UPTOURIST

Michael Asimos is a wine expert and importer/exporter based out of Portland, Oregon. His primary job is to travel the world to discover the highest quality wines and then share his expertise with restaurants, bars, and other establishments interested in serving their clients the best. He handles the orders himself, making it much more convenient for businesses to use his services than try to research and purchase wines on their own.

Asimos enjoys traveling and jazz music when he’s not working, but you don’t need too much time off when you’re living your dream! (Check out this interview to see how Michael Asimos turned his passion into a career.) Asimos’ job gives him unique insight into how to consume alcohol while traveling, and he generously decided to share three of his best tips with us below!

Three Tips for Safely Drinking Alcohol While Traveling

1. Don’t Overconsume on The Plane

The first step here is to be mindful of TSA regulations. Security will not allow you to board the plane with a full bottle of wine, and many cost enough to be a shame to just throw away. Nearly every airport has some method of purchasing alcohol after you’re done with security, and you can order wine on most flights as well.

That last point leads into the next one: airlines want you to buy the alcohol they sell on the plane, not bring your own. It may seem a bit much, but airlines have thrown passengers off of the plane before takeoff from attempting to smuggle in their own booze.

Finally, it is usually best to reach your intended destination with a clear head. If you’re drunk while attempting to navigate an unfamiliar airport or hotel room, the situation could get ugly quickly.

2. Know the Local Laws and Customs On Drinking

Americans have set views when it comes to topics such as the legal drinking age and public intoxication, and residents of other countries do as well. Unfortunately, the two don’t always align. You are in their territory, meaning that you need to research and abide by their rules no matter how crazy they may seem to you.

For example, the legal drinking age can be anywhere between 16 and 25. There is no need to call out German teenagers for “underage drinking” when they’re not according to local law, nor do you need to take offense when a Puerto Rican bar cards you.

Likewise, each culture has its own views on public intoxication. Some think nothing of it, while others view alcohol as a treat reserved for special occasions only. The best way to discover the local customs is to ask a local. They’re much more reliable than Google, and you may even make a new friend!

3. Don’t Venture Out Alone

Foreign countries can be dangerous for travelers, especially if you’re thinking is compromised. The best way to protect yourself is to have a trusted friend along for the ride. It makes you a less appealing target, and you’ll probably have more fun to boot!

If you’re traveling alone, you might be able to befriend a local to meet the friend requirement. Either way, it’s also beneficial to learn a few keywords in the native language of wherever you are in case you run into trouble. Words like help and bathroom can be particularly important.

Finally, try to avoid carrying valuables with you. You’ll need some form of ID and payment method, but your wallet is best left in your hotel room. This mitigates how much you can lose in the worst-case scenario.

Get More Travel and Wine Tips From Michael

If you can, sit in an empty row when you #travel. It'll help you have a more pleasant flight. https://t.co/HSnUTC8C5s pic.twitter.com/F56ppjAmu5

— Mike Asimos (@mike_asimos) June 16, 2018

If you’re interested in discovering more about Asimos’ twin passions of wine and travel, you can connect with him on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter for all of his latest musings. You can also visit his personal blog, MichaelAsimos.com, for additional insights into his exciting industry.