I have been to Rome four times. Three of those trips were when I was actively drinking, and one was when I was sober. In my last blog post I wrote about ten reasons why traveling sober is better than the alternative. But this time I wanted to share what my experience was actually like. Why I loved it so much, and why I cannot wait to return with SGA’s Italy LGBTQ sober adventure tour.
Why I Went to Rome Sober
I went to Rome to scout for the trip SGA will be running in August 2026. I wanted to experience firsthand what our guests would experience. I did not want to offer a cookie cutter vacation where the organizers barely know the itinerary, like some big budget travel companies.
The other reason was personal. I wanted to experience one of my favorite countries in the world sober. Most of the times I visited Italy in the past, I wandered through the cities in a haze. I did go once with my parents, so I was not completely out of control, but I still had what I like to call wine goggles on. It was important for me to see these cities in Italy with clear, sober eyes.
When I traveled before, I also had what I would call a wine budget. That meant I did not see as much as I should have. I would say, “I want to live like the locals,” which was really code for, “I want to drink while people watching.” This time, I wanted to experience Rome as a tourist. I wanted to appreciate it and fall in love with it for a completely different reason.
Rome in a Day Tour
We are only in Rome for a couple of days on the SGA tour, so I wanted to find a way to see as much as possible while still giving people time to explore the city on their own. During my research, I found The Tour Guy’s Rome in a Day tour. It was exactly what I was looking for. You get to visit the inside of the Vatican and the Colosseum and see everything in between. They even transfer you from Vatican City to the city center in an air conditioned van.
I had been inside the Vatican before, but I had a broken shoulder and was on painkillers. I had surgery after breaking my shoulder while visiting Italy. And fun fact, I was not even drunk when it happened. It was not my finest moment. So returning healed and sober, I was in awe of the building. It is hard to describe how grand the Vatican really is, and seeing it through sober eyes was incredible.
After that, we went into the city center where our guide showed us the highlights of Rome, including the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. As touristy as the Trevi Fountain is, it is still fun to throw in the coin. I used to be the kind of tourist who avoided tourist attractions, but now that I actually do them, I love them. I have even started doing them in New York City with SGA NYC.
From the city center, we walked through the ruins that lead to the Colosseum. Our guide was knowledgeable and had story after story about what these ancient structures once held. When I was drinking, I did not appreciate what surrounded me. Sobriety taught me to appreciate both the opportunity and the history.
We ended the tour at the Colosseum. If you watch my introduction to SGA on YouTube, you will hear that it is probably my favorite place in the world. I have loved it since I was a kid, years before I ever visited Rome. When I first saw it in person, I cried. But for some reason, I never went inside.
Standing in the skip the line queue, I got teary eyed again. In the past, my drinking was more important than going inside one of my favorite places. I would rather see it from the patio of a bar than actually experience it. And there I was, sober, finally getting to experience it the right way. With a clear mind and a grateful heart.
That first day sober in Rome was more than I could have hoped for. I had an experience I fully remember, and I found a tour company I can stand behind for the guests who will join me on SGA’s Italy adventure. And after all that walking, I had an incredible carbonara near the hotel.
Free Walking Tour and a Lot of Food
On my second day I wanted to test a more affordable option, so I joined one of the free walking tours. You can get great experiences at a low cost, even if they do not have all the extras of a private tour. I enjoyed this one as well. The guide was more relaxed and went off script, taking us to places we had not visited before.
He introduced me to one of my favorite places to eat in Rome, Pastificio Guerra. You can get a bowl of fresh pasta to go for five euros. They only serve two kinds each day, and it is some of the best pasta I have ever had. Right across the street is a great tiramisu spot for dessert. While we will not be taking the full walking tour as a group, we will definitely be stopping here for a bite.
When planning my first sober trip to Italy, I also wanted to try a food tour. When I was drinking, I did not always eat as well as I should have. Of course I had good meals here and there, but I wanted to truly taste what Rome had to offer.
I found the Roman Food Tour in Trastevere, and it was exactly what I was looking for. The only issue was that it included wine tastings. When they asked about allergies, I simply said I did not drink. They had no problem with it. In fact, the guide was so kind that she offered me a non alcoholic drink at every stop. When we run this tour with SGA, it will be private and alcohol free.
We visited some amazing spots in Trastevere. We ate incredible sandwiches, sampled local cheeses, enjoyed pasta and pizza, and ended with real gelato. If you ever see gelato that is bright, colorful, and piled high, that is not the kind you want. Real Italian gelato sits lower in the case and is often covered. That is the good stuff.
The tour was excellent, and I probably gained a few pounds along the way. But it was exactly the kind of experience I wanted to include in SGA’s Italy vacation.
Exploring Rome Sober
It was important for me to reintroduce myself to Rome while sober. I wanted to appreciate the history and also find optional activities for guests who may want more structure. So I stayed a few extra days and tried different experiences.
I hiked up a hill for a spectacular view of the city. I booked a time slot to go inside the Pantheon, since the Rome in a Day tour only visits the outside. I took a boat ride and even tried a double decker bus tour. That bus ride actually inspired me to offer a private one as our meet and greet activity.
I am so glad I took those extra days. Not just for planning the SGA trip, but for myself. I needed to prove that I could enjoy travel and this city again without alcohol. I stopped to watch street performers instead of rushing by. I watched artists paint. I experienced Rome instead of just pretending to live like a local.
Italy holds a special place in my heart. Even when I drank my way through Rome, I knew it was something special. My best friend passed away almost ten years ago, and I took my first overseas trip in his honor. It was something we never got to do together. I even planned that first trip during our birthday week, so Italy has a deep personal connection for me.
The thing about Italy is that even though the cities are old, visiting never gets old. Every trip feels like the first time exploring. This last one just happened to be better because I was sober. It was better because I appreciated it more. It was better because I was truly grateful to be there.
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