With the exciting government announcement last week that we could be to a higher level of pre-Covid normality by the end of June, (data permitting) are your thoughts turning to holidays? If so, then you are not alone. Before this awful pandemic started, me and my family loved going away a few times a year to different locations across the world. We are avid explorers and take every opportunity we can to make the most of new experiences. Whilst in the grips of addiction, my preferred holidays always centred around ensuring alcohol was easily accessible. I would drink all afternoon and evening, then spend the morning hungover – I believed this was the way holidays should be enjoyed. I unfortunately can’t remember a lot of things about some of our holiday destinations, chunks of memories lost to alcohol. However, I am looking forward to travelling in the future and being present and sober throughout the entire time!

If you are on your sober journey and you would love to plan a holiday, but you are nervous about ensuring your sobriety is protected, then I completely understand. If previously, going on holiday meant drinking as much booze as possible, then having a mindset shift away from this is a major life change. It isn’t something that comes naturally at first but this mind shift will eventually become a way of life, one that you will be proud of.

I want to put together in this blog some superb holiday destinations that support your sobriety. There are places in the world where alcohol is not at the core of the country unlike here in the UK. So, without further ado, here are some of my top rated sober holiday destinations that you should have a look at:

#1 Santorini

Top of my list is Santorini in Greece. This place is heaven on earth, with long golden sanded beaches, deep blue, clear seas and almost guaranteed great weather in the summer. If you are looking to get away from it all for your holiday, then I cannot recommend Santorini enough, a haven that isn’t all that far from home. A few hours on a plane and it will feel like you are a lifetime away. Although other places in Greece are known for being alcohol centric (Mykonos; for example), Santorini is place where alcohol is not the centre of attention for the locals and the tourist culture. Yes, alcohol of course can be found if you are looking for it, but it won’t be consistently shoved in your face making prohibition that little bit easier.

Words only say so much, you need to visit Santorini to understand how beautiful this part of the world is and there is a reason it is ones of the most sought-after wedding locations.

#2 Japan

Although a long way from the UK, Japan was on my to-do list for a number of years and I finally got to go a couple of years ago. It really is one of the most amazing places to visit with so much to take in. In ways it is as you would expect but on a bigger scale, you have to experience it to believe it. Bright lights EVERYWHERE, crowded places, so much to see, do and different foods to taste, your senses are overloaded! Whilst Japan is known for Sake (rice wine), it is not pushed onto visitors by restaurants. If you prefer to sit back and take in the sights with a nice Japanese tea, then you will fit right in.

If you have never visited Japan before, then I cannot recommend Tokyo enough for anyone looking for a sober holiday destination, it will take your breath away!

#3 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is known for its endless culture and exciting outdoor activities. As it is a predominantly Muslim and Buddhist area, sobriety is a normal way of life rather than being out of the ordinary. Sri Lanka is certainly a place you can enjoy without the pressure of alcohol being a focal point. Sri Lanka has something for all, whether you prefer to spend your down time on a secluded beach or climbing a sacred mountain to take in the amazing views. This is certainly a place to be added to your bucket list.

While in Sri Lanka ensure to add Sigiriya to your to-do list. This fortress is one of Sri Lanka’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and holds an utterly spiritual experience. Sited on top of a rock, Sigiriya has a rich history having been a Buddhist Monastery and even a royal palace.

#4 Los Angeles

When I recommend Los Angeles as a perfect sober holiday destination, people are often surprised. While many places in the USA are known for going over the top in many areas, food and alcohol included, Los Angeles is in a league of its own mainly due to the focus placed on health by the residents and tourists alike.

LA is well known for a vast array of healthy food on offer and fun activities including surfing in Malibu, spa days, volleyball on the Manhattan Beach Courts, cruising the Pacific Coast Highway and much more. Like most places, whilst alcohol is available, is it is certainly not a focal point when visiting LA, making it easier to enjoy your holiday whist moving forward with your sobriety journey.

#5 Peru

Peru is a unique destination as it is a place you are recommended not to drink due to altitude. It is known for its amazing sites such as Machu Picchu and the Nazca lines, visitors are often so busy and experiencing such long action-packed days that there is no time to even think about alcohol, just perfect! If you fancy a refreshing drink to relax after a busy day, Peru is known for its delicious non-alcoholic drinks including indigenous herbal teas.

As someone who chooses to live an alcohol-free lifestyle, the thought of planning a holiday can become overwhelming but it’s important to remember that all countries are different. Many countries have strict regulations on alcohol but are absolutely stunning holiday destinations. While you may have once planned your holidays around the number of bars and how cheap the local tipple is, now you have the opportunity to plan purely around the sights you will get to see and make memories that will last forever.