

2023 is the year of claiming your freedom and exploring the beauty of this world. Now we all know Sagittarius are known for traveling and they know all about the importance of an adventure. However, each sign can benefit from a vacation or two often, and this is the year to put some of your destination dreams and bucket lists into motion. With more areas around the world lifting restrictions and travel being more prevalent in 2023, we’ve broken down some of the best places to travel in 2023 based on your zodiac sign.
ARIES
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MARRAKECH, MOROCCO
Marrakech is all about the vibe and energy, something Aries excels in. You want a vacation that is fun, exciting, and something that you planned yourself and that you find positive direction in. Marrakech is known for its five-star restaurants and spas, lush gardens, diversity of nature, rich cuisine, fashion, markets, and overall luxury services. Marrakech is the tourist hub of Morocco, and there is so much to do there to fuel your infinite amount of energy, Aries.
TAURUS
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DUBAI
Taurus is the chill, down-to-earth earth sign, but those who know you well know you love a little luxury in your life. Taurus wants the best of the best for themselves and works hard on getting there. Take a trip to Dubai in 2023 to explore one of the wealthiest cities in the world, and enrich yourself with the beautiful culture there. Dubai is on many people’s bucket lists and rightfully so. Some things to do while you’re visiting are to go to Burj Khalifa, ride a camel in the desert, go to the Jumeirah Mosque, explore their many shopping areas, and more.
GEMINI
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JAPAN
With travel restrictions lifted in many areas of the world now, Japan is one of the most popular places to visit in 2023. There is something futuristic about Japan and its culture, and this energy screams Gemini. Some things to do while visiting are to go to visit the Tokyo Skytree, go to Mount Fuji, enjoy some delicious Japanese cuisine, learn more about the history of Japan, explore the architecture, and you can even party with robots in Tokyo. As a Gemini, you want to explore your inner curiosities and expand your knowledge always, and a vacation that gives you that is everything.
CANCER
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AMALFI COAST, ITALY
Now we all know your favorite place to be is in the comfort of your home, but a nice getaway is good for the soul, Cancer. With all of the Italy hype over the past year, you can feel a little more comfortable going to this destination spot as you know it’s been well-visited and adored. The Amalfi Coast is on the edge of the water, filled with charming towns and restaurants. The views are impeccable and one of the best times to visit is during Cancer Season in July. A birthday trip to Italy is perfect for you this year, Cancer.
LEO
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CHILE
Chile is one of the safest countries to visit in South America. It is known for its impeccable food and drinks, views, land, and more. It also happens to be one of the best places in the world for stargazing, which fits perfectly for a star like yourself, Leo. You can visit Isla Magdalena and play with penguins, explore the art and culture there, enjoy their famous wine or beer tasting, stargaze in the desert, and visit one of their many national parks. Chileans know how to have fun, and that is what 2023 is calling for Leo, more fun!
VIRGO
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BALI
Virgo, if anyone needs a getaway, it is you. You tend to work more than you play, and even when you do take time off, it’s typically spent worrying over other things you can be doing. However, productivity also includes putting the right time and focus into leisure time and things that reboot your energy. Bali is the perfect spot to visit this year, as this spiritual destination is all about nature, exploration, and peace. Although the plane ticket there can cost a pretty penny, the area itself is very affordable and budget-friendly. Explore the beautiful vastness of this vacation spot in 2023, Virgo.
LIBRA
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PARIS
Libra, with your romantic soul, a trip to the city of love is perfect for you in 2023. This is an important year when it comes to relationships with the South Node moving into your sign this year and a time when you will be exploring this area of your life more. Relationships are going to be feeling a little more pressure this year, and you are on the journey of figuring out where you can let go, and where you can move forward in love. Paris is the perfect spot to go to do just that. Paris is known for its romance, art, and fashion- all the things that you love, Libra.
SCORPIO
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TURKS AND CAICOS
Visit the islands of Turks and Caicos this year, Scorpio. You are an emotional soul, and with that comes times of trying to navigate your deep emotional world. Sunshine and water are therapeutic for you, and that is where you should focus your plans when thinking about where to vacation this year. When it comes to Turks and Caicos, stay at an all-inclusive resort or rent your own villa for the best experience, and make sure to stick to a budget while you’re there as things can get pricy. This is the best place to go to feel those vacation vibes and relax in luxury. Not to mention, there is a fun nightlife to explore while visiting as well for some more fun.
SAGITTARIUS
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COSTA RICA
Costa Rica has been a popular travel destination over the past few years, and may just be one place you haven’t ventured to yet. This year, explore the vast jungles of this country. Costa Rica is known for its beautiful national parks with so many activities to do there. Sagittarius loves a vacation that involves trying something new and most importantly, having fun. In Costa Rica, you can do ziplining, river rafting, visit waterfalls, go on hikes, and more.
CAPRICORN
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ICELAND
Now Iceland may not be the first destination on your bucket list but here me out. Capricorn is the sea goat and thrives in mountains and on land. You can see the beautiful northern lights, bathe in the Blue Lagoon, visit ice caves, and more. Iceland has been getting more tourist attractions recently and is quite honestly one of the most beautiful places in the world. Venture away from the norm this year and try something new when it comes to choosing a destination spot.
