Lifting a glass of local wine or spirits can be a trip highlight. But not for everyone.
The theme of this month’s newsletter is how to celebrate the food and fun in a destination without making it all about the booze. Plus a few news updates and more free travel stuff.
Celebrating Dry January
The growing popularity of “Dry January” indicates that I’m not the only one rethinking my drink. The official campaign, encouraging participants to give up alcohol for the entire month, started in the UK about ten years ago. The Today show reported on a study that claimed about one-third of US adults (35%) participated in 2022.
For some, it’s a reset after the social pressure to drink over the holidays. Others are still recovering from increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic-related lockdowns. Surveys have shown that just a month of sobriety can lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality and contribute to a general sense of well-being. Many participants end up reducing their alcohol consumption permanently after Dry January is over.
Alcohol Alternatives
In preparation for a dry month, I started researching the “mock-tail” alternatives for what’s in my glass. All of a sudden my social media feeds filled up ads for different choices. I tried a few, although I found most of them a bit too sugary for my taste. Drinks spiked with cannabis? That seems like cheating.
A sparkling glass of mineral water or club soda with a squeeze of lime is always a winner with me. And yes, I’ll admit to an obsession with pretty glassware, no matter what’s in the glass. This post about Rogaška Crystal is one of my all-time most popular travel stories!
More and more venues have alcohol-free options on the menu. A creative mixologist can dream up combinations that are more flavorful than regular cocktails. My non-drinking husband generally orders Diet Coke and likes the attention he gets for being the sober, designated driver.
Travel Fun for Everyone
Dry January has also motivated me to take an inventory of the “featured images” on my blog. Fortunately, the only ones featuring a wine glass were actually about wine-tasting. Going forward, I’ll be mindful that random celebrations of alcohol in other locations can exclude valued members of the travel community from the experience.
This doesn’t mean I’m going to stop writing about wine-tasting; just that it’s only one of many options for a memorable trip. There are plenty of alcohol-free ways to enjoy local food, history and culture. Just like there are plenty of ways to enjoy a restaurant if you’re a vegetarian like me and don’t eat meat. I can still tell you where to find the best Kranjska klobasa sausage, in the opinion of my meat-loving friends.
Visiting Wine Regions Responsibly
Goriška Brda is the wine region of Slovenia that is often compared to Tuscany. I visited with a group of friends who were studying to be certified as sommeliers. One takeaway from this dream trip was how little the experts actually drink when wine-tasting. There’s lots of sniffing and swishing the wine around the glass. They don’t want to dull their senses of sight, smell and taste by overindulging.
I like talking to the winemakers about the terrain and the climate. Like any farmers, they have a deep connection to the land. But wine producers also engage in an act of faith: putting a bunch of fruit juice in a vat and then waiting years to find out if it will be vintage or vinegar. They have a fascinating perspective on all of the local artisan foods which you can enjoy with — or without — alcohol.
Trip Planning Priorities
But let’s face it. There are some trips that famously include iconic beverages.
When I wrote this post about planning a trip to Dublin, I shared tips for visiting the Guinness Storehouse and two whiskey distilleries in one day! But I also wrote about museums, historic churches, natural landmarks and lots of other things in Ireland that don’t involve booze at all.
Somehow, I assumed that readers would just pick and choose the activities that sounded great to them. For example, you could visit the Star Wars filming location of Skellig Michael but skip the village pub where Luke Skywalker — actor Mark Hamill — poured proper pints for the rest of the movie crew. An artisan chocolate experience is just a wee bit down the road. Take your pick!
Every Picture Tells a Story
That rather naive attitude doesn’t take into account that many travelers have a different relationship with alcohol. I was shocked when a friend confessed that she couldn’t click on some of my travel posts because I am often hoisting a glass of wine or a cocktail.
As long as I am sharing a festive glass of something with friends in a beautiful place, it really doesn’t matter to me if it’s sparkling wine or sparkling water. But it’s not possible for everyone to just flip a switch and opt for the sober alternative. For some, sobriety comes only after a lifelong struggle.
One Day at a Time
Only one week into Dry January, I’m already feeling the pressure to just give up. Some well-meaning people ask, “Why would you do that?” Or they say, “Oh, come on, just one little drink won’t hurt.”
All of a sudden, I’m aware of how many TV shows and movies have people toting a wine glass or hitting the bar in every scene. Respect for my sober friends who have managed to resist the popular culture of drinking, one day at a time, for years.
And I’ve already experienced some of the benefits. In the first week, I’ve dropped four pounds and seen my resting heart rate fall to a healthier level. I’ll let you know in the next newsletter how it worked out. In the meantime, let me know in the comments if you’re going dry in January. I could use some company! If you’re a sober traveler, feel free to pass along some advice and encouragement.
Newsletter Update: Reservations Required
It always makes my day when someone tells me that the blog helped them plan a better trip. My friend Tim, who’s been a fan since my TV days, spent a memorable break in Amsterdam by following the tips to purchase museum passes in advance. Be like Tim and read the post Three Great Days in Amsterdam.
In The News: Croatia Joins the EuroZone and Schengen Area
Your trip to Central Eastern Europe just got easier because, as of January 1, Croatia joined both the Euro Zone and the Schengen area. Here’s the story from Travel and Leisure.
What does this mean to you? Most likely, no more long waits in line to cross the Croatian border checkpoints from neighboring Schengen countries.
And no need to change money if you’re coming from another country that uses euros. As for those old Croatian kunas from your previous trip? Banknotes will be exchanged indefinitely, but coins will only be exchanged for the next three years.
Pro tip: I’ve used my United Explorer card all over Europe, just like I’d use a credit card in the USA. Here’s a referral link if you’d like to check it out.
And more cool FREE travel stuff…
Some of the United States’ most popular national parks are FREE on certain days of the year: Get the list on the National Park Service website. This only applies to the entrance fee: you still have to pay for any activities you choose to do inside the park. And many national parks are free to visit all year round.
See you next month for more travel stories and secrets.
I really liked your newsletter. Thanks for thinking of us non-drinkers. It’s much appreciated!! Happy New Year!