Traveling Sober

Once a caterpillar...

Changing and growing, growing and changing.  Yes, it’s true, I have resisted change many times in my life, and still do, however, I have gotten better about going with the flow downstream, and embracing new directions in my life, and find myself coming to a place of acceptance much more quickly that in the old days .  Part of it is recovery, part of it is applying the Law of Attraction in my life, whatever it is, I am grateful for it… So change has come to my business plan.  A couple of years ago I was looking for a  group trip to Italy, and I couldn’t find one that didn’t greet you at the airport with a glass of wine, and drive you directly to a vineyard.  I am exaggerating, but not by much, as those of you who have been where I have been well know.  I researched sober travel, and found lots of great opportunities, but not exactly what I was looking for personally, so it was time to put my customer service skills and travel experience to good use, and create a company that offered the kind of trip I was looking for, and “Clean Getaway Travel” was born.  2 years down the road, and I have learned that the process of building a business is a demanding one, physically, financially, and emotionally.  Our first group trip to Key West produced 2 adventurers, so I supplemented our group activities with interesting local sober people, and I can tell you, a good time was had by all, myself included.  However, it made me realize it may take longer to build a business of this type from the ground up, so I have decided to use my talents to organize individual alcohol free vacations for people and groups, and connect sober travelers with alcohol free travel opportunities around the globe.  Woohoo, I am excited again!  My first project is a sober honeymoon right here in Old Key West, where, by the way, I will be offering package tours complete with meeting lists .  That’s right, your very own personalized Key West Adventure!  Of course we will still be offering exciting Group Journeys, like our Italian Adventure, “La Bella Vita,” translation, “The Good Life,” which promises to be the trip of a lifetime. So this is where we are.  Changing things up, and it feels good.  There is a big exciting World out there for the Sober Traveler, and we intend to bring it to you, one destination at a time, one day at a time…

The City of Light

OK, The long awaited blog entry on Paris…

I LOVE Paris.  It is no secret, I am smitten with her.  I fall in love with cities like I do with people, and Paris has a place in my heart forever.  For some reason, when I first started traveling to Europe,  when I first HAD MONEY to travel to Europe, I chose Paris.  I love everywhere I have been since, but Paris is still special, and I dream of returning again and again.

This last trip in March, I checked out lots of great spots and activities for our next group adventure with Clean Getaway Travel, and I can’t wait to share my love of The City of Light with sober friends.  The food is unbelievable, the people couldn’t be nicer, the history is amazing, the shopping is legendary, and beauty and art are everywhere. Spring had sprung, with flowers blooming, and Parisians smiling, strolling the streets, and relaxing in the parks.  Accordion music is around every corner, and when I think of Paris, this is the music that I hear.  Paris definitely has a soundtrack!

Crusty baguettes, cheese so good that is actually illegal in the United States, crepes on the street, cafe au lait at a sidewalk bistro, the delights for the senses are endless, and you must really visit to understand what Ernest Hemingway meant when he said Paris is “a moveable feast.”  For me, that feast will never leave me, I can dine on it wherever I am at in The World, simply by thinking of the sly smile on The Mona Lisa, imagining La Tour Eiffel twinkling at midnight, listening to some Edith Piaf…the emotions of walking in a light drizzle along the Seine rush right back like I was still there… heavy sigh.

And for my sober traveling companions, I can tell you that on my last trip, I went to an English speaking meeting, and it was definitely an experience I recommend to all travelers in recovery.  So nice to meet like minded people around the world!

I could go on and on about Paris all night long, and I may very soon again, but in the meantime, go see “Midnight in Paris,” and know that I am thrilled at the prospect of putting together an Adventure to one of, if not the most, magical cities in The World in the very near future.  I know you will love Paris, perhaps not as much as I do, that would be impossible, but a lot nonetheless…

Windmills of Mykonos

OK, I know, the world’s slowest blogger…one of these days I will figure out how to live and write at the same time, here’s to the expansion of time!  So it is on an overcast Fourth of July in Key West that I take some time to catch up.  YES, I went to Paris sober, again, and YES, she is the most amazing city, I am definitely smitten with her .  That is something I have some to know about myself, I fall in love with cities, and that is the way it is with Paris.  I could go on and on, and I promise I will at a later date, but for now I am cultivating an infatuation with Greece… A while back my Yoga instructor Nancy with “Yoga on the Beach” had expressed an interest in sharing her practice with students on an adventure to Greece, and how fortunate I am to be able to put this trip together for her.  Our Yoga Greek Odyssey, Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, the Cradle of Civilization, Gods and Goddesses, black sand beaches, turquoise blue waters, whitewashed walls and blue domed churches, and Well Being!  Throw in some Greek dancing, a full day sail, a healthy Greek cooking class, a donkey ride, The Acropolis, baklava, and impromptu ABBA singalong, and you have the makings of a trip of a lifetime.  Oh yeah, and of course Yoga everyday…Blissful!  And while this is a departure for me from organizing strictly alcohol free vacations, it is a slight one.  Any one spiritually fit to travel will enjoy this amazing holiday, and we have English speaking meetings in Athens for  folks interested in attending.  I just had to write about this incredible adventure, not just for shameless self-promotional reasons(we still have a few spaces available , but because this is what happens to me as I put a trip together, I get excited, and it has to come out!  I have relationships with destinations, and I start with the flirting, i.e. the research, and then on to the infatuation and the courting, and the next thing you know, SHAZAM, I am in love again…Will I fall in love as I follow my Bliss to Greece?  I can’t say for sure, but for now, I can tell you, like the Great Odysseus, I can hear the Siren’s call…

