We may be months past "Dry January," but the collective shift toward a life of sobriety is here to stay. Being sober isn’t just a way to start the year off; it can be a way to reset your lifestyle, no matter how social or celebratory the season is. While alcohol often seems like a default component of vacations and beachside relaxation, more travelers are exploring the joys of an alcohol-free, "dry vacation" or “dry tripping.”
According to a recent survey conducted by Hotels.com, an increase in “dry tripping,” or taking part in an alcohol-free vacation, has occurred among younger travelers. The trend highlights a growing interest in a more mindful approach to travel that centers one’s well-being over high alcohol consumption. The survey adds that more than 40% of travelers are considering booking a detox trip in the next year.
A report from Expedia found that “half of travelers say they would be interested in staying at a hotel that offers easily accessible alcohol-free options like mocktails or nonalcoholic beer.” This rise in sober-curious and fully-dry vacations has been linked to traveler’s desire to “stay in control,” and feel better emotionally and physically, with a greater focus on their overall experiences rather than the drinks themselves.
When it comes to a dry vacation, the benefits are clear. Not only can you enjoy the ease of a hangover-free travel experience, but sleep improves, you save more money from not buying drinks, and you can have more relaxation and recovery without the all-too-familiar haze of alcohol.
Whether you're looking to maintain your sobriety or simply want to try something new, here’s how you can enjoy a dry vacation of your own!
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Plan activities that don't center around drinking.
One of the best ways to enjoy a dry vacation is to plan activities that don’t revolve around alcohol. While being on the beach or poolside is a great way to relax, it can often bring the need to sip a pina colada or two. Instead, try booking excursions, going off-roading, and exploring the city's cultural art scene and museums. These are easy ways to immerse yourself in the culture and leave with lasting memories.
Connect with like-minded travelers.
Traveling sober can be easier when you connect with others who share your lifestyle. Look for travel groups or tours that cater to sober travelers; these groups can offer support and camaraderie, making your dry vacation more enjoyable.
Explore non-alcoholic beverage options.
Just because you’re not drinking alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious beverage. Many hotels and resorts now offer a variety of elevated, non-alcoholic options to support your sober vacationing experience. Your next virgin cocktail or mocktail awaits.
Enjoy quality wellness-focused experiences.
As a sober-curious traveler, you now have the option to book vacations that leave you feeling rejuvenated and well-rested, and with wellness trips, resorts, and retreats on the rise, these health-enhancing holidays often place alcohol low on the agenda, while prioritizing overall well-being.
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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