“Our guests have welcomed the arrival of a more inclusive drinks offering and we have received great feedback,” the food and beverage team say. Cutting out booze can be even more difficult around the holidays, with office parties, family gatherings and social outings in full swing, but there are ways to be more mindful when it comes to drinking. Here are some practical tips to enhance the experience of celebrating without substances.
Attend Community Events
The city offers midnight museum openings, https://optimisticengineering.com/what-causes-sneezing-fits-when-drinking-alcohol-2/ open-air cinema events, and vibrant food markets that operate late into the evening. Morning walking tours have become my favourite replacement for evening pub crawls. Many European cities offer speciality tours focused on architecture, street art, or local cuisine. Europe’s drinking culture can feel overwhelming, but I’ve discovered a wealth of alternatives that have made my travels more meaningful. Many cities offer community-led walking tours where locals share authentic stories about their neighbourhoods. In Lisbon, I explored hidden alleyways with a resident who pointed out street art and tucked-away cafés I would have otherwise missed.
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When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. After you have given up alcohol you are so much more present, in the moment and aware of what is going on around you it is difficult not to have a fantastic time. I keep a journal where I record how much better I feel physically—waking refreshed to enjoy early morning exploration is genuinely priceless. I’ve saved photos of spectacular sunrises I’d have missed with a hangover. “I’m driving tomorrow” or “I’m training for a marathon” work brilliantly as conversation-enders without requiring lengthy explanations.
Community-Driven Tourism
I’ve found connecting with sober festival groups on social media beforehand makes the experience more supportive and fun. In Amsterdam, I spent delightful afternoons at Foodhallen, where various vendors offer creative non-alcoholic options alongside their culinary specialities. I’ve attended events in Valencia where locals and travellers gather to practice languages over mocktails.
Eating Disorder Recovery Retreats
The city’s parks host yoga sessions and meditation groups, creating community spaces free from alcohol focus. Albert Cuyp Market became my go-to for fresh stroopwafels and juices—simple pleasures that enhanced my sober travel experience. Rather than arranging group sober cruises, they are more aimed at providing tailored itineraries to guests who want to enjoy travel without the alcohol, including cruise holidays. Let your loved ones know about your commitment to sobriety during the holidays.
Invite friends and family to a potluck where everyone brings their favorite dish. Consider creating a non-alcoholic drink station with mocktails, cider, or hot cocoa. One of my favourite things to do when holidaying in a destination, sober holidays is to read books that are set there. This might sound odd but it’s a really lovely way to get a feel for where you are whilst relaxing. Berlin impressed me with its alternative scene that goes beyond clubbing.
The area also has a growing wellness scene, including glamping sites, forest bathing experiences, and sober retreats. It’s a great destination for a digital detox, too, as much of the national park has limited signal, a welcome excuse to truly switch off. I often joined Halfway house local sober groups and attended social events designed for like-minded individuals. These gatherings turned into a safe space where I could connect without the pressure of drinking. The staff were welcoming and accommodating, ensuring that all guests felt comfortable and supported during their stay.
- Step by Step encourages this interaction, fostering a sense of community.
- If you read Angels And Demons before or when you travel to Rome—you can visit the places in the book in real life, which make them all the more exciting.
- I’ve discovered many welcoming venues where non-alcoholic options aren’t an afterthought but a celebrated part of the menu.
- I won’t lie, there are bars everywhere on a cruise ship, and there are often special offers on cocktails of the day posted on your daily updates.
- The goal is to “reduce the amount of alcohol consumed but still continue to socialize in the same way,” Amy Stephens, a sports dietitian for NYU Athletics, told the New York Post.
The Role of Community in Sober Holidays
Reach out to your support network, including sponsors, support group members, or a therapist. How to stay sober during the holidays is something that preoccupies many people with addictions, especially those in the early stages of recovery. The holiday season is synonymous with celebration, from Thanksgiving and Christmas through to New Year’s Eve.
But for those committed to seeking balance, read on for “sober-ish” strategies from “zebra striping” and “damp drinking” to strategic pacing hacks. New Sober TraditionsBenefitsGratitude PracticesFosters mindfulness and appreciation.Homemade GiftsEncourages creativity and personal connection.VolunteeringStrengthens community ties and promotes well-being. You need to feel that you ‘don’t want’ a drink, not that you ‘can’t have’ one, with this approach it is so much easier. Rome delighted me with evening passeggiatas (strolls), where locals dress up and socialise in piazzas and along historic streets. The ritual focuses on seeing and being seen rather than drinking. Spending evenings soaking in historic spas like Széchenyi provided relaxation and social opportunities without a drop of alcohol.
