Hi!! The world is slowly starting to open up and it probably won´t be long before we can travel again like we did pre-C19!! I am super excited and can not wait to hit the road again. But it might also be a bit scary to think about, especially if your next trip will be your first trip sober…
Sooo… Because I have done a few of them before, all while being the only non-drinker in the group, I thought it might be helpful to share a few travel tips with you for your (first) sober get-away…!
Here is my Top-5 of Sober Travel Tips:
1 – SO MUCH TIME
The first one is a big one and a positive thing: Get familiar with the idea that you’ll have spare time to actually do stuff. Since you will no longer be ‘just boozing around’ you will have a lot more time on your hands. That can be filled by doing all kinds of activities, like bringing a good book (or two) and just chill at the pool/on the beach/in your mountain cabin. And/or it could be more active things, like canoeing/city tours/diving/cycling etc, you get the gist.
It might be a good idea to book some stuff in advance too, although make sure not to overdo it. As one of the many perks of nót-drinking on a holiday is that you actually get to go home rested so you do not want to be running from A to B the whole trip without taking the time to chill.
* NOTE: Just be aware that you can feel a bit ‘lost’ and/or ‘bored’ in the beginning of the trip. This however will soon turn into feeling ‘free’, ‘relaxed’ and ‘f*cking amazing’ 😉
2 – STAY CONNECTED
The second of my sober travel tips is to make sure to stay connected. Connected to people/ a person that understand(s) and support(s) your sobriety. You might be on holiday wíth them, if so, great! But if you are not, I suggest that you check in daily with someone that gets you and/or is in the same situation as you. Just as a quick reality-check and to stay focused, even a short Whatsapp interaction will do the trick. It is all too easy to get swooped back into ´the old normal´ aka ´drinking cause that is what you do to have fun on holiday´, especially if everyone around you does exactly that.
3 – NON ALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVES
The third tip is, if it´s an option (easier on trips by car, harder if you´re taking an airplane), to consider bringing some nice non-alcoholic drinks. Only if they are not triggering to you, of course. Finding, bringing and drinking tasty alcohol-free alternatives can be super fun! Ever since I stopped drinking I’ve immersed myself in the world of ‘bubblypops’ (my made-up name for non-alcoholic drinks)!!
For tips for nice options click here for a list of more than 80 non-alcoholic spirits (like gin and rum) and here for my complete list of alcohol-free bubbles. I also have a page where I collect all my homemade non-alcoholic cocktails so if you want some ideas for special drinks, click here!
* TIP: What I always do as soon as I arrive at my destination –> replace all alcoholic drinks in the minibar with either delicious home-brought non-alcoholic alternatives or with some nice soft drinks that you for instance can buy at a shop near your hotel
4 – YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION(S)
The fourth sober travel tip is an important one: Be sure you’re holidaying with the right people! Most likely, unless you’re going on a specific Sober Trip (see my tip 5), you’ll be the only non-drinker in the group. At least, this is my experience. And this can be tough, especially in the beginning, when you aren´t feeling 100% confident in your sobriety (yet). I´d like to suggest that if you think you might not be able to stay true to yourself and your choice (of leading an alcohol-free life), then perhaps don´t go. Say no to that specific trip. There will be many more in the future and it´s not worth risking your hard-earned sobriety for. In my opinion, but it obvs depends on how precious being and staying sober is to you.
If you do feel strong in your sobriety though and you think you are totally ready, do it, go for it! In my experience, it is a lót easier to stick with your decision not to drink, if the people you’re with are either sober too OR at least are aware of and respect your situation. Make sure they know that you’re not drinking alcohol for whatever reason (the reason can be known or unknown to them, that’s entirely up to you). Because if they know, you will be less tempted to press that ‘f*ck it button’ while away! Which is a LOT easier to do when no one knows about your decision not to drink on the trip.
5 – SOBER HOLIDAYS
All-inclusive Holidays without paying for booze
Besides a ´normal´ holiday there are other options. More sober-based ones… I will start the last of my sober travel tips with all-inclusive holidays. In case you like this type of holiday but are feeling a bit insecure by being surround with unlimited booze and/or feel cheated because of the fact that you´re paying for alcoholic drinks but won´t be drinking any: Book a resort that offers alcoholic ánd non-alcoholic all-in packages! See for instance the Kudafushi Resort on the Maldives.
Non-alcoholic Hotels
Then there are hotels that don´t offer nor allow ANY alcohol on their premises! Specific ´non-alcoholic hotels´. For instance, there is the Angels Marmaris in Turkey, the Plumeria on the Maldives or the Pino Hotel in Sarajevo. All stunning looking hotels (or they appear to be online, I have never been… yet!) on gorgeous locations. By staying at a place like this, you make it a lot easier for yourself not to be tempted by drinking alcohol. Plus there is the fact that there will be a guaranteed array of great alcohol-free options!!
Sober Getaways
Then, last but def not least… Did you know that nowadays there are actual ´Sober Holidays´ being offered?! Alcohol-free trips organised specifically for us!! There are not a whole lot of options yét but since the demand is growing, I´m sure the offer will follow. And to let you in on a little secret… I’m working on some ideas to start a fun Sober Retreat here, in Marbella. Who would be up for a few days of sunshine, lounging around a pool with an alcohol-free cocktail bar, a cabinet full of quit lit (books about stopping with drinking alcohol) and like-minded sober chicas?! More info will follow shortly… 😉
So yeah, why not consider a holiday by yourself or with a sober friend that takes alcohol out of the equation!
* FUN FACT: Last year certain places started to ban unlimited alcohol on all-inclusive holidays (mainly on Mallorca and Ibiza). These new rules are part of a crackdown on health, safety and anti-social behaviour. It sure is going in the right direction peeps…
Well, that was it, my Top-5 Sober Travel Tips! I hope you enjoyed reading them and that they help a bit in getting ready for your next sober holiday adventure! Please let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions and/or comments or contact me directly here
x Izzy