AQUARIUS
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JOSHUA TREE, CA
Aquarius thrives both in community and isolation. You value your friendships and your people, however, you do need a lot more alone time than most. A good trip to take this year is a journey through the desert. Joshua Tree is only a few hours away from Los Angeles and is the perfect place to escape away from a busy city. You can visit the Joshua Tree National Park and hike through the area, visit some of the best vintage shops in all of California, take a dip in the hot springs, and stay at some of the most unique and relaxing Airbnbs in the U.S.
PISCES
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THE BAHAMAS
The Bahamas is the perfect balance between relaxation and fun. There is so much to do in the Bahamas and it is the best place for Pisces as it's known for its beautiful beaches, a Pisces' fondest love. While you’re there you can try snorkeling or diving with your fellow fish friends, go on a boat tour, visit one of their luxurious private islands, eat delicious Bahamian cuisine, and dance and learn from the locals. With Saturn moving into Pisces this year where it will remain for the next few years if there was ever a time to vacation, it is now, as you are going to need it.
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- The Best Place to Travel According to Your Zodiac Sign | Jetsetter ›
- How To Travel This Year, According to Your Zodiac Sign | Well+Good ›
- Here's Where You Should Go on Vacation, Based on Your Zodiac Sign ›
- Where You Should Travel Solo, Based on Your Zodiac Sign ›
- Every Zodiac Sign Has a Dream Travel Destination—Here's Yours ... ›
- The Destination You Should Visit in 2022, Based on Your Zodiac Sign ›
Tayler Barakat is a Mystic who has studied Astrology for over a decade. She does intuitive astrology and tarot readings for people all over the world, and her work focuses on healing and empowering individuals. Follow her on Instagram @taylerbarakat_ and check out her website www.listentothevirgo.com.
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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Be Careful. Those Casual Friendships Can Be Red Flags Too.
A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to someone vent about an area of frustration that they couldn’t seem to get to the root of — why they keep getting taken advantage of by certain individuals. When you’ve been a life coach for as long as I have (and you were a journalist before that), you learn how to ask certain questions that can cause people to consider things that they may never have before.
So, when I asked her, “What is the common thread with all of those folks? And sit still for two minutes before answering,” when she finally heard her own self speak, her eyes got wide and her mouth dropped open: “They’re all people who I’m not really sure what they are in my life.”
Ding. Ding. DING.
A life coach by the name of Thomas Leonard once said that “Clarity affords focus” and, believe you me, when it comes to dealing with other human beings, if you don’t get clear on where you stand when it comes to your interactions with them, you can very easily find yourself “focusing too much” on those who don’t deserve it and too little on those who absolutely do. And y’all, this lil’ PSA couldn’t be more relevant than when it comes to what I call “casual friendships.”
Let’s dig — and for some of us, dig our way out of — what it means to have a casual friend, so that you can get clear on if you really need those in your life…and if so…why?
Article continues after the video.
It Can’t Be Said Enough: Always Remember What “Casual” Means
There’s a reason why I decided to share two videos by mental health coach Isaiah Frizzle at the top and bottom of this article. It’s because a lot of what he shares in both of them complements a piece that I wrote for the platform last year entitled, “This Is Just What Purposeful Relationships Look Like.”
It’s the author M. Scott Peck who once said, “Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it” and please believe that the older (and hopefully more mature) you get, the more you tend to see just how valuable — and fleeting — time is; and that is what plays a huge role in motivating you want to only involve yourself with people, places, things and ideas that will honor your time — and when something is casual? In my opinion, it’s highly debatable that it’s worth much of your months, days, hours, or even too many of your minutes.
The main reason why is addressed in an article that I wrote back in the day entitled, “We Should Really Rethink The Term 'Casual Sex.'” The gist? When it comes to relationships, “casual” is certainly not a favorite word of mine because I know what it means. Have mercy — why would you want to invest your time, energy, and emotions into something that is, by definition, apathetic, indifferent, careless, lacking emotional intimacy, and/or is without purpose?
I don’t know about y’all but that sounds like a complete and total crap shoot to me — especially if you are going to go so far as to consider this type of dynamic a true friendship (check out “Ever Wonder If A Friend Is Just...Not That Into You?,” “6 Signs You're About To Make A Huge Mistake In Making Them A Close Friend,” “5 Signs Of A Toxic Friendship That Is Secretly Poisoning Your Life,” “12 Friend Facts That Might Cause You To Rethink (Some Of) Your Own,” and “Less & Less Of Us Have Close Friends These Days. Why Is That?” ).
To me, when you decide to call someone “friend,” it means that they are loyal, reliable, consistent, trustworthy and willing to be there to support you to the very best of their ability — even if it’s inconvenient to do so sometimes (check out “Life Taught Me That True Friendships Are 'Inconvenient'”). How in the world can you expect that from something that has the word “casual” in it?
And you know what? That actually segues into my next point about casual friendships pretty darn well.
