Both by choice and because of medications that I take, I do not drink alcohol.
In EVERY travel show I see, from Samantha Brown to Rick Steves and everything in between, I see scenes in pubs, biergartens, and restaurants where %26quot;everyone%26quot; is drinking either beer or wine. I have never seen a soft drink in anyone%26#39;s hand or on their table.
What does someone in my position do? Are there in fact soft drinks available? What about coffee or tea?
My experience in New Zeland was that a large pitcher of beer was cheaper than a six ounce coke. If coke IS available is there a similar price disparity?
I will be traveling in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. I%26#39;m interested in the situation in each country.
Thanks.
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to be honest...I can%26#39;t take your question serious......
are you saying that you believe that non-alcoholic drinks are hard to find over here? maybe you even think that tab water in your hotel room is beer and you have to ask for special hotel room with non-alcohlic tab water?
about the price: yes, drinks are more expensive than fuel in tampa...
hey, it%26#39;s new year morning and I am just wondering what in fact is your question/problem? if there is any:)))
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Hi, Carl,
don%26#39;t be afraid, here in Germany are people who are non-drinkers too.
You%26#39;ll get in any restaurant or pub, where ever, even in night clubs, non-alcoholic drinks and coffee, mostly also tea. The prices are different, table water is often expensive, but coke and other drinks normally are cheaper than beer.
It%26#39;s almost the same in Italy, for the Switzerland I don%26#39;t know, but I guess there will not be a big difference even thought the prices in Switzerland are generally higher.
I wish you a nice stay in Europe.
Ivy
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In any European country you can get pop, coffee, or tea, so don%26#39;t worry.
The table water served in Germany is carbonated with bubbles/fizzy, I really didn%26#39;t care for it. If you ask for water when at a restaurant, they will bring you carbonated water in a bottle. You can ask for %26quot;stilles wasser%26quot;/flat water, no fizz/bubbles, but you will pay for the bottle.
You can try to ask for %26quot;leitungswasser%26quot;, tap water, they may or maynot give it to you %26#39;cause it%26#39;s free.
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Carl, did you honestly think you would not get non-alcoholic drinks in Germany or any other countries in Europe you might visit? Obviously travel shows love to show people enjoying themselves with some drink, they%26#39;re just shows...! Come over to Europe and enjoy yourself with water, orange juice, tomato juice... the choice of non-alcoholic drinks is endless! Happy new year and have a great time on your trip!
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When in Italy, try LemonSoda... a very refreshing lemonade, very sour.
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Well, to those of you who posted friendly, helpful posts - thank you. It%26#39;s always nice to hear from pleasant people.
To the sarcastic - your response speaks volumes about you.
Just for your edification I am not a newcomer to foreign travel, having traveled in North, Central and South America; Japan; China; Thailand; Australia %26amp; New Zealand; Iceland; Africa; and France - there are others, but you get the idea.
I was asking about specific situations which I have not experienced = beergardens and pubs. These are locations that are more directed towards %26quot;socialization%26quot; and %26quot;people watching%26quot; than restaurants which are primarily places to dine. They are also places that I have not visited in the past, being a non-drinker.
Thanks again to those who provided helpful responses.
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I have been to Germany 3 times in the last 18 months and everytime I can tell you that when in a group of Germans someone is the designated driver and does not drink..so you will be fine. They have a juice type drink with sparkling water in it that is tasty and very popular...I liked it better than soda but that will be very easy for you to get also. Have a great time!
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Don%26#39;t worry ! In Germany, restaurants, pubs, bars etc. must offer at least one non-alcoholic drink which must be cheaper than the cheapest alcoholic drink.
Enjoy your trip, MJ.-
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Come on Carl, no need to be offended. I%26#39;m sure the people posting didn%26#39;t want to insult you, but your question does sound a bit funny to a German.
Having been to a few destinations in the USA, I can assure you that drinking habits in our countries don%26#39;t differ a lot. Beer in Germany tends to be a bit stronger and is perhaps a bit more common as an everyday drink, teenagers are allowed to drink alcohol at the age of 16 and in public, but otherwise you will not find a lot of differences on the menue. Perhaps 1-2 soft drinks that are not known in the USA (usually the less sweet ones), and a few that are not available in Germany (e.g. Mountain Dew), but that%26#39;s it.
So don%26#39;t worry and enjoy your trip!
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Don%26#39;t take it personally but I had to smile a bit when reading your post. :-)
You will be able to get soft drinks, water (still or sparkling), coffee and tea in every cafe, bar, pub, restaurant.
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