The perfect gluten-free vacation are those where everyone can enjoy food without risk. The key is inclusion: no one should be left out and no one should miss out on trying new dishes, as gastronomy is also part of travel. For this reason, adapting stays to travelers, taking into account their specific health needs (or ethical needs, as in the case of vegetarians and vegans) has gone from being considered an anecdotal gesture to shaping a new way of understanding tourism, one that is much more conscious and much more diverse.
If you yourself are following a gluten-free diet, or you are traveling with someone who is, and you do not want to miss any of the typical cuisine of the places you visit, following some basic guidelines will help you and your companions to do it with much more peace of mind. In this guide you will find some practical information, from recommendations for choosing a destination and hotel, to tips for the whole family, including children. Ready to embark on the best gluten-free vacation of your life?
How to choose the best gluten-free destination for your vacation
The more gluten-free options, the better
The place matters. So, when choosing a destination, it is advisable to look at the gluten-free food options available in each location. Keep in mind that some culinary traditions will offer more variety than others. The good news is that more and more restaurants around the world are adapting to the special requirements of people with celiac disease.
Currently, one of the best destinations for a gluten-free vacation in Spain are the Canary Islands. In Tenerife, Fuerteventura or Lanzarote you will find many typical gluten-free recipes. For example: corn (also known as millo among the local population), a basic ingredient of Canarian cusine, is used to prepare dishes as representative of its gastronomy as escaldón de gofio or arepas. Its stews based on fresh fish, meats, legumes and vegetables, such as watercress stew or sancocho, and papas arrugás with mojo picón or green mojo, which can never be missing in a Canarian meal, are also gluten-free.
Gluten-free friendly restaurants (and hotels)
When looking for accommodation, it we recommend you opt for hotels with safe catering facilities, and that you book in advance at nearby restaurants that have implemented all the necessary preventive measures to avoid possible cross-contamination. In this regard, communication is everything. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The safety of all diners is also part of a responsible foodie philosophy that looks after the well-being of both people and the planet. An idea? Before going on vacation, you can check the official websites of the celiac associations of the place you are going to. The website of the Spanish Federation of Coeliac Associations (FACE) has a number of useful tools, including a travel brief, translated into more than 25 languages, explaining that you have coeliac disease and detailing the guidelines to follow.
In excellent gluten-free friendly destinations in the Caribbean like Mexico, with a rich and diverse culinary culture that emphasizes local products such as exotic fruits and tropical vegetables, ancestral grains like corn or rice in all their varieties and chiles, the star ingredient of mole and other recipes, the universe of possibilities expands. By the way: 100% of the fish and seafood served in the restaurants of Iberostar hotels in Mexico come from responsible fishing sources, so that in addition to contributing to your health, you also contribute to the health of the environment. Aruba is another Caribbean paradise known for its great gluten-free offer. Very soon, a new five-star hotel will open its doors on this exclusive island. Its high quality cuisine will be adapted to all guests.
What to consider when booking a gluten-free friendly hotel
At the hotel
Traveling with people who follow a gluten-free diet does not have to be complicated. On the contrary, it can be an adventure for the palate, as well as an excellent opportunity to discover new places through food. For this, it is essential to have the guarantee that, during the food handling and preparation process, all the relevant safety protocols are followed. Any tips to apply inside the hotel? At the time of booking, find out about the gluten-free options available to you. It is also a good idea to inform the staff at check-in about your condition: Iberostar's chefs will be happy to offer you alternatives both within the menus of its themed restaurants and buffets and personalized and outside them.
Without leaving the Caribbean, Dominican cuisine is also full of gluten-free recipes, such as locrio, prepared with fresh fish, meat or vegetables and rice; the hearty mangú with Los Tres Golpes, eaten at breakfast and lunchtime, which combines a creamy plantain puree with fried egg, salami and cheese; or its famous bandera dominicana, with boiled white rice, beans and various local meats. At Iberostar hotels in the Dominican Republic, the best of local cuisine is combined with a wide range of international dishes; ask about gluten-free options upon arrival!
Outside the hotel
During a gluten-free vacation, you should not lose sight of the foodie offer in the area around the hotel. Not all restaurants are suitable, but you can find those that are and gain peace of mind. From the Society of European Coeliac Associations (AOECS), the Eating-out project has established minimum criteria for establishments to be considered gluten-free. Traveling with people who follow a gluten-free diet to major cities around the world, and not only in Europe, is almost always a guarantee of success.
Some examples to inspire you: from Iberostar Selection Lisbon, located in the business district and close to Avenida da Liberdade, you will have the possibility of entering the most Bohemian part of the city, full of typical restaurants where you will be delighted with the best of Portuguese gastronomy. And, if you prefer to eat at the accommodation, the Luz restaurant and the rest of its gastro spaces will also give you the opportunity to approach the culinary culture of Portugal with guarantees. In Madrid you can also savor the hotel's selection of dishes, as well as go out to eat and try all kinds of suitable recipes thanks to the growing gluten-free repertoire of the nearby neighborhoods of Malasaña, Salamanca or Chamberí. By consulting the Eating-out list, you will do so with all the safety measures.
On the American continent, at Iberostar Selection Miraflores, located in the heart of Lima and facing the seafront, you will enjoy exceptional views of the Pacific Ocean while immersing yourself in the most authentic Peruvian gastronomic tradition thanks to its restaurants Ortega & Huamán and 27 Tapas, which fuse this cuisine with Mediterranean cuisine under the expertise of the prestigious chef Carlos Testino. Don't miss its lettuce taco, its Amazonian rice or its fresh ceviche! Talk to the hotel teams to express your needs and tastes.
Tips for a gluten-free vacation with children
Going on vacation with children who need to follow a gluten-free diet will be much easier (and more fun) with proper planning. In addition to choosing the destination and accommodation with the whole family in mind, as well as making reservations in advance at restaurants that offer safe and tasty alternatives to wheat, barley and rye, special emphasis should be placed on informing the staff of the establishments about the condition of the youngest members of the family. Travel, excursions and leisure activities should be well organized, especially if they involve eating outside the hotel in a foreign country or continent.
On the other hand, it is recommended to include some emergency snacks in the children’s luggage, such as healthy cookies and chocolates, fruit, nuts, salty snacks and even gluten-free bread to make them a sandwich. There are also many items available today that make life easier for people with celiac disease, such as anti-cross-contamination toaster bags that prevent gluten-free bread from coming into contact with other foods. Likewise, preparing a basic first-aid kit before leaving home with some suitable medicines to have on hand at all times will avoid possible misunderstandings in the event of having to go to the pharmacy.
It is even more important for children with celiac disease to carry the Celiac-Card in the language of the country to which they are traveling. Finally, helping young children to understand that, although they have specific needs that should not be ignored, they can eat a variety of food away from home and be surprised by trying new dishes will help them to travel with a more open and relaxed attitude towards food. If you follow these simple tips for a gluten-free vacation, both kids and adults will have a great time and will be able to live in harmony with non-coeliacs around the same table.
