What is dopamine travel? These 10 destinations will boost your mood, study says.

Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY
·3-min read

Taking a much-needed vacation cannot only help us recharge and reset but also boost our dopamine levels.

Some destinations just have what it takes to make us feel happier from the moment we arrive, whether it's consistently sunny weather that surges our vitamin D levels or stunning beaches and green spaces that connect us with nature.

"Dopamine is a chemical messenger in the brain that allows cells to communicate with one another – like a text message," Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, a United Kingdom-based clinical psychologist, said in a statement to USA TODAY. "When the message is received in good time, can be read clearly, and is easy to decipher, it positively impacts parts of the brain, affecting our mood, motivation and pleasure. Balanced dopamine levels are essential for mental wellness, as they regulate our mood, motivation, and capacity for joy."

"This understanding of dopamine has inspired the trend of 'dopamine travel,' where people seek experiences that elevate excitement and joy," Kaur continued. "It’s driven by factors such as fun, spontaneity, sensory stimulation, connection and movement."

U.K.-based luxury cruise operator Scenic Cruises, in collaboration with Dr. Kaur, recently determined the top dopamine destinations based on five factors that help release the happy hormone: amount of sunshine, cuisine, walkability, air quality and green spaces.

"While vacations typically lift our spirits, our study reveals that certain destinations – like sunny Lisbon or dynamic Amsterdam – deliver an instant feel-good effect," said Emma Beardsall, brand and marketing manager at Scenic Cruises.

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Here are the top 10 destinations to increase your dopamine:

10. Oslo

Oslo has plenty of opportunities to immerse travelers in nature, including lakes, forests and beaches. When in the capital of Norway, travelers can explore the many museums, from the ski museum to the Viking Ship Museum.

9. Vancouver

Whether in the winter or summer, Vancouver is known for offering the perfect balance between an urban city with natural beauty. Travelers can go hiking, bird watching, skiing and whale watching, depending on the time of year.

8. Liverpool

This English maritime city is usually known as the Beatles' birthplace, but also offers a dopamine boost for travelers. It ranked as the most walkable city in the study.

7. Malaga

Set along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the Spanish port city of Malaga has some of the most sunshine a year, clocking in at 2,919 a year, according to Scenic Cruises. It's also home to 16 beautiful beaches to enjoy.

6. Cadiz Bay

Cadiz Bay is known to have sun-drenched beaches.
Cadiz Bay is known to have sun-drenched beaches.

Travelers can spike their happiness when visiting this ancient Spanish port city by enjoying the many parks, beaches and abundance of sunshine.

5. Lisbon

Yellow tram on a street with colorful houses and flowers on the balconies in Lisbon.
Yellow tram on a street with colorful houses and flowers on the balconies in Lisbon.

Blowing up in popularity among expats, the capital of Portugal is one of the sunniest in the rankings plus offers fresh seafood, museums and beautiful beaches.

4. New Orleans

As the only U.S. city to make the list, New Orleans offers streets filled with colorful historic architecture to wander and ample sunshine.

3. Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea with dark cloud background, the country’s cultural hub, cobblestoned Old Town.
Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea with dark cloud background, the country’s cultural hub, cobblestoned Old Town.

Set along a bay in the Gulf of Finland, Tallinn offers Old World charm with medieval architecture and an Old Town that's listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The capital of Estonia also has some of the cleanest air throughout Europe, according to Scenic Cruises.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam's famous canals are the perfect place to walk for hours.
Amsterdam's famous canals are the perfect place to walk for hours.

Amsterdam snagged second place for being a feel-good destination. While it's famous for its charming bike culture and canal waterways, the Dutch capital is also a notably walkable and green city with many parks.

1. Split, Croatia

A beach along the Adriatic Sea near Split, Croatia
A beach along the Adriatic Sea near Split, Croatia

Situated along the Adriatic Sea, Split scored the title as the most dopamine-inducing destination. This sun-drenched city has over 2,631 daylight hours a year plus a high air quality. Travelers can go hiking, swimming and biking in the sprawling Forest Park Marjan or meander the many paths throughout the coastal city.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 10 destinations to make you feel happier, according to a psychologist

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