Go sober for October: How to avoid booze around the world this month
A whole month without alcohol? You may need a distraction. Fortunately, we have some recommendations to help see you through.
The dry season
It is, at first glance, a very bad idea. Just as the nights start to lengthen, and the image of a big log fire in a cosy pub leaps to mind, along comes talk of giving up alcoholic tipples. For a month. Sorry, who thinks THAT is a good thing? Well, Macmillan Cancer Support, actually. The charity is behind the snappily titled drive that is “Go Sober for October” (gosober.org.uk) – the gist being that, not only do you put down your wine glass for 31 days, you ask people to sponsor your sacrifice and raise cash in the process. How to conjure such restraint? Perhaps via a break which encourages said virtue. And it has to be better than Dry January, when it’s cold, wet, and even more miserable.
Indian autumn
One way to ensure you don’t suddenly neck a treble vodka is to put as much distance as possible between you and your local. How far is far enough? Pune in India should do it. It’s home to the Atmantan Wellness Resort (atmantan.com), a retreat where you give up all your bad habits via a “Master Cleanse” programme of massage and detox. From $1,380pp (£1,051) in October, including three nights’ sleep; flights extra.
Peak condition
If Pune still feels too close to your drinks cabinet, Shakti Himalaya sells holidays to the mountains of north India. Its offer, “Shakti Kumaon & Ananda in the Himalayas” – 15 nights in two retreats – is available until April 20 from $12,700pp; shaktihimalaya.com; flights extra.
A shady past
History shows that getting rid of booze never causes shadowy spirit-glugging and organised crime. What’s that? Oh. Yes. Big Onion Walking Tours (bigonion.com) runs “Satan’s Seat: New York During Prohibition” – a two-hour trip ($25) around the shady places that fuelled the Big Apple of 1920-1933. Stay at he Iroquois Hotel (iroquoisny.com; doubles $209), which has a speakeasy-type bar, Lantern’s Keep. Though don’t go in, obviously.
Utah saints
Some parts of America like to set an example to the demon drink. Such as Utah, where alcohol laws are tighter than Cristiano Ronaldo’s swimming trunks – due in part to the prevalence of Mormonism. Lucky, then, that the state is best seen sober, on a road trip around its canyons and rock arches. You can book a 14-night “Stunning Utah National Parks” fly-drive break, from £1,111pp with flights, via americaasyoulikeit.com.
A right turn off
If you’re going to abstain from Bloody Marys until November, you may as well also spurn those other little niceties. Like your phone. The Pine Cliffs Resort (pinecliffs.com) in the Algarve sells a three-day “Digital Detox” spa package for €543pp (£483). Doubles from €175 in October; flights extra.
Olive island
Southern Europe is an option for booze-free autumn breaks if you can resist the urge to holler for the wine list at the first whiff of a warm evening and a terrace. The Verdura Resort in Sicily (roccofortehotels.com) offers such delights – but also sells a “Sicilian Aroma Massage” (from €160/£142) using local olive oil, which is more virtuous. A week’s stay (Oct 20-27), with flights, starts at £1,855pp (scottdunn.com).
Riad trip
A sober getaway can be as simple as a weekend in Marrakech, where the martini in your left hand is replaced by the cup of mint tea in your right. Riad Farnatchi (riadfarnatchi.com), inside the medina, dispenses herbal beverages, a rooftop space for cityscape sunsets, a spa and doubles in October for 2,380 Dirham (£193), with breakfast.
Rudding marvel
There are rooftops in Yorkshire as well as Morocco. Not least at Rudding Park (ruddingpark.co.uk) – a hotel in Harrogate that has created an elevated spa where you can fend off all thoughts of pinot grigio by stargazing in the infinity pool. Its “Sleeping Beauty Spa Break” deal – dinner, bed, breakfast, spa access – starts at £186pp.
Trick of the 'tail
Enough! It’s October, not the new year. I’m not giving up booze unless someone can prise this fine malt whisky from my dead hands. I want tequila. And brandy. I want London Cocktail Week (drinkup.london; Oct 1-7). I’ll sponsor someone to be Temperance Teresa. Where do I donate again?
