Where You Should Travel Next

according to your Human Design Environment

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Where You Should Travel Next according to your Human Design Environment

A HEALTHY DOSE OF ESCAPISM

a travel column for The Retreat by Alyssa Donato

Traveling is not just about the places you visit; it’s about how those environments resonate deep within your unique designed energetic being. If you’ve been feeling stumped or questioning where to go next, try using your ideal environment to plan your next trip. Our human design environment is a place where our energy can be optimized and meet the least resistance in the 3D world. It’s a landscape that our energy can sink into to find synchronicities, magic, and a wellspring of personal alignment based on your design.

Each individual operates within an optimal environment, if you are curious about what your environment is you can always visit www.humandesignblueprint.com to discover yours. Though these environments are symbolic and not literal, let’s escape and find new spaces of alignment for you across the world.

Your environment is anywhere you put your physical body. Inside our ideal environments our aura is most protected, which also means we are less susceptible to outside conditioning. Imagine this as your protective bubble as you explore different travel destinations and intersect with the outside world. There are six environment types, each with two variations.

Each of the environment types:

• Caves

• Markets

• Kitchens

• Mountains

• Valleys

• Shores

The first three (caves, markets, and kitchens) are all considered hardscapes, while (mountains, valleys, and shores) are landscapes.

Now let’s explore where to journey based on your unique design.

Caves

A quiet, safe, and private environment, providing a sense of security, ideal for a space to retreat away from the world. Security is the priority with this dwelling space.

Ideal Travel Experience: Secluded hideaways, private villas, or quiet retreats in nature.

Suggested Spots for Caves:

Taos, NM: Explore the Taos Pueblo it features ancient adobe structures that resemble cave-like dwellings.

Smoky Mountains, TN: Cozy, isolated cabins nestled deep in the forest to retreat away to.

Cueva del Lobo, Spain: Charming cave accommodations in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park in Spain.

Naracoorte Caves, Australia: A UNESCO World Heritage site known for rich fossil history and diverse cave formations.

Markets

A dynamic, busy environment where there’s an exchange of ideas, goods, and energy. Somewhere that you can go with desire, and be selective. Variety is the priority with this dwelling.

Ideal Travel Experience: Vibrant cities, bustling streets, open-air markets, and hangout spaces.

Suggested Spots for Markets:

Marrakech, Morocco: Explore the famous souks and Medina. Souk El Attarine specializes in spices, perfumes, and traditional Moroccan oils. It's a sensory delight!

New Orleans, LA: French Quarter, farmers markets, and vibrant streets. Explore Magazine Street which is filled with curated markets, thrift shops, and small businesses.

Paris, France: Explore the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, one of the world’s largest flea markets, this Parisian gem is perfect for markets environments.

Istanbul, Turkey: One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with over 4,000 shops at the Grand Bazaar.

Kitchens

A space where you can connect to the people around you. A dwelling where people are creating, building, and bringing creative energy to form. Inside kitchens environment the priority is nourishment.

Ideal Travel Experience: Places of creation, open air kitchens, art museums, and melting pots of cultures and ideas.

Suggested Spots for Kitchens:

Tuscany, Italy: Join a cooking class or a food tour that includes visits to local markets, traditional kitchens, and hands-on cooking experiences. Learn to make pasta and have an under the tuscan sun moment.

Provence, France: Focus on farm-to-table dining, where seasonal menus highlight the region’s fresh produce. Dine among the lavender fields in one of France’s most picturesque spaces.

José Ignacio, Uruguay: Experience rustic charm, and a very vibrant culinary scene. Once a sleepy fishing village, it has transformed into a culinary hub featuring local fare from the land and waters.

Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen is known as one of the most innovative food cities in the world, due to its New Nordic Cuisine Movement. Explore the birthplace of one of the most renowned restaurants in the world, Noma.

Mountains

A high vantage point where one can observe the world from a distance. It's key to take time for yourself to integrate life’s experiences to alchemize them into wisdom. Inside this dwelling perspective is your top priority.

Ideal Travel Experience: Mountain getaways or places with elevated views away from the world.

Suggested Spots for Mountains:

Nagarkot, Nepal: Just outside of Kathmandu, Nagarkot is a peaceful mountain retreat that offers stunning views of the Himalayas.

Zermatt, Switzerland: Explore the Swiss Alps and breathtaking mountain scenery in a car-free destination.

Chamonix, France: Located at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, Chamonix is a paradise for high-altitude travelers and mountain environments.

Jackson Hole, WY: Located near Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole offers stunning mountain views, a true gem in the US.

Valleys

Low-lying areas with a focus on community and interaction with others. For Valley’s environment, connection is your top priority.

Ideal Travel Experience: Fertile regions, small towns, and areas with a strong local community.

Suggested Spots for Valleys:

Tuscany, Italy: Rolling hills, vineyards, and a beautiful community of cheesemongers, shepherds, and wine makers.

Hudson Valley, NY: Quaint river town just an hour and a half outside of New York City, nature preserves, and lots of local artisans.

Yosemite, CA: This iconic valley is the heart of Yosemite. With the Merced River flowing through it and surrounded by towering granite cliffs, it's a perfect space for people who need to feel the flow of life between these natural boundaries.

Shores

Places where water and land meet, providing a sense of balance. For this dwelling transition is your top priority. You have a hard time choosing which direction to swim in so you like being able to walk the fine line between extremes.

Ideal Travel Experience: Coastal cities, islands, or any destination near water, somewhere that is between two distinct landscapes, a dynamic balance between land and water.

Suggested Spots for Shores:

Tofino British Columbia: A raw and rugged dramatic coastline, and lush temperate rainforest, Tofino balances the elements of water and earth perfectly.

Deer Isle, ME: Enjoy the rocky coastline, old harbors, and numerous inlets. This location has plenty more to explore along the Atlantic.

Sea Ranch, CA: Where lush meadows meet the Pacific Ocean, a must stay is the Sea Ranch Lodge.

Milos, Greece: Where rocks and water merge. These crystal waters are a shores environment dream come true.

In the quest for personal alignment and energetic resonance, understanding your unique Human Design environment can transform your travel experiences. Each environment serves as a sacred space that invites you to connect with the essence of who you are, allowing you to journey inward as you explore the outer world. As you plan your next getaway, let your ideal environment guide you to new places where you can discover not just new dwellings, but deeper connections within yourself and your energetic signatures of place.

Alyssa Donato is an astrogeographer, writer, and guide who blends astrology with the art of travel. Capricorn sun, Virgo rising, and Aquarius moon, Alyssa explores how celestial energies shape our experiences of the world. As the travel columnist for The Retreat, Alyssa offers a cosmic lens on destinations, revealing the astrological magic that can be discovered through the practice of place. Follow her on Instagram @alyssa.donato

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