Travelling to the United Kingdom?
It’s a great place to try some amazing British gin and Scotch whisky! My lovely friends in England love taking me pub-hopping to delight in lots of cocktail, beer and cider, but the U.K. is an incredible place to revel in complete sobriety. A vast majority of international tourists explore London. But, allow me to recommend a stunning location that can be enjoyed in abstinent indulgence… Cambridge!
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Cambridge can be reached by way of a convenient 45-minute train ride north from London’s Kings Cross as part of one’s itinerary over a day tour. Cambridge is full of history given that it has been one of the oldest Universities in the world, having been established in 1209. Many internationally renowned guests and personas have graced its grounds such as Prince Charles, Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Charles Darwin, among many others. Cambridge is best relished cold sober or you’ll miss out on the sublime architecture that surrounds this magnanimous village!
Colleges
Cambridge University consists of colleges spread throughout the city. Tourists are welcome to enter and explore the colleges, many of which commemorate their famous alumni in statues along its splendidly manicured gardens. Most of the colleges have their own gorgeous and historic chapel, each with its own unique beauty. If you’re lucky, you may be able to witness a choir or orchestra practice. There’s nothing like classical music bellowing across the chapel interior. If time is limited, I recommend visiting iconic colleges the likes of King’s College, Trinity and St. John’s, all of which have entrance fees (unless you have a student or alumni host who can give you free access) but the artistry and charm inside are definitely worth seeing with your own eyes!
Fitzwilliam Museum
A 5-minute walk south of King’s College is the famous Fitzwilliam Museum. The museum houses remarkable exhibitions from around the world. The local exhibitions are of excellent quality, rarity and depth. Its special exhibitions are additionally quite exciting. I remember the Degas exhibition just concluded a couple of months ago, which I found to be meaningful and extraordinary. I love ballerinas and Degas’ famous paintings and statues were absolutely monumental to see in real life (I saw it for the second time – the first time was in Paris)! What’s also wonderful about the Fitzwilliam is that it features free entrance for everyone.
Old City Center – Cambridge Marketplace
Like every surpassing and striking British city, there’s a bustling historic center filled with indelible shopping. Cambridge has a great mix of homegrown mom & pop boutiques, historic and iconic gift stores, as well as premiere specialty shops. There are also lots of cuisines to devour ranging from cheap eats to distinctive restaurants, from local to international. One cannot come to be bored with all that your eyes and appetite could feast in! There are so many things to do within easy walking distance of each other.
Having traveled to over 30 countries around the world, I’ve certainly had my share of encountering the drunkenly dazed. Cambridge is a treasure to be recovered and a prized jewel to be discovered. Its glamour and allure is intoxicating enough that its delicacy will surely be the apple of anyone’s eyes!
For more ideas on sober travel, check out the Palmer Lake Recovery blog: https://www.palmerlakerecovery.com/blog/3-great-sober-travel-destinations-u-s/
