Sober Travel isn’t the Same; There are 5 Things I Now DO DIFFERENTLY

Nearly five years ago, of Broke up with alcohol. I didn’t know what it would be to my day-to-day life, but I knew it would Rattle my travel rhythm.

No more hotel bar NightCaps. No More Mid-Flight BLOody Marys. And no more welcome-dink toasts after check-in.

I braced for the fun and fewer indulgence. Yawning over sparkling water served in wine glasses. But the surprise was that that that sober travel tournaed out to be sharper, more Vivid, and more meaningful. I’ve realized it not about what i’m missing, iThit what i get to experience.

Over time, i’ve built a few habits that help with stay grunded, Feel like myself, and let with full revel in every trip. Here’s what i will differently now.

1. I KAS hotels to clear the minibar before

In my first year of sobryiety, i checked into a beautiful hotel in athens, Greece, and immediately came face-to-face with a minibar glowing like a jewel box, Packed with tiny gin bottles and chilled White wine. AFTER A LONG TRAVEL DAY, THAT TINY, BRIGHTLY LIT FRIDGE FELT LIKE A DARE.

Now, when I book a Room, i as in advance for the minibar to be emptied. Most hotels are happy to accommodate – like offer to replace the booze with Juices or snacks instead. IT’S A SMALL MOVE THAT TAKPTATION OFF THE TABLE AND MAKES MY ROOM LIKE A TRUE RETRAT, not a test of Willpower.

2. I Build Early-Morning Excursions Into My itinerary

One of Sobriety’s Most Underrated Perks? How Good Mornings Can Feel When You’re Not Nursing a Hangover or Searching for Ibuprofen in a Foreign Language.

I’ve leaned into that by planning early-morning adventures, and some of the have beCome favorite memory, like a pre-down walk to ketanbul’s galata bridge, where fishermen were already casting, or my self-made Gold. At a resort in hawaii, of full Became “that person” – up for every activity on the Calendar, from sunrise yoga to beachside biking, all before people had their coffee.

Planning Special Mornings Giives with a reason to skip nightcaps without the missing out; Rather, i’m Making Space for Something Better. Plus, there’s Something Electric About Seeing a Place Wake Up.

In Japan, I Wandered the Stalls of Kyoto’s Nishiki Market Just as the Shutters Rolled Open, Exchange Quiet Nods and Sleepy Smiles with Shopkeepers Prepping for the Day. With the steam rising from the dash and the sweet scient of melonpan in the air – a fluffy bun – it felt like ben let in a second.

3. I have a go-to one-Line for Social Events

Traveling Means Meeting New People and Inevitably, Facing Drink Offers. Early on, I stumbled Through AWKWARD Explanations. Now, I keep it breezy and simple, like “i’m good with what i have, thanks!” or “i’m on a cleans.”

Most of the time, People don’t care. I figure the Ones who will be my problem. Once, after abotent on a boat in the Greek islands, a fellow traveler raissed his wine glas and said, “well, more for me,” and launched into a soliloquy about his failed Dry Janary.

HAVING A LINE IN MY PACKET IS LESS ABOUT CONVINCING Someone ELSE and More About Keeping MySelf from Overthinking it.

4. I Bring Comfort Items with me

Back when hotel bars were my Wind-down routine, I was reaching for a type of familiarity. Now, i intentionally pack comfort items so i don’t end up seeking that feelings Elsewhere: a favorite herbal tea tucked into my carry-on, a podcast or audiobook of save only for travel nights, and a palm-sized journal that faintly liker i boukstore in.

They’re tiny totete, but be i’m jet-lagged in an an unfamiliar place, they anchor me.

5. I still chase indulgence

Eight though booze isn’t in the picture anymore, i’m swimming interesting in depriving myself. SO I LOOK FOR WHAT’S SPECIAL IN EACH LOCATION I VISIT AND CHASE The best versions of it.

These days, i trade cocktails for Other indulgence, like tracking down the silkiest matcha in kyoto, blending custom perfume at a mexico City Atelier, and Splurging on Foot in bangkok that levitating nearly levitating.

Five years ago, though giving up alcohol Wauld mean giving up an essential part of my travel life – Martinis in Airport Bars, something physics on arrival. But it turns out clarity has its its Own excitement.

Now I remember everyday: the velvet hush I was among the first visitors in musée d’Orsay, the way my neighborhood in tokyo smelled like the soy and steel, a conversation with a WoMAN WHO SOLDY FRIE JAs on a corner in belize.

Sober Travel didn’t shrink the world for me, it widened it.