If you’ve been hanging around The Sober Curator for any length of time, you already know Teresa Bergen. She’s the one out there logging miles, collecting stories, and proving (repeatedly) that you can have a full, interesting, delightfully chaotic travel life without a drink in your hand.
Teresa has been writing for TSC for several years, and she also oversees our Sober Retreats calendar, which is basically a public service for anyone who’s ever Googled “sober vacation” and then immediately got overwhelmed. She regularly recaps her alcohol-free adventures around the globe, with the kind of grounded honesty that makes you feel like you’re traveling with a wise friend who also packed snacks. I love being the first to read about her latest adventures and to review the photo album that arrives in my inbox to help me select the artwork for each story.
And now she’s doing something huge.
In 2026, Teresa’s new travel guide hits the world like a carry-on that actually fits in the overhead bin:
Sober Travel Handbook: Navigating the World Alcohol-Free
by Teresa Bergen (Microcosm Publishing) University of Toronto Press Distribution
Why this book matters (especially if travel is a trigger-y little gremlin)
For nondrinkers, travel can be… a lot. Airports. Weddings. Work conferences. Family events. Networking happy hours. “Bottomless” everything. Alcohol can feel like the unofficial sponsor of modern mobility, and if you’re in recovery, the stress, fatigue, and emotional whiplash of travel can crank the volume on cravings.
Teresa gets it. And she wrote the book many of us wish we’d had shoved into our backpack years ago.
Drawing from her own experience plus interviews with nondrinking travelers and addiction experts, Teresa offers strategies for staying sober through all the classic “why is everyone drinking right now?” scenarios, from bachelorette parties to funerals to professional events.
Enter: Sober Cat ????✈️
One of the most charming parts: Teresa’s alter ego, Sober Cat, shows up in illustrations to help tell the story and keep things light when the topic gets heavy. Because sometimes you need a plan, and sometimes you also need a cat in sunglasses to remind you you’re not alone.
The details, for the planners (we see you)
Here’s what we know about the release:
- Available in stores: February 3, 2026
- ISBN: 9781648414633
- Publisher: Microcosm Publishing, University of Toronto Press Distribution
(And yes, you’re going to want to toss this into your personal-item bag next to your phone charger and your emotional support gum.)
Sober Spotlight: Teresa Bergen Wins Gold for Travel Writing on The Sober Curator.
Teresa’s got receipts (and awards)
Teresa isn’t just “a person who travels sober.” She’s an award-winning travel writer, including recognition from the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Western Chapter. SATW+1 That’s not just a shiny badge, that’s proof she can turn real-life travel into writing that lands.
When she’s not traveling…
Teresa is based in Portland, Oregon, where she enjoys her catio (iconic) and makes art featuring cats or her latest series on chickens (also iconic, in an entirely different way). Honestly: sober travel + catio + chicken art feels like the holy trinity of “living your life on purpose.”
The Sober Curator takeaway
We talk a lot around here about building a sober life that’s not just “less alcohol,” but more life. More freedom. More experiences. More yes. Teresa’s Sober Travel Handbook is exactly that energy: practical, compassionate, and built for the real world, where the minibar exists and the wedding bartender is heavy-handed.
So here’s your gentle nudge: if travel has ever made you nervous, shaky, tempted, lonely, or simply annoyed… put this one on your 2026 reading list.
Because the world is still yours.
Even if you skip the champagne toast. ????????????
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.
✈️ 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.
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(And by that we mean… save the stamp and shoot us an email. We’re cool like that.)
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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.
