The Luxury Travel Bible - Chinese New Year

LUXURY TRAVEL: Where your Chinese zodiac sign will take you

ONE OF MY most memorable Chinese New Years was spent on Hong Kong's harbour sharing a private junk with friends. The firework display was pretty impressive, after all, the Chinese did invent them. Almost as impressive were the neon decorations on the surrounding skyscrapers. Curling dragons, kaleidoscopes of changing colours and elaborate good-luck patterns which lit up the multi-storey buildings.

This year the Chinese New Year starts on February 5th 2019 and will be the Year of the Pig. Anyone born in the Year of the Pig is realist, energetic and enthusiastic. They like to enjoy themselves, so we suspect they will be visiting a beautiful luxury destination (or two) this year .

But what about the rest of us? Where does your Chinese zodiac sign suggest you go in the luxury travel year ahead? Legend has it that all the animals in creation were summoned by Buddha one New Year's Day. Only 12 animals turned up, and to each Buddha gave a year which would bear its name. This is the kind of luxury traveller each animal is.

DOG: honest, loyal, optimistic, happy

Birth Years for the Dog Zodiac Sign: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Ideal destination: A beach destination would suit this sunny character. Try Cyprus, Greece, The Maldives, California or Mauritius.

Dragon: charismatic, colourful , brave, dislike routine, like attention.

Birth years for the dragon zodiac sign: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Ideal destination: A luxury adventure such as climbing a Volcano, going on a off-road adventure or a safari in Africa. Dragons might also like to travel in style across Australia on the Indian Pacific train or follow in the footsteps of the rich and famous.

Snake: high principles, sophisticated and charming, thirsty for knowledge

Birth Years for the Snake Zodiac Sign: 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

Ideal destination: A grand cultural tour of Europe. Perhaps around Florence, beautiful Scotland, or discover some of Prague's best kept secrets.

Horse: confident, proud, witty, outgoing, attractive to the opposite sex

Birth Years for the Horse Zodiac Sign: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Ideal destination: Somewhere suitably showy such as St Trop ez, Monaco, Las Vegas or one of these Instagram-able locations - and of course Horses always look super stylish!

Sheep: sensitive, creative, thoughtful, cultured. Can be eccentric.

Birth Years for the Sheep Zodiac Sign: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Ideal destination: A sheep might enjoy designer hotels with serious style or perhaps a hotel with quirky robots at your service. Get creative and discover your inner country music star in Nashville.

Monkey: confident, popular, imaginative, free spirit

Birth Years for the Monkey Zodiac Sign: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Ideal destination: A free-spirited sweep down a snow clad mountain would be a good choice. Stay at an Alpine Spa Hotel, Ski in France in Courchevel or Val Thorens. Monkeys will want to be confident when skiing so should always make sure they have the best equipment.

Rooster: Brave, enthusiastic, intelligent, hardworking, demand the best

Birth Years for the Rooster Zodiac Sign: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Ideal destination: Five star hotels go down well especially in London or Paris. Try the Paris Ritz or the Hotel Plaza Athenee, London's The Savoy or The Ritz. Roosters always demand five-star service.

Pig: Kind and thoughtful, down to earth, friendly.

Birth years for the pig zodiac sign: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

Ideal destination: Somewhere where they can get close to nature, perhaps an African Nature reserve, a retreat (and spa) in Australia , exploring the beautiful Emerald Isle, or the Glaciers of New Zealand. Pigs will love to watch The Great Migration.

Rabbit: very sensitive. Principled, honourable, kind.

Birth years for the rabbit zodiac sign: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Ideal destination: Find your own sense of 'self' in Cambodia , Indonesia or Japan.

Rat: charming, determined and ambitious, intelligent, goal oriented.

Birth Years for the rat zodiac sign: 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

Ideal destination: New York here we come. Stay at The Knickerbocker or The Moxy Times Square , and be sure to be seen at one of NYC's hottest bars

Ox: calm, patient, reliable and loyal. Often have a small but solid circle of friends.

Birth years for the ox zodiac sign: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

Ideal destination: Bali or a private villa anywhere as long as it is with just a few close friends

Tiger: warm and loving. Passionate about life, impetuous.

Birth years for the tiger zodiac sign: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

Ideal destination: Somewhere with a passionate Latino vibe. Havana Cuba is a perfect city. For adventure try Chile, Guatemala or Mexico

Anne Paris, Updated 04/2/19