flight attendants, and passengers going out of their way to accommodate the grieving. Holding planes to make tight connections, heartfelt notes from the crew, and neighboring passengers helping grievers navigate the airport before landing have all made the internet rounds.

Time for the rules. When the subway arrives, stand to the side of (not in front of) the door to let passengers off the train first. Once everyone gets off, then you can board. If the doors are closing right when you get there, don’t panic—and please don’t hold them open. There’s likely another train right behind it. If there are lots of people packed into one car, move to the center to make room for riders filing in behind you. And if you get stuck standing right in front of the door, you’ll need to exit at the next stop to let folks out (just stand to the right or left, and then you can hop back on).

Now for the seating etiquette: They are reserved for butts, not for bags—so don’t hog a spot with your purse. Offer your seat if you see someone who needs it more. If you’re standing and wearing a backpack like a tall schoolchild on a crowded train, take it off and hold it in your hands or place it by your feet so you don’t whack the people behind you. When you’ve finally arrived at your destination and are climbing up the stairs back to life above ground, real New Yorkers will always offer to help carry strollers or heavy suitcases—we’re all in this together.

That subway car is empty for a reason

“Never get on an empty subway car,” says Global Digital Director Arati Menon, “because there’s probably a good reason for it.” Perhaps it’s summer, and the air conditioning broke, or a big spill has sent a carton of fragrant fish soup trickling down the length of the car. Take the cue and go where the other people are, even if it means you don’t get a seat—there’s safety in numbers.

Jaywalking is a precise art

One of the first things you might notice when visiting New York City is that we don’t wait for the crosswalk signal to cross. I mean, really, who has time for that? In fact, jaywalking is so commonplace that it’s now officially legal in New York City—so there’s no need to worry about getting a ticket. However, this does not mean you should blindly follow the person in front of you and cross the street with your phone directions in front of your face. “Locals will mentally time the gap between traffic to a millisecond and it may no longer be safe for you to cross once it’s your turn,” explains our associate editor Hannah Towey, “Before taking the leap, look in the direction that traffic is coming from—both ways if you’re not sure—and then look again for any e-bikes in the bike lane—they are more likely to hit you than a car.”

The sidewalk has similar rules to traffic

Walking is a form of commuting for New Yorkers. Until she moved to Ridgewood earlier this year, Global Features Editor Erin Florio frequently walked to work from Carroll Gardens. “You will see so much city life doing so,” she says. It’s ok to go slow as a tourist and take in the sights, but if you’re going to move glacially, do so with mindfulness. Think of the sidewalk as a two-lane highway. Keep right, first of all. Two pedestrians across, maximum (more on that in a minute). You’re not wearing horse blinders, so try to keep tabs on whether or not someone is trying to get around you—and let them. The faster walker always has the right of way. Why would you cut someone off only to trap them?

Your January 2026 horoscope has arrived. Some years start out sleepy, others start out loud. And this one kicks off in a secret third way—a growing intensity of motivation that doesn’t announce itself before it makes a move. Many of us may be cooking up ambitious schemes for the year ahead that we’re not yet ready to make public. Many will be getting crystal clear on our desires and unmet needs, and then creating a detailed plan that will set us up for success (versus playing it by ear and hoping for the best).

January begins with a pileup of planets in Capricorn, which includes a rare triple conjunction of the Sun, Venus, and Mars. This is the time for planning (maybe one of the best places go in January, if you need trip inspo), organizing your time, and thinking like a project manager. In 2026 specifically, it’ll also be a time of heated tension, keeping your cards close to your chest, and getting quiet enough to hear where your hunger is leading you next. During the first half of January, and especially between January 6 and 9, Venus and Mars are reborn together in the heart of the Sun, and this begins a new story around relationships, desire, ambition, and creativity. This isn’t peaceful energy, to be clear. But it is profoundly clarifying.

Although we might be prone to bickering with our trip companions, directing some of that energy into completing an ambitious itinerary together could be a helpful way to blow off steam. Some of us might find ourselves tempted to be a little naughty, or wrestling with desires we’re not “supposed” to have. Thrill-seeking isn’t always a bad thing, especially if it helps you rekindle your spark. Just know that some impulses could lean toward destructive under these skies, and you can always choose to approach this with curiosity or a desire to understand the deeper itch you’re trying to scratch.

