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Non Drinker

Hello, I am planning on taking the RS BOE 21 day tour. I am a non drinker but do not want to miss out on anything. I still want to go to the Wine Tasting / Beer Hall etc. But just not have the alcohol. Have others found this to be an issue. That you are left out of participating because you are not drinking the Wine, etc.

Posted by
23177 posts

Same as the US, just say no. But if you are passing on the Wine Tasting, what is the point of going? Find an alternative activity. Since the wine tasting most likely involves a per head fee, why pay a fee not to participate. And, the common advice, check with the tour guide.

Posted by
2337 posts

There isn't an extra fee for Rick Steves tour activities.
There won't be an issue with not drinking, you will have told your guide you don't drink at the beginning and non-alchoholic substitutes will be provided. There was always some food/snacks provided with the tastings--I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience.

Posted by
3514 posts

No one cares what you drink or don't drink. Alternate beverages are available if beer or wine is provided with the meals. When drinks are not provided you pay for what you drink anyway so you order what you want.

The wine tasting usually includes a tour of the wine making facility. I always find that interesting. I don't think any alternative beverages were provided at the wine tastings we went to. But that doesn't mean you can't be there and just not drink.

Liz, True there is no extra fee to the tour members, but the guide has to pay for everyone. They really appreciate if you tell them that you are not participating as it means they don't have to buy your ticket for that event whatever the event is. This usually translates into additional snacks on the bus for everyone, or something like that, so the money you saved them still gets spent.

Posted by
1625 posts

I am not a wine drinker, I am allergic. But, like you, I did not want to be left out so I drank the wine in Europe thinking I would just have a sip and if I start to feel hot and flushed I would stop, but that never happened. I can actually drink wine in Europe with zero side effects. I don't know your reason for not drinking, if it is medical then absolutely refrain, but I would also still want to see the beautiful vineyard, the estate, the process, learn the history, see the barrels. Same with the beer halls. I did the Jameson Distillery Tour in Dublin and I never drink whisky, but after learning the history and the process I really enjoyed my drink at the end of the tour and even the tasting we did while on the tour.

Posted by
2252 posts

You don't have to miss out on anything! Unless of course, there is something else at the same time that you'd rather do. There is no 'per head or glass' charge and as others have said, it's so interesting to learn about the growing of grapes and making of wine (or other alcoholic beverages). There is usually food involved, too, which has always been very good! No one will care whether or not you drink and as stated before, there will usually be non-alcoholic drinks provided-water always available, for sure. Have a wonderful time; you have a great attitude!

Posted by
2699 posts

Everything is included so no extra charges. Every tour we have been on that includes wine tasting and the like has had very good food, and, several participants who did not drink alcohol and had very nice non-alcoholic beverages. The advice about letting the guide know in the very beginning is a good one. You can even call the tour department and let them know and they will convey that to the guide. But double check with him/her when you get there. Don’t opt out, you will have fun!

Posted by
23177 posts

It is not an extra fee but the tour company is paying the fee and you paid for it since it is all rolled into the final price.

Posted by
5835 posts

You do need to swallow to "taste" wine. Look, sniff, swish and spit, don't swallow. What does it look like? What does it smell like? How does it sit on your pallet and tongue? Then spit it out without swallowing. Of course if you are allergic to wine, don't.
Here's how to spit wine (How to Spit Wine (in slow motion)): https://winefolly.com/tutorial/how-to-spit-wine/

And of course I have not heard about beer tasters spitting. We beer drinkers must be too working class to not swallow.

Posted by
8252 posts

I just finished my first RS your. I’m a non-drinker and a wine tasting was included on our tour. First, there is no social pressure to drink. However, it is entirely up to the discretion of your guide whether non alcoholic alternatives are available. My guide was a little slow on figuring this out and it led to a few awkward moments where the group was toasting but I had nothing in my hand. She always had an alternate for me by the end of the tour. I could have done a better job communicating to the guide at the outset so I really think this is on me.

The wine tasting was, well, pretty dull. I did my best to enjoy the beautiful setting and appreciate the passion that the vintner had for his product. As a newbie, I didn’t realize I simply could have gone for a walk instead. My group members really enjoyed the event and it was fun to see them enjoying themselves.

I think it is important to realize that not every event or activity on a tour will be at the top of your “must do list.” If there is one that strikes you as dull, you can almost always be assured that the next one will be extremely interesting.

The quick summary is that being a non drinker did lead to one or two awkward moments, but nothing that diminished my enjoyment of the trip or was too uncomfortable.

Posted by
6265 posts

We've been to at least three wine tastings / winery/brewery/vineyard tours on RS tours, and non-alcoholic beverages were always available. There are kids on some of these tours, after all, as well as people who just can't or choose not to drink alcohol. No stigma, no problem. Enjoy the tour.

Posted by
8377 posts

There were a few times on our three tours where the hotel or the restaurant offered complimentary alcohol to the group (as a welcome), but these were very clearly not things that the RS tour arranged for, or paid for. One time, RS did buy a round of drinks of your preference, as an apology for a long-forgotten inconvenience. There were alternate beverages for non-drinkers. No one cared who was drinking or what. Our two winery tours were during the day, as an interim stop on the bus drive, so were not lingering bacchanals, where much beyond tasting was included.

Posted by
1194 posts

Wine tastings are interesting even if you don’t drink. They usually involve the history, the science, and agricultural techniques needed to produce the wines of the region. Definitely worth it in my book.

The same for beer halls.

It’s mostly about fellowship.

Posted by
2788 posts

I have taken 16 RS tours and most of them recently have involved a visit to a winery which included wine tasting all of which I have gone on. I do not drink alcohol but have enjoyed every winery tour where there has always been alternative non-alcoholic beverages and big meals at some. I have no regrets about going on all of them.

Posted by
26 posts

Last year I went on the RS 21-day European tour and loved it! I am a non drinker and I did not feel any pressure at all from anyone to drink. During the wine tasting tour, I watched and listened. I enjoyed the presentation and when it came time to taste, I just said no thank you. There was a lot of wine served at our meals, but there was also water as well. I never felt the need to order a different drink since the ‘star’ of the show was the food. Enjoy! It’s an amazing trip!

Posted by
1792 posts

As previously mentioned non alcoholic beverages are available so do tell your guide that you’re a non drinker.

I can think of at least 3 tours I’ve taken where the winery visit was also a lunch stop and a pretty substantial meal was served. (Village Italy, Sicily and Eastern France). Looking back on them I would not have wanted to miss any of them even without the wine. So if you decide to opt out do check to see if there’s more than just wine.

Posted by
467 posts

On the BOE14 tour two years ago my teens were with us & did not drink. There were also people on the tour that did not drink. Our guide always made sure there was something for them. Just tell them at the start. It is not a big deal.