Scenic Cruises has partnered with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Gurpreet Kaur to identify the ultimate feel-good travel destinations for 2025.
As winter sets in, many experience a dip in mood, from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to reduced Vitamin D levels. With reports suggesting January 6th as the best day to book post-Christmas holidays, there’s no better time to plan an uplifting escape to help beat the January blues.
To help travellers discover the ultimate mood-boosting destinations, Scenic Cruises has unveiled a ranking of the top 10 places designed to increase joy, harnessing the “dopamine travel” trend. Leading the list is Split, Croatia, celebrated for its perfect blend of sunshine, walkability, and Mediterranean charm.
In partnership with Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, Scenic Cruises analysed five key factors shown to increase dopamine levels during travel, including hours of sunshine, air quality, green spaces, cuisine, and walkability.
Top 10 destinations for a dopamine boost
| Destination | Annual sunshine hours | Air quality PM2.5 (μg/m3) | Quality of green spaces (Out of 100) | Avg. restaurant Google rating (Out of 5) | Walkability score (Out of 100) | Overall score (Out of 100) |
| Split | 2,631 | 10 | 58 | 4.7 | 97 | 100 |
| Amsterdam | 1,662 | 13 | 84 | 4.6 | 85 | 98 |
| Tallinn | 1,923 | 5 | 77 | 4.6 | 78 | 97 |
| New Orleans | 2,649 | 8 | 78 | 4.5 | 65 | 96 |
| Lisbon | 2,806 | 12 | 68 | 4.6 | 64 | 95 |
| Cádiz | 3,024 | 18 | 56 | 4.5 | 95 | 94 |
| Malaga | 2,919 | 17 | 69 | 4.5 | 76 | 93 |
| Liverpool | 1,507 | 8 | 80 | 4.5 | 97 | 91 |
| Vancouver | 1,938 | 7 | 85 | 4.5 | 56 | 90 |
Dr. Gurpreet Kaur explains the significance of each dopamine-enhancing factor:
“Sunshine exposure boosts dopamine levels naturally, while quality cuisine offers essential nutrients and enjoyment. Walking reduces cortisol, helping to regulate dopamine, and clean air enhances brain function. Studies have also shown that green spaces encourage mindfulness, which helps to increase dopamine. Together, these elements create destinations that refresh and elevate mood.”
Split and Amsterdam top the list of feel-good escapes
Split ranks first with a perfect score, benefiting from 2,631 annual sunshine hours that boost mood and well-being. With an air quality score of 10 (PM2.5), the city offers a clean, relaxing environment. Its walkability score of 97 makes it ideal for exploring, while a 4.7-star restaurant rating highlights its vibrant food scene.
Amsterdam takes the second spot with a near-perfect dopamine score. The city benefits from 1,662 annual sunshine hours which might seem modest compared to Split but combined with its 84 out of 100 rating for green spaces and 85 for walkability, Amsterdam fosters a vibrant, yet relaxing environment for its visitors.
The experts at Scenic Cruises note:
“Our research into dopamine destinations shows how travel can truly uplift and energise us, not just through incredible sights but by immersing us in environments that are good for the soul. Whether it’s enjoying the sunshine in Lisbon, dining in Tallinn, or exploring the bustling streets of New Orleans, each of these destinations brings something special to the table, helping visitors find more joy in their travels.”
You can view the full study, featuring the top 20 destinations analysed, here: https://www.scenic.co.uk/blogs/dopamine-destinations
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