Close Menu
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ❤️ CONTENT
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERS✏️
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • 📰 PRESS 📺
    • THE SOBEES 🐝
    • CONTACT 📧
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS 🍺
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES 🍾
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS 🍸
    • READY TO DRINK 🥤
    • BEHIND THE BAR 🍋‍🟩
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS 🧠💪🏼
    • MENTAL HEALTH 🧠
    • RELATIONSHIPS 🤟🏽
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY 🖋️
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! 🗣️
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART 🛍️
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT ⁉️
    • COMING OUT SOBER 🏳️‍🌈
    • 🏆 CONTENT
    • ✂️CURATED CRAFTS🎨
    • FASHION 👠
    • SHOP 🛒
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT 🔦
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION 💻
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT 📚
    • MOVIE REVIEWS 🍿
    • MUSIC 🎶
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND 🎙️
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST 🎧
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS 📺
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! 🧳
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO 🔮
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW 🧘🏻‍♀️
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ❤️ CONTENT
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERS✏️
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • 📰 PRESS 📺
    • THE SOBEES 🐝
    • CONTACT 📧
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS 🍺
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES 🍾
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS 🍸
    • READY TO DRINK 🥤
    • BEHIND THE BAR 🍋‍🟩
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS 🧠💪🏼
    • MENTAL HEALTH 🧠
    • RELATIONSHIPS 🤟🏽
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY 🖋️
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! 🗣️
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART 🛍️
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT ⁉️
    • COMING OUT SOBER 🏳️‍🌈
    • 🏆 CONTENT
    • ✂️CURATED CRAFTS🎨
    • FASHION 👠
    • SHOP 🛒
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT 🔦
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION 💻
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT 📚
    • MOVIE REVIEWS 🍿
    • MUSIC 🎶
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND 🎙️
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST 🎧
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS 📺
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! 🧳
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO 🔮
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW 🧘🏻‍♀️
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
Home - Living the Luxe Life in Malaga with Sobertopia
TRAVEL

Living the Luxe Life in Malaga with Sobertopia

Teresa BergenBy Teresa BergenJune 29, 20256 Mins Read
Sobertopia Malaga Teresa Bergen Sober Travel Reviews The Sober Curator
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Photo Credit: Teresa Bergen

Lazing around on cushy patio furniture with an ocean view, choosing between attending an onsite yoga class or cooling off on a unicorn floatie in the pool—this probably wasn’t the way that most of us spent our addicted years. But Izzy van Zuilen, founder of Sobertopia, offers this luxe experience in her alcohol-free retreats for women.

In June, I joined a three-night Sobertopia retreat at a swanky villa near Malaga, Spain. Here’s what it was like.

The Digs

Izzy, who lived near Malaga for many years before moving to California in 2024, got into the retreat biz because she wanted to meet more nondrinking women. COVID cancelled her first retreat, but she’s been running twice yearly in Spain since 2022. Part of the fun is looking for the perfect retreat house.

“I do different houses every year because I like to look around new places,” she told me as we sat on a twin bed in my ocean-facing room.  “Especially if the same people come, it’s nice to have a new environment. But last year I booked this house, and I loved it so much and everybody loved it, so I just decided to stay with the same one this year.”

We listen to the waves. “I can see why you came back here,” I say.

“It’s cool, isn’t it?” she agrees. “Right on the beach.”

Our house, Villa Ada, has eight bedrooms. I’m sharing a room with Lori Sjollema, our delightful yoga teacher/massage therapist. Bethany Ghersie, our private chef, has a small room behind the kitchen. All the other retreat participants have their own bedrooms. Ideally, Izzy looks for a ten-bedroom house with a pool within an hour or so of an airport in a location with stuff to do.

My favorite things about Villa Ada are the dark wood and exquisite tile work on the stair risers, on the trim, everywhere. And all the outdoor patio areas have padded furniture. And, of course, the miles-long stretch of beach right out front.

The Ladies

Sobertopia emphasizes discretion. We all signed a confidentiality form before the retreat. As a travel writer, I made a couple of short speeches to the group about respecting their privacy. So, no juicy details here. Just some general stats to give you an idea of who goes, and whether a Sobertopia retreat might be for you.

First, it’s all ladies. We ranged from early thirties to early sixties. Since the retreats are in Spain, Izzy draws mainly from the UK and some of Europe. Americans who make the long journey generally combine the retreat with other stops in Europe. Our group included three Americans, one Irish gal, one German living in Spain, and three British women. Most were in recovery or at least quit because they felt they had a problem with alcohol. A couple still drinks a little bit, but question whether they should. Our retreat included four Sobertopia repeat customers.