"Paradise Found" Welcome Party

OK, I know, our Key West Adventure was in December, what took so long for the blog post?  First and foremost, while I love writing, I am a new blogger, and I still find computerin’ somewhat intimidating.  Secondly, my passions are traveling sober, and helping others.  I LOVE travel!  I LOVE people!  And sometimes, for me, this gets in the way of continuously updating all the things that need updating in this high tech information age.  Those are my excuses, and I will stand behind them .  Oh yeah, can I throw the Holiday season in there as well?  I LOVE Christmas!

Our Key West Adventure  is what sober travel is all about.  “Paradise Found”,  the inaugural trip with our company Clean Getaway Travel was a HUGE success.  All of our Adventurers had an awesome time, and there was a grand and glorious welcome from the community here in our little island Paradise.  Jet Skiing, Butterflies, Amazing food, Ghosts, Drag Queens, Chocolate, Volunteering with Wildlife, Incredible Sunsets, Bike rides, Snorkeling turquoise waters, and NEW FRIENDS!   That’s our trip in a nutshell.    For me, travel is always about the people, and lasting friendships were made on this incredible journey.  We had so much fun, we have decided to make it an annual event.  You can see our escapades in our Key West Photo Gallery.  We hope you will join us this December, and make your own memories to last a lifetime.

Sober travel is not always easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard, and it certainly can be FUN!  Exploring a new destination with a group of like minded people is one of my greatest joys in recovery.  Hope to see you on an alcohol-free Adventure with us sometime soon.

John Hollis and Yours Truly, Rockin' out on the Radio

I was up at The 3rd Annual 12 Step Music Festival last night, and had a great time!  Like a Clean and Sober Woodstock, with meetings and fellowship, Woohoo!  2 years ago, I co-emceed this event, and this year I was there in a Sponsorship capacity with my Sober Travel company Clean Getaway Travel.  What a pleasure to support this great event, and if you get a chance to come down in the future, DO IT!   It was so much fun hanging out with my peeps, including John Hollis from “Holistic Lifestyles Radio.“  We did an awesome live interview, and had a blast chatting about everything under the sun, including the challenges of sober travel.  Be sure to stay tuned, we have some cool stuff to announce in the near future…

Buon Appetito!

When I think of Italy, breathtaking scenery, incredible food, and interesting people come to mind.  Now,  for the challenges…  This was a business trip for me, a 7 day itinerary compressed into 5 days.  36 people on the trip, most of them travel agents and group leaders, with a handful of priests thrown in due to the spiritual nature of the region, andI was the only non-drinker!  I am so grateful today that I am spiritually fit enough for this type of trip, but I do not recommend it for everyone.  We stayed at an amazing sanctuary at the foot of the Italian Alps, and no meeting for miles and miles.  How to do Italy sober?  These are the issues that we are addressing at Clean Getaway Travel.  Our upcoming trip to Italy is designed to remove some of these challenges, like having to say no, time after time, even to the same people when the wine is being poured.  It’s been my experience that sometimes well-meaning “normal” people have a hard time understanding that no means no, especially when it comes to wine in Italy.  I am so excited to be able to offer the opportunity to visit this incredible country of warm-hearted people with a sober group of friends in April, meetings everyday for those who chose to attend, alcohol-free inspiring cultural experiences, and an all around great time traveling in Italy sober.  Can it be done?  You betcha!  I didn’t come this far along in my sober travels to not be able to experience all the richness and cultural differences that this big, wide wonderful world has to offer.  Italy, I love you, and Moto Grazie for everything, and I know that you will welcome us with open arms when we visit next spring.  A sober adventure in Italy is one of the most liberating experiences anyone can ever imagine.  Ciao!

The End of the Road...

