“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Guest Introduction:
Welcome to Exploring the Seasons of Life: Travel Edition. I’m Cindy MacMillan, your host and the founder of Pangea World Travel Agency, a boutique agency located on the Space Coast of Florida.
I’m delighted to introduce a truly inspiring guest, Chrissy Gates, founder of Where is Chrissy Today? LLC, an affiliate of 1000 Mile Travel and Virtuoso Travel.
Chrissy has been part of the travel industry for over 18 years, but her most transformative journey began just a year and a half ago when she realized that alcohol was no longer serving her life or her joy. This shift opened a remarkable new chapter for Chrissy, both personally and professionally.
As someone who adores travel, Chrissy knew her adventures would look different—but no less fulfilling—without alcohol. She also recognized a need within the travel space: creating experiences for others who choose to travel alcohol-free in a world that often revolves around its consumption.
Here’s a glimpse of our conversation:
Welcome Chrissy. I have been looking forward to our conversation.
1:23 I just came back from the Mindful Drinking Fest. I went out to Washington, D. C. on Friday, and it went through till Sunday, January 10-12, 2025.
1:52 Attending the Mindful Drinking Fest as a travel advisor was a fascinating experience, especially considering the potential for incorporating some of these brands into properties and cruise lines.
3:15 What I like to tell people is that I’m not a prohibitionist—I don’t believe alcohol needs to be removed from bars or properties entirely. However, it’s essential to offer thoughtful options for people who don’t drink. These shouldn’t be limited to basic juice or soda, but instead, carefully curated adult beverages. These drinks should feel intentional and sophisticated, not something like a Shirley Temple, which is more suited for children.
7:27 There are mocktails I enjoy, but I prefer having someone else make them for me since I’m not a mixologist. In some of the places I’ve visited, they create incredible beverages, and it’s clear they’re crafted by professionals.
9:18 It’s about the experience and the ambiance—that’s what truly matters. Alcohol-free travel isn’t just about the beverages, though those are a wonderful bonus. It’s about fully immersing yourself in the moment, staying clear-minded, and truly appreciating your surroundings without losing the experience to overindulgence in alcohol.
23:00 One of the biggest misconceptions about not drinking is the idea that you won’t have any fun. People often wonder, How can you enjoy yourself without alcohol? The truth is, you absolutely can have fun without drinking.
You can find Chrissy Gates at:
Website | Instagram
Thank you so much for joining me on Exploring the Seasons of Life: Travel Edition. I’m Cindy MacMillan, and you can find me at PangeaWorldTravelAgency.com. If you enjoyed this episode—and I truly hope you did—be sure to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.
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Until next time, keep exploring, stay curious, and take care!