“There’s quite a few ladies that travel for the first time by themselves,” Izzy told me. “They love the connection and how easy it is to connect during such a short time.”

Sobertopia Malaga Teresa Bergen Sober Travel Reviews The Sober Curator
Pictured: Coach Nacho and Teresa Bergen

The Activities

Izzy nicely balanced introspective activities like yoga, sound healing (with the excellent Leonie Schuurman), and a journaling workshop, with fun. One morning, we went to a nearby padel tennis court for a lesson. This sport, which lies between tennis, squash, and pickleball on the racket sport spectrum, was new to me. Padel pro Nacho, a charming host and elegant player, gave us a helpful lesson. The next day, we Ubered into the Malaga city center for tapas and shopping. The ocean was about 70 degrees, so people got in for dips and swims. We had a couple of stand-up paddle boards available for use.

All the activities were optional. Most people participated in most things, but there were always a few who chose sunning by the pool or strolling the beach instead.

Izzy is well-schooled on the latest nonalcoholic beverages. I must have sampled more NA drinks in four days than I had in my lifetime up till then. It was like a nonstop NA open bar, and we ladies knocked back a lot of drinks. There always seemed to be a cooler of canned mocktails and/or an open bottle of NA champagne in the ice bucket. One night, we tried Seagram’s alcohol-free gin with different flavors of tonic.

Besides drinking NA champagne, massage was perhaps the most popular activity. Every one of us signed up for an onsite massage. Lori valiantly worked the giant knot around my right shoulder, and everybody else’s problem areas, too.

Izzy said her retreat activities vary depending on the site. There could be a hike or a Wim Hof cold water immersion workshop. But she always offers yoga and massage.

Sobertopia Malaga Teresa Bergen Sober Travel Reviews The Sober Curator
Photo Credits: Teresa Bergen

Food and Drink

Bethany has been Izzy’s personal chef for all her Spain retreats. She makes gorgeous, nutritious food and cheerfully caters to vegans (me!), gluten-free, and other challenging eaters. Breakfast favorites include chia pudding and avocado toast. For dinner, we might find a giant paella. We had a berry birthday cake the first night to celebrate two guests’ birthdays.

Future Sobertopia events

Last year, Izzy moved from Spain to San Francisco. She plans to hold future retreats in California. Check her website for updates. In the meantime, if you’re in San Francisco, you can join her for a monthly walk for sober ladies. Past walks followed the Marina waterfront to the Golden Gate, sometimes ending with a cold plunge. She’s planning walks in the Twin Peaks area, too.

I love Izzy’s dedication to building a community of alcohol-free women. She’s a wonderful hostess who gives women confidence and connection. “I love the organization of it,” she said. “I love the people. I love it when everybody’s so appreciative in the end. Like, ‘Oh my god, this is life-changing.’ And that always makes me cry and gives me shivers. And that’s what I do it for, like at the end, how they react and what it gives people. I love that. It’s so cool.”

Pictured: Izzy and Teresa, Photo Credit courtesy of Sobertopia

✈️ Sober Adventures Wanted! 🏞️

Have you taken a trip without the booze but with all the epic vibes? Did you hike majestic trails, sip fancy mocktails poolside, or just find a quiet corner of the world where your soul could exhale? We want the juicy details (and the jaw-dropping pics)! The Sober Curator is putting together the ultimate sober travel guide—and your story could be the highlight.

Send us a postcard!
(And by that we mean… save the stamp and shoot us an email. We’re cool like that.)

📬 thesobercurator@gmail.com


Sober Retreat Calendar

SOBER RETREATS: with Senior Travel Sober Curator Contributor Teresa Bergen is your go-to space for alcohol-free travel tips, insider guides, and honest reviews from a sober perspective. Teresa blends her passions—animals, wildlife conservation, sustainability, geography, culture, outdoor adventure, and yoga—into enriching travel stories that inspire mindful exploration. From kayaking and hiking to visiting historic cemeteries and sacred spaces, she uncovers the beauty where history, art, and spirituality meet.