20 years ago, I was fearless. In my relentless pursuit of traveling the World, it was nothing for me to blaze into a town, get a job, settle in, pack up, and do it again. I managed to gather 49 states this way. And then I found myself at the end of the road. Key West for the winter, why not? Well, this Southernmost City in the United States kept calling me back. Again and again. After 4 winters, I finally stayed put. I had found a home. What was it about this 2×4 mile island 90 miles from Cuba that was so special? Why had she captured my heart? To me, cities and towns are like people. Key West and I had our ups and downs, she is an island that loves to party, and for many years I was happy to join in. Somewhere along the line, the party was over for me, maybe you can relate. Now what? Time to sober up, and see what Paradise offered through new, clear eyes. Almost seven years ago I began this journey of discovery and recovery, yes, recovering the things I had loved and lost about my island home. Riding my bike home on a balmy summer night, almost knocked over by the smell of Cuban cooking and night blooming jasmine thick in the air. The turquoise waters, with every shade of blue one could possibly imagine. The glorious sunsets, each one a unique and spectacular creation. The colorful characters and sense of community where everyone is ready to help each other out, under our “One Human Family” umbrella. Heading out to sea for a day of snorkeling, watching dolphins frolicking, and the most beautiful tropical fish playing on our reef. The food, the music, the colorful cottages. Some thing about waking up in the winter, and throwing on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt just never gets old. This is my home. Where I got clean. There are many alcohol free travel experiences out there, and the island Paradise of Key West is one of the most memorable sober trips anyone could every experience. My sober travel adventures have just begun, and I can tell you that no matter where I go, Paris, The Mediterranean, no matter how fabulous, I always breathe a sigh of relief when my plane touches down at Key West International. I am home. If you are looking for a sober vacation, I invite you to come and experience the Key West know and love through clear eyes. Come down to the end of the road. Perhaps you too will discover that Paradise has not been lost. Key West is Paradise Found.

Sunset in Paradise

When I tell regular people that I have a group coming to Key West for an alcohol free vacation, the reaction is usually the same, chuckling, or disbelief…That used to be me, a vacation without alcohol? Why would I even bother, of course, towards the end I couldn’t go anywhere anyway. And Key West! I spent many years wasting away in Margaritaville…but Key West is so much more than Duval Street. Beautiful clear water in different shades of turquoise, gorgeous sunsets, colorful history, wonderful people, snorkeling, diving, fishing, music, wildlife, art, gourmet dining, chillaxing, the list goes on and on. The truth is, when I started working on our sober adventure in Key West, it wasn’t easy fitting everything there was to do into one week…I am so excited to be able to share our amazing Island with fellow adventurers seeking an amazing sober vacation. Explore Paradise on a bicycle, and marvel at the quaint architecture. Feel the rush of adrenaline and the excitement of touring the Island from the blue-green water on a guided jet ski tour. Listen to the sound of your breath in and out through your snorkel as you gaze down into the ocean at brightly colored tropical fish and coral. Savor the experience of dining with new friends on fresh local seafood and other Caribbean delicacies while mingling with locals at some of the best kept secrets in town, even learn some recipes to impress the folks back home with! Get your hands dirty while helping out our feathered friends at The Key West Wildlife Center. Grease up, and work on your tan, lounging by the pool. Head out to sea on a tall ship, and let the sunset take your breath away. Yes, my friends, we have found what we seek right here in Key West, and we think you will too. Join the club, and come on down. Paradise awaits…

My name is Loretta, and I love to travel. Meeting people, visiting exotic places, exploring cultural treasures, sampling different culinary delights, and helping others, these are my passions.

How do I do this without drugs and alcohol? When I was young, I worked my way around the country, traveling to 49 states. What a great experience. And then, living in Key West, a beautiful Tropical Paradise, my traveling seemed to take a backseat to the big party. At some point the “Big Party” wasn’t that much of a party. I would often fantasize about visiting somewhere fabulous, and all my dreams stayed just that, dreams. How could I go anywhere? All of my time was spent chasing the elusive highs of the party lifestyle.

Almost 7 years ago, I woke up. Enough was enough. I had watched my passions fizzle out one by one, and I made some changes, maybe you can relate. Anyway, I did the work, and life got good! Today, I am no longer traveling in a self imposed prison of drugs and alcohol. FREEDOM, Baby, YEAH!

I started around the globe, so what if I want some SOBER traveling companions? I checked into it, and while there were several interesting companies offering alcohol free vacations, none had exactly what I was looking for. Clean Getaway Travel was born…Amazing Sober vacations, with opportunities to help others and enjoy the experience of being in a group of like minded people as we travel the world. One of the highlights of such a trip is the opportunity to attend a meeting in a foreign country, I highly recommend it. My first time in Paris, I went to an English Speaking meeting, and right when I walked in, I knew I was in the right place. Imagine hearing your share translated into French, even complaining sounds pretty! Of course, I had nothing to complain about, after all, I was in Paris. There were people from all different countries there, all with the same thing in common. And the post meeting meeting was at a little Cafe, where 13 of us went for dinner, and shared our experience, strength and hope, over a cafe au lait and some unbelievable food. This is what I love so much, our similarities, and exploring the world through clean and sober eyes, I hope you do to! Please feel free to share your sober travel experiences here, challenges and triumphs! I am filled with gratitude today…

Woohoo!

Do you love to travel, visit exotic places, make new friends,and have FUN! I do too, and I do it all SOBER…This is the official Clean Getaway Travel Club blog, a spot where we can share sober travel experiences, and enjoy the journey!