Recovering, Exploring, and Living Fully Without Alcohol

Travel does not have to disappear when you get sober. Teresa Bergen shows how alcohol-free travel can become bigger, freer, and far more rewarding than the old "vacation = drinking" script.If you are in recovery, sober-curious, or simply tired of every trip revolving around wine tastings, hotel bars, and social pressure, this conversation gives you a practical new way to think about getting away. Teresa has spent 15 years as a travel writer and turned that experience into *Sober Travel Handbook*, a guide for exploring the world without alcohol getting in the way.You’ll discover how to reimagine vacations around nature, wellness, museums, movement, and experiences that actually feel good the next morning. Teresa breaks down how to prepare for your first alcohol-free trip, build a support system before you leave, and handle cravings when you are far from home. She also shares simple, polished ways to decline a drink from friends, family, or even a boss without turning the moment into a confrontation.We also get into the emotional side of sobriety on the road - why travel can trigger old habits, why some people feel pressure to drink in professional or social settings, and how to protect your recovery without shrinking your life. Teresa is open about getting sober at 20, building a full adult life in her fifties, and discovering that sobriety can unlock interests, confidence, and connection you may have forgotten were possible.This is an episode about more than staying alcohol-free on vacation. It is about freedom, self-respect, and creating a life that gets bigger instead of smaller. Essential listening if you are planning a trip, supporting someone in recovery, or looking for proof that sober does not mean boring.Teresa Bergen is a travel writer, author, and longtime sober traveler known for helping people explore the world confidently without alcohol. She is the author of *Sober Travel Handbook* and shares practical strategies for navigating airports, hotels, weddings, conferences, and other alcohol-heavy spaces.Connect with Teresa Bergen via her website http://teresabergen.com/ She’s also on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-bergen-1083463a