In the second half of January, planets start to congregate in Aquarius, which takes us from “turf war” to “info war,” from “drafting the architectural plan” to “outfitting the castle with smart home technology.” We might be dwelling more in the conceptual, abstract layers than the cold, hard facts of physical reality. This might be a more stimulating time to engage in intellectual debates and challenge your own thought paradigms. A provocative tour guide might get you to question what you’ve been told about a place. A culture unfamiliar to your own might show you what life could be like outside of the matrix you’re a part of.

Assuming you don’t blow your life up on vacation (look, no judgment), and even if you do, you will probably emerge from this month with a clearer view of the mountain you need to climb this year. In February, the new timeline starts to begin in earnest. For now, there’s still some amount of saying goodbye and making peace with the past before we move on for good.

Mexico City’s distinctive charm has made it a white-hot destination in recent years. But in a city this large and turbulent, social decorum and long-standing customs help make daily maneuvering more manageable. Tourists should know that there are many unspoken rules here. Learning a few words in Spanish and being a cognizant traveler are not only helpful to you as a traveler, but helpful to those who call the destination home. Especially as gentrification and the arrival of long-stay visitors continues to reshape this city.

I’m the chef and co-owner of Cicatriz, an all-day-cafe/bar in Colonia Juarez, Mexico City, and a permanent Mexico City resident who has lived here for a decade—so I’m still learning the guiding principles that define the metropolis, but I have also made it a priority to follow the lead of locals, and the unwritten rules they live by. These are my tips for thoughtfully visiting Mexico City—the largest city in North America, and one I feel lucky to call home.

Read our complete Mexico City travel guide here, which includes:

Bring an umbrella

In this mountainous valley, at 7,350 feet above sea level, weather is unpredictable and can shift at a clip. Visitors may be surprised to learn that it rains more in Mexico City than in London, and the summer period, June through September, brings torrential rainstorms (2025 has already broken multiple rain records). Carry an umbrella and wear layers.

Be mindful when crossing the street, whether you’re on foot or bicycle.

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Pedestrians beware

Be extremely careful when crossing the street or riding the bikeshare Ecobici. Cars rarely cede passage to pedestrians (even when it is the walker’s right of way) and frequently ignore traffic lights and signals. Look both ways and opposite directions when crossing a street. If you bike, know that bike lanes are often inhabited by any mix of the following: bicycles going the contrary direction, packs of teenagers smoking, and motorcycles cutting through traffic.

Tip 20%

If you customarily tip 20% in restaurants back home, then why not extend the courtesy here? While peso-earning locals may tip 10 to 15%, those making American dollars and Euros with a favorable exchange rate should strongly consider tipping what you would at home—the act goes even further here. I promise the service staff will greatly appreciate it. And hey, you’ll likely be spending less going out to eat than you do at home anyways. Make the gesture.

Don’t assume that people speak English

Mexico is in North America, of course, but most of the population does not speak English. Do not expect them to. Learning a few simple courtesies, like “gracias”, “por favor”, and “buenas tardes” is respectful and kind. Translation apps on your phone like Google Translate or Apple Translate makes easy work of it.

Carry cash

While most formal restaurants take debit and credit cards, with the mango vender, tamale seller, and anyone else you see on the street, cash will be necessary. Additionally, keep a stash of 5 and 10 peso coins in your pocket. It is common—and kind—to hand out a coin or two to the person bagging your groceries, street musicians, and children selling candy.

Go beyond Roma and Condesa

The tourist corridor of Roma and Condesa draws in foreigners and tourists like moths to a flame, and for good reason—these neighborhoods are chock full of green parks, restaurants, bars, and boutique hotels, and they ooze an idyllic charm. These neighborhoods, however, are just a speck in a city of almost 600 square miles with dozens of unique ‘hoods and are two that are strained by upscaling and overtourism. Go elsewhere if you want a more realistic representation of what life is like for the 22 million people who call Mexico City home. Narvarte, with two large, criss-crossing avenues, is home to many excellent taquerias; Parque Hundido, in Extremadura Insurgentes, is a great place to stroll; and all four quadrants of Centro are historically and culturally significant.

If you’re as travel obsessed as the Condé Nast Traveler staff, the first thing you do when the company holiday calendar lands in your inbox is immediately plot out all of your upcoming trips for the next year. In 2026, I’m personally determined to maximize my vacation days so that I always have a getaway to look forward to, without letting any precious PTO go to waste.

