A sober traveler has an adventure on a canoe.

Travel Excursions for Sober Lifestyles

By

Sober Recovery Expert Author

A sober traveler has an adventure on a canoe.

Resorts, cruises, and other tourist destinations inundate us with commercials of romantic vacations. The typical advertisement shows a couple walking on the beach or seated at a sweetheart table, sipping the very thing you're trying to avoid.

Most vacation packages nowadays include alcohol. While this may be a perk for someone who has never been addicted, it serves as a frustrating inconvenience for those of us who don't want to face the temptation, smells, sights, or sounds of what we've left behind. Nor do we want to pay a higher price for packages that include drinks we won’t be drinking.

For someone who is committed to sober living and wants to avoid the temptation of drugs and alcohol, this is how to pursue good, clean travel adventures.

So what's a sober traveler to do?

Actually, the answer is a lot more simple than you may think. Sober traveling is a new trend that is taking global travel agencies by storm. There are actual sober-travel organizations that arrange your flights, tours, and trip dates around sober-friendly destinations. That includes day and night excursions, restaurants, and more.

Benefits of Sober Travel Organizations

While the ability to take a vacation without jeopardizing your recovery is the main reason to check out sober travel organizations, it’s not the only one. Another incredible benefit of these organizations is that you connect with sober friends around the globe.

Meeting with others from different walks of life is always a great way to learn more about the world and yourself. There is another depth to the relationships you form when you’re making friends that also follow a sober lifestyle. No matter where you come from or where you’re going, you share a common journey.

Things to Keep in Mind

To take advantage of everything a sober travel agency has to offer, one must understand exactly what you can expect from them. From the initial point of contact, to the last day of the trip, learn the organization’s processes to find the best fit for your expectations of an ideal vacation.

Ask questions that will give you a better understanding of the culture of the company, such as:

  • Will we be able to sight-see independently?
  • Will we have designated free time during the trip?
  • Are we expected to be present at every scheduled activity on the trip?

If you want a more relaxed vacation, make sure you have free time and can opt out of certain adventures. Knowing these types of things up front can help understand and plan for the type of vacation you'll experience.

Tips When Flying Sober and Solo

When planning a trip--especially when planning to travel alone--always find out what safety measures travelling organizations have in place in case of an emergency. For instance, find out arrangements for hospitals and evacuation processes. Have an emergency contact. And if you're new to sober living, have an accountability partner or sponsor to call, if you're feeling tempted or anxious about something on the trip.

Maintaining your adventurous spirit throughout recovery will give you a new lease on life, and travel is a great way to reinvigorate senses you may have never known existed. If a sober travel organization is something that appeals to you, here are some resources to get started:

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