Planning a sober retreat? Fill out our Sober Retreats Form or email Teresa at Teresa.Bergen@gmail.com with your retreat name, dates, cost, URL, and a horizontal, high-res image for our calendar listing. Sober Events more your style? Click HERE.


the sober guide to luxe summer bougie ice cream

SOBER LIFESTYLE:  The Sober Guide to a Luxe Summer


Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

follow the sober curator on instagram

Follow The Sober Curator on Instagram

luxe life sober in spain sober retreats sober travel sobertopia traveling sober
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Teresa Bergen
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Teresa Bergen is a Portland, Oregon-based writer who specializes in the outdoors, eco, vegan and sober travel. She’s written for many publications ranging from famous to obscure, and her previous books include Easy Portland Outdoors, Transcribing Oral History, and Historic Cemeteries of Portland, Oregon.

Related Posts

SOBER AF Bottle Shop Tacoms Sober Events

Build, Sip & Chill: LEGO Nights at Sober AF Bottle Shop

October 30, 2025
Sobriety Is the New Epic – Why Sobriety Is the Greatest Adventure of My Life

Sobriety Is the New Epic – Why Sobriety Is the Greatest Adventure of My Life

October 30, 2025
Sober in Chicago

Sober in Chicago: From Gangsters and Ghosts to Mocktails and the Temperance Movement

October 23, 2025
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Capsule Adventures Ryan Lee
The Sober Curator Podcast now streaming
Happy Traveler with Kim Parsley
Top AF Sober Travel Companies USA Today
Sober City Mobile App
SOBERSCRIBE AND GET ON THE LIST!
Sober Events at The Sober Curator
7 events found.
  • Week of October 27
  • Previous week
  • Next week
Notice
No events scheduled for October 27, 2025.
7:00 pm
Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle

Elliott Bay Books Seattle
$28.00
BigVision Halloween Fright Night
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Halloween Fright Night

BigVision 309 Social Club 309 East 49th Street @ 2nd Ave, New York
$15.00
Notice
No events scheduled for October 29, 2025.
Notice
No events scheduled for October 30, 2025.
7:00 am
Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class
October 31 @ 7:30 am - 9:30 am PDT

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

$72.00
6:00 pm
Gay & Sober Presents:  HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.
October 31 @ 6:00 pm PDT

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.

The Manhattan Mirage 265 W. 37th Street at 8th Avenue , New York City
See website
Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe
October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe

1009 West 13th Street Vancouver, WA 98660 1009 West 13th Street, Vancouver
Free
Ongoing
Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

$3445 – $4995
7:00 am
Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)
November 1 @ 7:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)

Falcon Stadium 4900 Stadium Boulevard, Air Force Academy
See website
All Day
Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures
November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

$1999
Capetown, South Africa
November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

$4700
Ongoing
Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

$3445 – $4995

Week of Events

Mon 27
Tue 28
Wed 29
Thu 30
Fri 31
Sat 1
Sun 2
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats If you’re in recovery—whether newly sober or years into your journey—and ready to reconnect with your purpose, build meaningful connections,

$3445 – $4995
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai Join us for a rejuvenating week-long yoga retreat near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area

$1999
November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

Capetown, South Africa

November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

Capetown, South Africa Luxury reset, sightseeing, sobriety and safari in South Africa.

$4700
October 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson Wellness writer Suzanne Warye discusses The Sober Shift: A Modern-Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life, alongside life and sobriety coach Casey McGuire Davidson.

$28.00
October 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
BigVision Halloween Fright Night
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Halloween Fright Night

BigVision Halloween Fright Night Get ready for a spooktacular evening at 309 Social Club! Join us for Halloween Fright Night, a special movie night guaranteed to bring the chills and

$15.00
October 31, 2025 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class
October 31 @ 7:30 am - 9:30 am PDT

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

$72.00
October 31, 2025 6:00 pm
Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.
October 31 @ 6:00 pm PDT

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N. TICKETS:  OCTOBER: $30 DAY OF/AT THE DOOR: $40  ​ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31ST, 2025 Mark your calendars for a night

See website
October 31, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe
October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe Get ready to rock your favorite costume and sing your heart out at our Soberoke Costume Party - a night

Free
November 1, 2025 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)
November 1 @ 7:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy – CO)

See website
View Calendar
The Modern Day Hobo Bill Lindala Living the AirBnB life
The Sober Curator
Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok YouTube Pinterest
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • LINKS DISCLAIMER
  • EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • REFUND POLICY
  • DON’T SELL MY INFO
  • DATA SUBJECT REQUEST FORM
  • CONTACT US
© 2025 The Sober Curator - Benefits of a Alcohol Free Lifestyle

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.