This is where a little planning can go a long way, especially if you’re planning a lengthy bucket-list trip, like a snow leopard safari in northern India or hiking Japan’s ancient pilgrimage trails.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American gets 15 days of vacation after five years of working at a private company. That may not seem like much when compared to our European counterparts, but by being strategic about which dates you request, you can stretch that to up to 45 days—nearly 7 weeks—of vacation.

Below, I’ve outlined a few easy ways to hack the holiday calendar for yourself. It’s a common trick: by linking your personal time off with US federal holidays and weekends, you can get more overall time out of the office and out in the world.

Since every office schedule is a bit different, these suggestions are geared toward people who get all US federal holidays off. I’ve chosen the following schedule to maximize PTO while providing windows for both long and short trips, but you can always redistribute days from the longer breaks and tack them onto a holiday of your choice. It’s your time, so do with it as you will—and when you’re ready to plan, know that we’ve got you covered on hotel, restaurant, and cruise recommendations for wherever you’re headed.

Here’s how to maximize your vacation days in 2026. Plus, our picks for where you should spend them.

Three long holiday weekends (nine days of vacation)

In 2026, Christmas Day, Juneteenth, and July 3rd (an officially observed holiday since July 4 is on a Saturday) all fall on Fridays, meaning they create three automatic long weekends, adding nine vacation days to the total count. If you prefer planning trips around any of those three dates instead of the below, cut PTO from any of the longer breaks and take off Thursday or Monday around one of the Friday federal holidays instead.

Take off January 2 (four days of vacation)

Start the new year off right by taking off Friday, January 2, and creating a long, four-day weekend. Whether you want to spend some time getting a jump start on your New Year‘s resolution, plan to relax and recoup after the holiday season at home, or take a romantic weekend trip somewhere special, taking off the second day of the year ensures you’ll have a nice, long break before getting started on all of your 2026 work goals. Personally, the Condé Nast Traveler team will be spending our first OOO of 2026 in London, Mexico City, Manila, and New York.

Take off January 20-23 (nine days of vacation)

January can be one of the gloomiest months of the year, thanks to its shorter days, colder weather, and the lull that comes from knowing the holiday season is firmly in the rearview mirror. To make the most of it, take off January 20-23, the week following Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 19), and head somewhere new for nine whole days of vacation. Our recs? Defrost from the winter chill and head to warmer climes, say in Mexico‘s Riviera Nayarit, or bundle up for a snow-topped trip to Norway or Salt Lake City, Utah—all of which are included on our list of the best places to go in January.

Take off February 17-20 (nine days of vacation)

Presidents’ Day falls on Monday, February 16, this year, so if you you count the preceding weekend and take off February 17-20, you can enjoy a long, 9-day vacation for just 4 days of PTO. That’s enough time for a long-haul trip across the globe, like Hong Kong (one of our Best Places to Go in Asia in 2026), or to unplug in Costa Rica on a leisurely surf trip in the sun. Prefer to lean into the cold weather? Venture to Big Sky, Montana, or Switzerland to enjoy ski season. (For more inspiration, see our full list of the best places to go in February.)

Take off May 26-27 (five days of vacation)

Extend your Memorial Day weekend with just two PTO days. For some, the Friday before Memorial Day is a half-day, which means you’ll actually get five and a half days off. This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, so taking off the following Tuesday and Wednesday means extending your weekend by double time. This is the perfect time for a quick trip to your hometown or a relaxing staycation—especially since many US destinations can get crowded, and prices rise, right as peak summer travel season kicks off.

Take off November 23-25 and 27 (nine days of vacation)

This year, Thanksgiving lands on Thursday, November 26, so if you take November 23-25 and November 27 off, you’ll be able to luxuriate in a nine-day vacation for the price of four PTO days. (If you get Black Friday off—or are just looking to extend your vacation—take off the following Monday, November 30 instead.) While this is a great time to soak up some R&R with family, maybe you’ll choose to take time for yourself in Chiang Mai, Thailand, or the Seychelles, two of our best places to go in November. Better yet? Convince the family to go with you.