Ponder the Purpose “Casual Friends” Serve in Your Life
A couple of years ago, Verywell Mind published an article entitled, “How the 4 Types of Friendship Fit Into Your Life.” The four that it listed were acquaintances (which I actually don’t consider to be friends; check out “6 Differences Between A Close Acquaintance And An Actual Friend”), casual friends, close friends, and lifelong friends. After reading the piece, I think they consider casual friends to be the “pleasure” friends that I mentioned in the article, “According To Aristotle, We Need ‘Utility’, ‘Pleasure’ & ‘Good’ Friends.”
And although I certainly get that, I think my “cause for pause” is calling those people “friends” when they probably should be called something like an associate or possibly even a buddy instead. Why do I feel this way? Well, I’ve shared in other articles that I think social media has jacked up vocabulary words and their true meaning on a billion different levels.
Take “friend,” for example. Facebook had us out here calling everyone we connected to on their platform “friends” when some of them, we’ve never even spoken to before — and I personally think that influenced, affected and perhaps even infected our psyche to the point where we will call folks, both online and off, “friend” even when they haven’t earned it and/or who possibly don’t deserve it.
That said, do I think that we all could use lighthearted interactions that don’t go very deep and are filled with not much more than fun? Sure. However, if we were to move this over into a sexual thing — those types of people would probably be called a sneaky link, and there is nothing significant or substantial about ‘em. In fact, if anything pretty much automatically comes with an expiration date, sneaky links would have to be it.
And that’s kind of the point that I’m trying to make about a casual friend — so long as you know that the word “casual” is being used to describe them, while you may enjoy the people who fit that bill, they aren’t really anything that you can or even should fully rely on. Instead, take them for what they are and don’t really expect much more than that. Otherwise, you could be in for some profound levels of disappointment. And who wants that?
Final point.
How a Casual Friend Can Become a Huge Red Flag
I’m telling you, y’all gonna quit clowning Tubi. LOL. To me, the best way to describe it is it’s the Cricket of current streaming apps. What I mean by that is, back when Cricket (the cell phone service) first came out, people, like me, who used it service got incessantly clowned because it was seen as a bootleg provider. Now it’s owned by AT&T, and as someone who has rocked with them since I was in my 20s, I don’t have one regret for doing so. Cricket has always been good to me, chile.
And Tubi? Well, when you get a chance, check out CNBC’s article, “CEO at 33, Tubi’s Anjali Sud on success hacks she learned at Amazon, IAC on way to top of Fox streaming” — take note of the moves the streaming app is making and the quality of programming that is transpiring in real time.
Anyway, I find myself bringing up Tubi more and more in my content because it helps to amplify some of the points that I like to make. This time, it’s a movie that’s (currently) on there calledRight Man, Wrong Woman. If you haven’t seen it before, I don’t want to give too much of the film away. What I will say is that the main female character, she had a casual friend and then she had a close friend.
That casual friend—the one who liked to kick it all of the time—was a lot of fun; however, dealing with her came with a ton of semi-unforeseen consequences. Meanwhile, the close friend? She’s what the Aristotle article (that I mentioned earlier) would call the “good friend” because she tried her best to hold her friend accountable.
And really, it shouldn’t be a shock that the casual friend turned out to be a plum trip because if someone is loads of entertainment and pleasure and yet they are indifferent towards you, they make careless decisions around you and/or they don’t really make known the purpose for you being in their life other than to pass some time — where really do you and that person have to go past drinks after work or dinner on a rooftop restaurant from time to time? And if that is all that the two of you are doing, again, why are they deserving of the word “friend”?
Hmph and don’t get me started on the lack of reciprocity that typically transpires when it comes to dealing with people like this because, while they won’t mind you spending your coins on them, taking their calls in the middle of the night or listening to all of their issues — when it comes time for them to show up for you, they very well may gaslight you into thinking that you are being dramatic, clingy or “doing the most.” Why? Well, it’s mostly because the two of you never really established what the hell the both of you are to one another.
And so, while you’re somewhere taking them seriously, they are out here seeing you casually, and as much as it might hurt to hear, that doesn’t automatically or necessarily make them a bad person. You shouldn’t expect much where no clarity is involved. After all, casual is just that: CASUAL.
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I’m hoping that you can now see why I entitled this piece in the way that I did. It’s because a red flag is pretty much a warning, and to me, a casual friend is about as big of an oxymoron (again, to me) as casual sex is. Friends and sex are both too intimate to be seen or treated casually. Oh, but if you step out and take that risk, you could find yourself getting far more involved than the other individual ever wanted to go, because casual is how things have always been. “Friend” was simply to get you more mentally and emotionally invested. SMDH.
American columnist Walter Winchell once said, “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” A wise person once said, “One good friendship will outlive forty average loves." Former President Ulysses S. Grant once said, “The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.” Does any of this sound casual to you? Yeah, me neither.
Again, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have people in your life who aren’t on deep levels. I’m just saying that you might want to consider putting them into another category than friend, because what friends do for people? There ain’t nothin’ even remotely casual about it, sis. Not even a lil’ bit.
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