Feel-Good February: Travel-Inspired Ways to Find Joy Anywhere

February is the calm after the New Year, with moments of pause, planning, and presence. Whether you’re basking in the South African summer or dreaming of distant horizons, travel is a mindset.

Simple rituals and experiences that shift your perspective; these are the ways travel continues to feel good, wherever you are in the world.

Travel Moments Big and Small

The true essence of a meaningful getaway, one that makes you feel something, lies in the sensory details we overlook daily. So lean into the restorative power of being exactly where you are. Imagine waking without an alarm and letting the day unfold naturally, perhaps watching a sunrise, feeling the curiosity of being in a neighbourhood you’ve never explored, and romanticising the unknowns. It’s about the joy of drinking coffee outside, walking instead of driving, and eating slowly enough to really taste the local flavours.

To find presence this month, try:

• Choosing a seat by the window to watch the world shift.
• Walking barefoot on warm stone, grass, or sand.
• Listening to the music of unfamiliar languages around you.
• Sleeping with the balcony door open to catch the night air.
• Unpacking slowly to turn a room into a sanctuary.
• Discovering a new street or trail without a map or agenda.
• Returning to a place you already love just to see it in a new light.

Spending time in nature without the need to document it.

The Joy of Intentional Planning

There is a documented psychological boost that comes from the act of looking forward. In 2026, we are seeing a shift toward slow planning, where the journey is the destination, more than the number of passport stamps you can collect.

• Pin a dream destination onto your digital map.
• Create a travel list for the years ahead.
• Plan one meaningful trip that leaves space to breathe.
• Choose fewer destinations but stay longer in each.
• Revel in the idea of luxury being a quiet experience.

Destinations That Shift Your Perspective

When a destination aligns with your mood, you experience true joy. Think of sun and snorkelling days at Chuini Zanzibar Beach Resort, where the only clock you’re on is the day’s tides.  Savour those breath-holding safari moments that happen in the quiet lulls between sightings at Motswari Private Game Reserve.

In the city, that indescribable pleasure is a stay where the best galleries and coffee shops are a kick and putt away from the Rockefeller Hotel and Future Found Sanctuary’s crisp mountain air literally changes how you breathe. If being in the heart of the harbour's history feels like a core memory waiting to happen, the Victoria & Alfred Hotel is your front-row seat to the city's maritime charm.

These are some of the places where you can spend an entire afternoon with nowhere to be, and come  home changed in small, permanent ways. Book your stay with Newmark Hotels & Reserves, and return with a fresh perspective and a happy soul.

Q: How does planning a trip improve mental well-being?

A: Anticipation is a powerful mood booster, and just the same, planning a future trip releases dopamine and provides a sense of excitement and focus.

Q: What is slow travel and why is it popular in 2026?

A: Slow travel focuses on connecting with local culture at a relaxed pace, prioritising meaningful experiences over ticking off multiple tourist sites.

Q: How do I practice slow travel if I only have a few days?

A: Instead of rushing between different destinations, choose one base and explore the neighbourhood on foot without a rigid agenda.