Alternative: Take off December 23-24 instead of May 26-27 (five days of vacation)

An alternative option to traveling over Memorial Day is to save those two PTO days you’d use in May and use them on December 23 and 24. Either way, two days of PTO turn into five days of vacation. That’s the perfect amount of time for snuggling up with a good book in a quiet wintry cabin, or for a short ski trip to Banff before the end of the year. For those who have company-wide closures between December 25 and January 1, you’ll be able to secure 12 days of vacation for just two PTO days. If you’re lucky enough to have that much uninterrupted time off, we recommend using those two weeks to book that once-in-a-lifetime bucket list trip, like an Antarctica expedition cruise. The Cotswolds, England, and Frankfurt, Germany, are also great winter options thanks to their excellent Christmas markets—and are sure to be filled with festive holiday-season charm. If you’re looking for something a bit warmer, consider Malaysia or Belize. (All five destinations are some of our picks for the best places to go in December.)

Come the evening of December 31, the AMC Empire 25 movie theater on 42nd Street changes into a New Year’s extravaganza, aided with plenty of movie magic. While movie-going and overflowing buckets of buttery popcorn are on the table, that’s just the beginning. The party really kicks off with visits to the open bar, live entertainment, and a Champagne toast. Every ticket even includes access to the sixth-floor “Platinum View Terrace,” with guaranteed views of the live ball drop. This year’s screenings include Zootopia 2, Wicked: For Good, and Marty Supreme, among others. This is the family-friendly New Year’s event you won’t want to miss.

A watch party for under $100: Frames Bowling Lounge

When: December 31, 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Where: Frames Bowling Lounge, 550 9th Ave.
Price: Starting at $99
How to book: Tickets available online

Who said you couldn’t ball on a budget while watching the ball drop? Frames Bowling Lounge offers a ticket just shy of $100. A brisk 10-minute walk away from Times Square, the lounge’s party starts at 7 p.m. and lasts til 2 a.m. The ball drop is cast on every angle from the venue’s wall-to-wall TVs, and the new year is welcomed with none other than a Champagne toast. Keep the good times going at the open bar, live DJ, buffet stations with kid-approved food (i.e., chicken tenders), and, of course, bowling, bowling, and bowling. Upgrade your ticket for table service, private lanes, and other perks.

A magical rooftop bar: Moxy Times Square

When: December 31, 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Where: Moxy NYC Times Square, 485 7th Ave.
Price: Starting at $175
How to book: Tickets available online

The tickets for the rooftop at the Moxy have actually dropped for this year. That might just be all it takes to convince us the ditch our black tie tuxedoes and cinch a spot at one of Midtown’s most colorful hotels, Moxy NYC Times Square. The hotel’s rooftop bar, Magic Hour, is throwing an all-night New Year’s Eve party featuring what’s touted as an “urban amusement park” with “State Fair-inspired light bites,” plus an open bar and a Champagne toast at midnight. Bonus: The hotel is just a few blocks away from Times Square. While it’s one of the most affordable ways to watch the ball drop this year, trust that the price point does not subtract from its sheer class.

Mosquera makes a compelling case for embracing the rainy season: “It’s actually my favorite time. The site becomes magical with fewer crowds given that overtourism is one of Machu Picchu’s greatest threats. The rain isn’t nearly as disruptive as people imagine, as it mainly falls in the evenings, not all day. February is particularly special because the Inca Trail closes for maintenance, making the site even quieter.”

The wet season transforms the landscape dramatically. Stone terraces flush vibrant green, hidden waterfalls emerge, and morning mist creates atmospheric reveals of the citadel. The timing also aligns perfectly with Peru’s coastal summer. “More travelers are discovering this split-season strategy,” says Mosquera. “You can explore misty ruins early in the trip, then travel down to Lima’s world-class restaurants or Máncora’s beaches where summer’s in full swing.” Temperatures at Machu Picchu remain moderate year-round, with rain typically following predictable afternoon patterns rather than all-day downpours.

When is peak season in Machu Picchu?

While June through August marks the traditional peak season, visitor patterns create multiple surge periods throughout the year. The rhythm begins with Holy Week in late March, when domestic travelers arrive en masse, overlapping with North American spring break crowds from mid-March through April. The longest surge runs from late June through early November, when the Ministry of Culture formally increases daily capacity to 5,600 visitors.Cultural celebrations intensify these patterns. “Inti Raymi, on June 24th, transforms the entire region,” explains Cochran. “It’s the most important celebration in the Incan calendar, and Cusco erupts with traditional dances all month.” Similar surges occur around Peru’s Independence Day (July 28), when domestic tourism peaks. Visitors during these windows should book earlier and target dawn or post-2 p.m. entries for calmer experiences.

