Four Tips for Discovering the Joy of Alcohol-Free Vacations

Can you imagine dinner at a Tuscan vineyard without the promise of a Chianti? Contributor Helena Barkla did exactly that and lived to tell the tale. Originally published May 2023.

The May long weekend is the unofficial start of summer for much of North America so many of us are already in full summer-vacation planning mode. Whether its that long awaited jaunt to Europe, or just sprucing up the back deck for a staycation in the summer sun, the prospect of an alcohol-free holiday can be daunting. What’s dinner in Paris without red wine? A beachside vacation without a rum daiquiri? A dock or patio without a cold beer?

Since rethinking drinking, I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled as far as Australia and as close as the pub one town over, and I can assure you – it’s possible to have fun and not include alcohol! Here’s how:

Reframe relaxation

The idea of relaxing with a drink is a popular piece of conventional wisdom that quickly falls apart under scrutiny. Sure, alcohol will temporarily turn down our emotions (it is a depressant after all) and that includes stress. But the rebound effect is real, and the 20 minutes of relaxation is often followed by heightened anxiety (or the dreaded “hangxiety” – which it’s worth noting can appear for some people after a single drink).

Alcohol disrupts sleep – surely one of the most delicious promises of vacation is the luxury of extra sleep? – and tires us out so we’re often not relaxed when we return. Plus, have you ever lost your motivation after having an afternoon cocktail in the hot sun? Yeah, me too.

Decoupling the idea of relaxation from the idea of drinking is a powerful motivator to reclaim your downtime from this drug. And the added energy for a yoga class, a book, or an early morning walk on the beach more than make up for any relaxation lost by forgoing a glass.

A clear-headed morning walk in australia. Photo: J. Barkla

Don’t believe the alcohol hype

I’ve heard the idea that a vacation without booze sounds boring. To which I might reply, why would you pay to go on vacation somewhere so boring that you to ingest a stimulant to enjoy it?

This is another of those myths that we’ve collectively adopted as a society. A vacation is only as boring as you make it. First and foremost, hopping on a plane and exploring a new country is not boring! That’s a ludicrous suggestion.

For someone in their 20s, an exotic club or bar packed with beautiful people and high energy dance music sounds extremely fun - no need to dull the beat. Likewise, beautiful beaches are not boring nor is sitting on a dock by a lake with your best friends or family.

For someone at my stage in life, getting out into your garden or strolling out for an after-dinner ice cream in the summer twilight is just right.

Alcohol is taking credit for making these things fun and interesting, but frankly – it’s lying. Reconnect with things you actually enjoy doing, and you’re less likely to ‘need’ alcohol to make it fun.

I had the amazing opportunity a few years ago to visit a beautiful vineyard in Tuscany, complete with a multi-course meal with wine pairings. Because I’m not a red wine drinker and the paired wines were all red, I stuck with sparkling water (this was before I quit drinking entirely). I enjoyed a beautiful meal, fantastic company, and Italian music in an extraordinary setting. If I can have a great time sans wine at a wine tasting at a vineyard, I guarantee you can enjoy whatever you choose to do with your precious time off, too.

Find alternatives

Many destinations have a drink associated with them, and it can almost feel wrong not to imbibe. Wine in Paris. Chic cocktails in New York. A pint of stout in Ireland. Tequila in Mexico. You get the idea. But it’s a rare destination that is so one-note as not to offer plenty of other options to enjoy and connect with the local culture. Sure, France is associated with wine, but what about coffee, breads, cheese, or macarons? Dig a little deeper and you’ll find plenty to indulge in that doesn’t involve dulling your senses, intoxicating your brain, and inhibiting your memories.

And thankfully as the non-alcoholic drinks industry continues to boom, there are fantastic alcohol-free variations on traditional drinks to try too. Australia, for example, had more non-alcoholic wines available than I had time to try! And many vacations cocktails taste just as good either virgin or with a non-alcoholic spirit substitute.

What’s your real goal?

Even in my partying youth, I never set out on vacation with “get drunk” as a goal. It’s about having fun, blowing off steam, connecting with friends and family, and ultimately resting and recharging. All these things can be achieved effectively (I would argue, MORE effectively) without bring alcohol into the equation. Take some time to connect with yourself and figure out what you really need from your summer vacation and activities (or non-activities – did I mention I’m a napper?) that will support your goal.

No alcohol required.