11 tips for alcohol-free travel

19.07.2024 - 13:47 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 19, 2024 • 7 min read

I joke to my therapist that cutting out alcohol improved my mental health more than five-plus years of seeing her – and actually saved me money, unlike our sessions. My breakup with booze started as an experiment. Just like stopping birth control pills made my emotions swing like a pendulum, I was curious how my body would react without this drug. Would I sleep better? (Yes.) Wake up refreshed, ready to tackle the day? (No, I still need to medicate myself with caffeine.)

However, I discovered my baseline levels of anxiety lessened and, as a result, I became a better version of myself. But I struggled to picture what sober travel could look like. I associated backpacking with rowdy bar crawls and swapping stories over beers in hostels, and romanticized pina coladas on the beach and Spanish tapas paired with wine.

It’s now been over two years since I ditched drinking, and going alcohol-free has given me a priceless gift as I see the world: the ability to stay in the wild, wonderful present. Here are some tips, based on my personal experiences, if you’re considering a cocktail-less vacay.

Whether you’re practicing sobriety for now or for forever, decide in advance if you want to drink or not on an upcoming trip. I’ve found it easier to make that commitment to myself before I’m on the ground and subject to peer pressure.

Your decision may raise a few eyebrows, because in many places – certainly where I live, New York City – socializing goes hand-in-hand with drinking. I’ve heard people insist they can’t have fun without alcohol, and I believed them for years until I tried something different. Isn’t travel about getting outside of our comfort zones, anyway?

My first vacation sans booze was a bachelorette party where I didn’t know anyone except the bride-to-be. I was only one month into my sober-curious journey, and our weekend trip to San Diego, California, opened my eyes to what could happen if I threw my assumptions out the window. I “should” drink on a bachelorette trip, right? So what happens if I don't? Turns out, I have way more fun without it.

You’re not in this alone, even if you’re traveling solo. Text the group chat, FaceTime a friend back home, whatever you’re comfortable with – just telling someone you trust about your sobriety goal(s) holds you accountable. Plus, it helps to have a support system cheering you on!

If you’re traveling with a group, especially folks you normally drink with, I recommend setting expectations and letting them know ahead of time you’re opting out. For that bachelorette, I gave the bride a heads-up beforehand. Remember: you’re telling, not asking – if someone doesn’t respect your choice, that says more about them than you.

Alcohol is a main character