Winter is coming.
With the darkest day of the year — Dec. 21 — just around the corner, right about now you might be dreaming of swapping seasonal blahs for Caribbean blue.
But while fun in the sun can be a welcome interruption during the colder months, there’s an art to the mood-boosting getaway — beyond merely jetting off to the tropics for a dose of Vitamin D that doesn’t come in capsule form, a behavioral expert suggests.
11 Dopamine travel shifts the focus from simply unwinding or having fun to seeking out destinations that maximize joy and happiness. ReeseArcurs/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
Rather than simply looking for somewhere warm to unwind, seek out destinations that maximize joy and happiness, said clinical psychologist Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, who partnered with Scenic Cruises to find spots that not only offer sunny scenery but also spark a surge of positive energy.
Using a variety of metrics that might not immediately appear to be interrelated, Kaur and researchers came up with a list of travel spots that could stimulate dopamine, commonly known as the “feel-good hormone,” to boost travelers’ overall moods as the annual dark times set in.
Days of sun per year, food, walkability, air quality and an abundance of lush green spaces were all taken into consideration.
“Sunshine exposure naturally boosts dopamine levels, while quality cuisine offers essential nutrients and enjoyment. Walking reduces cortisol, helping to regulate dopamine, and clean air enhances brain function,” Dr. Kaur explained to The Express.
“Studies have also shown that green spaces encourage mindfulness, which helps to increase dopamine.”
“Together, these elements create destinations that refresh and elevate mood.”
In ascending order, here are the pros’ ten picks.
10. Oslo, Norway
11 Oslo is famous for its modern design and architecture, well-blended with abundant open space and water. william87 – stock.adobe.com
Annual sunshine hours – 1,668
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 9
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 86
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 68
Overall score (Out of 100) – 79
9. Vancouver, British Columbia
11 The capital of Canadian West Coast culture is known for one of the most breathtaking natural settings of any city in the world — beautiful in any season. Fellipe – stock.adobe.com
Annual sunshine hours – 1,938
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 7
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 85
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 56
Overall score (Out of 100) – 90
8. Liverpool, England
11 Relatively rainy Liverpool ranks thanks to an abundance of good restaurants, art galleries, national museums, listed buildings, parks and open spaces. It’s also well-known for producing the Beatles. coward_lion – stock.adobe.com
Annual sunshine hours – 1,507
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 8
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 80
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 56
Overall score (Out of 100) – 90
7. Malaga, Spain
11 The Spanish port city of Malaga sits on the Mediterranean Sea, boasting beautiful beaches, ocean views and sunny winter weather. mrks_v – stock.adobe.com
Annual sunshine hours – 2,919
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 17
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 69
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 76
Overall score (Out of 100) – 93
6. Cadiz, Spain
11 Sunny, coastal Cádiz is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe — with an atmospheric old town surrounded on all sides by water that stays lively all winter long. Lia Aramburu – stock.adobe.com
Annual sunshine hours – 3,024
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 18
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 56
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 95
Overall score (Out of 100) – 94
11 Lisbon is one of Europe’s trendiest cities for a reason — and often draws comparisons to San Francisco for its colorful architecture and dramatic topography. Shevdinov – stock.adobe.com
5. Lisbon
Annual sunshine hours – 2,806
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 12
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 68
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.6
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 64
Overall score (Out of 100) – 95
11 New Orleans is world-renowned for its distinctive Creole culture and French influence. Fine food and sunny winter days make it an excellent cold weather destination. Calee Allen – stock.adobe.com
4. New Orleans
Annual sunshine hours – 2,649
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 8
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 78
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.5
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 65
Overall score (Out of 100) – 96
11 The Estonian capital of Tallinn Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arcady – stock.adobe.com
3. Tallinn
Annual sunshine hours – 1,923
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 5
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 77
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.6
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 78
Overall score (Out of 100) – 97
11 Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facade. dennisvdwater – stock.adobe.com
2. Amsterdam
Annual sunshine hours – 1,662
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 13
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 84
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.6
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 85
Overall score (Out of 100) – 98
11 Located on the Adriatic Sea, Split is Croatia’s second-largest city, and has become a popular coastal destination for Europeans. nikkusha – stock.adobe.com
1. Split
Annual sunshine hours – 2,631
Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) – 10
Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) – 58
Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) – 4.7
Walkability score (Out of 100) – 97
Overall score (Out of 100) – 100
Top 10 ‘dopamine travel’ destinations to boost your mood
