Charleston, South Carolina

Established in 1670, Charleston is a charming, romantic, southern town that is the ideal weekend getaway for our lovely Libras. As the queen of aesthetics, you’ll appreciate the effort the city puts into maintaining its authentic, antebellum appearance. It’s a place full of rich history that will keep you occupied for hours.

Part of the fun in Charleston is wandering through the brightly colored buildings and down the streets and cobblestone paths on your own, but if you’re going to take a guided tour, there are several approaches.  We highly recommend Frankly Charleston.  This small, family and POC-owned company offers many different tour options, and even motorized tours for those who have limited mobility.  Even while learning about the darker history of the city, this tour-guide family makes you feel safe and secure.

For more options, we all know how dreamy and romantic a horse-drawn carriage can be, so you could book a tour through Old South Carriage Company. If a walking tour sounds more your speed, you should check out Walks of Charleston. There are also boat tours, sunset cruises, and even a guided kayak tour from Charleston Outdoor Adventures! 

Fancy a cuppa? The Charleston Tea Garden is the only “tea garden” in North America where you can experience hundreds of thousands of tea bushes, acre after acre!  It’s located on Wadmalaw Island, only a few miles south of the city. You can take a trolley tour through the grounds — which consist of over 127 beautiful acres — and taste-test the nine flavors of tea they make on the premises! 

And you simply cannot miss the Charleston City Market, which features both a day market and a weekend night market with live music and ample opportunities for you to satisfy your shopping addiction. Allow yourself to meander through over three-hundred local stalls and vendors. It’s one of the best places to find the perfect artisan souvenir for your friends and family! Then, take a stroll along the beautiful Battery promenade to view its famous and elegant homes, then pause to watch the sun set over the harbor — or (if you’re feeling brave enough) take a ghost tour to learn more about one of the most haunted cities in America!

Yosemite National Park, California

There’s a reason Yosemite is considered the most beautiful national park in the US, so it’s not surprising that this park should be at the top of your bucket list, Libras! Since it is one of the most popular parks, you will need a reservation. You’ll also need to make a reservation if you plan on staying at any of the campgrounds (which we highly recommend), so be sure to check the official website for details before you make this worthwhile trek!

Whether by foot, car, bike, or even horseback, there are so many ways to explore this breathtaking national park. Since it’s so big — I’m talking about as big as the state of Rhode Island — we recommend a combination! Scenic drives like the Yosemite Valley Loop, Tioga Road, and Glacier Point Road are a must and offer spectacular views of the park. There are over 750 miles of hiking trails to explore across the park, and you simply have to visit Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures or Mariposa Mountain Riders to try your hand at horseback riding, or the Wawona Stable to try their sure-footed mules. No matter your skill level, there are always options!

Yosemite Valley is one of the most popular places to hike. Here you can see Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, cascading a magnificent 2,425 feet! In the spring and summer, if the moon is full and the night is clear, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the mystical lunar rainbow (or moonbow, if you will). But if you visit in mid-to-late February, don’t fret, because during this time of the year, you can see the famous El Capitan and Half Dome (also in the valley) glowing as if they’re on fire. The sunlight plays this trick by reflecting off the granite formations at sunset, illuminating the rock in vibrant oranges and reds. 

Cool off from the warm, California sun by taking a dip in Mirror Lake — where you can also get incredible shots of Half Dome reflected in the water — or pay your respects to the natives of the land by visiting the Indian Village of Ahwahnee, a representation of a Southwestern Sierra Miwok Village that stands behind the Yosemite Museum.

No matter where you go in the park, you’ll be met by extraordinary, picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views even better than your wildest dreams, Libra!

Marseille, France

While I’m sure Paris is at the top of your bucket list, my charming Libra, I implore you to travel south to the beautiful port city of Marseille.  Along just a three-hour train ride, you are rewarded with gorgeous vistas of the sprawling French countryside as you speed toward France’s second most populous city.

Built by the Greeks in 600 BC, Marseille is the oldest city in France, and it’s known as the gateway to the French Riviera. This city experiences the most sunny days of any of the French Mediterranean beach villages, so be sure to pack your sunscreen! There is a plethora of beaches here to provide ample opportunities to soak up the sun, with the most popular being the family-friendly Plages du Prado, which offers lifeguarded swimming. 

For the most beautiful spot, however, check out the Pomègues Island beaches on the Frioul Archipelago. If you are up to an hour hike once you hit the island port, there is a rocky cove called the Calanque de la Crine that is said to be idyllic and pristine — ideal for Instagram-worthy photoshoots!

Another beach spot that you simply must see is a bit out of the way. You’re going to have to hike about an hour through The Calanques National Park, a must-see attraction just outside the city, to Calanque de Marseilleveyre,  a small cove of glistening blue water surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. It’s the perfect, stunning getaway from the city and offers a true respite from civilization.

The Vieux Port (Old Port) is said to be the heart of Marseille. Here, you can take in breathtaking views of the harbor, take a ferry ride to the ancient castle fortress and prison featured in The Count of Monte Cristo (Château d’If), and sample some incredible gourmet food. You have to visit Chez Fonfon, a bustling seafood restaurant that serves the best bouillabaisse (fish stew, the local delicacy) in the city! But be sure to leave yourself time for the best photo-ops of the oldest architecture in the city, exploring down the winding roads of Le Panier, Marseille’s old town district. These colorful buildings mark the area the ancient Greeks inhabited and is one of the most multicultural sections of the city! Who knows what little treasures you’ll find?