How many days do I need to spend in Machu Picchu as a first-timer?

The three-hour basic circuit belies the time needed for a complete experience. “Plan for four to five nights minimum in the Cusco region,” advises Cochran. “You need time to adjust to the altitude—we’re talking 8,000 feet above sea level—but more importantly, you need time to grasp the bigger picture.” The citadel reveals different facets through its various circuits, from sophisticated urban planning to precise celestial alignments. The complete narrative emerges through exploring the surrounding Sacred Valley, where sites like Pumamarca fortress and Huchuy Qosqo provide context without crowds, positioning Machu Picchu as the pinnacle of an entire civilization rather than an isolated wonder.

When visiting Machu Picchu for the first time, where should I go?

Understanding Machu Picchu’s circuit system before booking proves essential. The site operates three main circuits with multiple route variations, each emphasizing different viewpoints and archaeological zones. Certain dramatic trails—including the Inca Bridge and Intipunku (Sun Gate)—open exclusively during high season (June 1 to October 15) when weather conditions permit safe passage.

The Panoramic Circuit (Circuit 1) delivers iconic postcard views. Its premium Machu Picchu Mountain trail (Route 1-A) requires an early start (7 a.m. or 9 a.m. slots) and approximately four hours round-trip, ascending 3,000 stone steps to reveal the entire complex from above. For less strenuous options, the Upper Terrace route (1-B) provides classic vistas without the climb.

All of the largest US airlines have been fined before by the Department of Transportation for violating the tarmac delay rules. In 2023, American Airlines was fined a record-breaking $4.1 million for holding 43 domestic flights on the tarmac for lengthy periods without giving passengers a chance to deplane between 2018 and 2021, according to the DOT.

In 2021, United Airlines was fined $1.9 million for holding 20 domestic flights and five international flights on the tarmac at various US airports for a “lengthy” amount of time without giving passengers a chance to deplane, according to the DOT.

Delta and Southwest Airlines have also faced the consequences for holding fliers on the tarmac too long. Delta was fined $750,000 in March 2019 for 11 flights delayed for hours on the tarmac between January 2017 and February 2018; most of those delays were connected to a power outage in Atlanta, Delta’s main hub. Southwest was fined $1.6 million in 2015 for hours-long tarmac delays of 16 aircraft at Chicago’s Midway Airport.

Are these delays happening more often?

Unfortunately for passengers, as global temperatures continue to get hotter, tarmac delays will likely happen more often. “During the hottest parts of the day, 10 to 30 percent of fully loaded planes may have to remove some fuel, cargo or passengers, or else wait for cooler hours to fly,” says a 2017 study from Columbia University’s Climate School.

“Higher temperatures make air less dense, so planes need to generate more lift,” says a recent article from Columbia University’s Climate School. “In some cases, they might not have enough runway to achieve the necessary speed. Or they may be forced to reduce the weight they are carrying.”

That means potentially more tarmac delays as crew realize after boarding the plane is too heavy and begin to bump passengers from flights, remove cargo from the luggage hold, and make other adjustments. Making matters even more complicated is the fact that “high temperatures may also limit how long ground crews can work outside,” Columbia reports, which means that adjustments to cargo weight—or even normal luggage-loading procedures—could be delayed as well.

Your December 2025 horoscope has arrived! Now, a lot was rearranged under November’s skies, which was mostly owing to a chaotic Mercury Retrograde that asked us to dig deeper beneath the mess. As we emerge from this pocket of brief turmoil, there is probably more clarity now heading into December regarding the obstacles that still lay ahead, as well as real potential solutions we can try. However, the tension between hope and nihilism is real. A herd of planets in Sagittarius galloping into the first part of the month reflects our enthusiasm and desire to forge ahead, but they must all face off with Saturn and Neptune, which are both currently plucking the string of despair in the collective. In particular, Mars square Saturn on December 8 finds us running into obstacles we underestimated in our arrogance, as well as confronting a less tangible crisis of faith regarding whether the thing we’re trying to do is even possible. However, Mars enters Capricorn on December 15, and this will only deepen our resolve to persevere and refuse to be intimidated by the mountain we need to climb.

It may also feel as though we’re being presented with a choice this month: stay the same, or change forever? Some of us may literally be weighing two or more potential timelines, and the decisions we make in December will feel consequential enough to nudge our destiny in one direction or another. No pressure though. It’s just old stories collapsing and resolving as we stand on the threshold of a brand new world.

From a frequent flier’s window seat point of view, December’s skies are much more manageable than November’s. With Mercury now direct, we’re returning to “business as usual” when it comes to ease of movement, more or less (the space weather around December 8, 10, and 30 could present as frustrating for travelers, give or take a day or two). Rather than assume the stance of an agitated desk agent coping with your canceled reservations, ride into your next adventure like Indiana Jones, eager for the next challenge. Hell, go horseback riding. Does Indiana Jones avoid the mountain just because he’ll need to dodge some tumbling boulders along the way? No, and you, too, may feel more emboldened this month to go where a more timid version of you would not have gone before.

Astrologer’s note: Below we refer to your signs as “rising” signs, also known as your ascendant sign. Horoscopes are more accurate when read this way—using your birth time and location, you can quickly find your rising sign online (it takes less than 30 seconds).

Aries Rising

So your original vision was compromised. Is that a reason to give up on the adventure altogether? Even if you messed up en route to your ecotourism stay, the town where the Uber left you instead has its own gifts to offer. Still, there’s that small matter of finding a new way to the next stop. As you begin to course-correct after the mess that Mercury Retrograde left last month, there is still the question of proceeding on your journey and dealing with the obstacle course you can’t sidestep. Whether you’re far from home and in a small bit of a pickle or you’re troubleshooting your way through the bureaucracy of academia, you can move into this month with the assurance that it’ll all get figured out eventually, but now is not the time to bypass the friction.

Said friction will probably peak in the first week of the month, in the days leading up to Mars forming a square with Saturn on December 8. There could be literal roadblocks preventing you from moving as freely as you’d like across national borders, as well as a certain kind of spiritual exhaustion that feels like teen angst on an existential level. And you’d probably love to be able to wave it off like that, but it’s actually pretty serious, even if you’re using humor to cope. The good news is that that dead weight in your spirit that’s been laying there like a soggy blanket is moving closer to resolution, and maybe this is just you hitting that critical point where you get tired enough of your own BS to move out of freeze mode and stop indulging the part of you that wants to hide and mope.

Steffy Tellez Schnaas, a holistic wellness consultant at One&Only Mandarina in Nayarit, tells me that living in Tulum is almost too easy for her. According to astrocartography, she’s supposed to feel this way. The practice uses someone’s astrological birth chart—that is, an in-depth study of personality traits based on when and where a person was born—to create a world map intersected with lines representing where luck, love, transformation, or even just good vibes await. When we chat over Zoom, she’s brought both her personal chart and my own to demonstrate.

In Schnaas’ case, a Venus line for love, luxury, and ease runs directly through Tulum. “Within three months [of moving to Tulum], I ended up buying a house, and one year later I grew my business threefold,” she says. That success led to partnerships with high-end resorts like Rosewood Mayakoba and Four Seasons, Naviva, and a black book of travel agents who now regularly reach out with their clients’ birth charts, asking for honeymoon suggestions per her astrocartography analysis.

Though astrocartography has been around since the 1970s, when it was created by astrologer Jim Lewis, its popularity has been on the rise in recent years—much like that of astrology in general, which has grown into a $3 billion dollar industry in 2025, and is projected to triple in the next half-decade. According to Pew Research Center, 30% of Americans follow astrology, which also explains why it feels so palpably part of the zeitgeist. Given astrocartography’s ties to place, it’s no wonder that travelers have taken an interest. If astrology can give us a way to understand our daily lives, astrocartography can, perhaps, provide a roadmap for understanding the places we go.

If you ask Schnaas, astrocartography can also tell you where not to go—or, which places may be more challenging, and even life-changing, as a result. Just before she found easy living in Tulum, Schnaas learned about astrocartography after a traumatic accident in the Middle East. “One of the biggest life shifts for me was when I broke my spine while living in Dubai,” she says. She then learned that the city was intersected by her Saturn and Mars lines of karma and confrontation—but a look at the lines over Tulum led to her harmonious new home.

Simone Alyssa, a 37-year-old lifestyle content creator, has actually moved seven times based on her astrocartography report. Before the pandemic, Simone Alyssa (who prefers to go by her first and middle name) was only traveling or relocating based on where work sent her. Once she quit her corporate role to pursue social media full-time, Simone Alyssa sought new sources of inspiration to decide where to go next. That’s when she discovered astrocartography.