Vegetarian Travel – Tips and Best Practices

Taking a vacation as a vegetarian can be difficult, however, it doesn’t have to completely limit your travels. If you are heading to a different country and are concerned about how you will fare with the food, here are some tips and how to’s for vegetarian travelers.

Request a Refrigerator

If you plan to book a hotel room, ask when making a reservation to see if a small refrigerator can be delivered to your room upon check in.  Hotels that cater to business travelers are often the best choice as they typically have a number of them on hand. Having a refrigerator can make it easier for vegetarians as you can source your favorite snacks and ideal foods from the local grocery stores, rather than depending solely on restaurants and local take-out.

Opt for a Kitchen

If you are debating on renting an apartment or staying in a hotel, opt for an apartment with the full kitchen. Having a kitchen means you can cook your own meals at home and can ensure there are no issues if you are overly concerned about the country you are visiting. And, for those who love to cook, it’s also a great way to experiment with local ingredients and practice some local specialties.  

Locate the Natural Food Stores

Aside from the obvious advantages like a better selection of healthy and vegetarian foods, employees at the natural food stores may be a wealth of information on local vegetarian restaurants located nearby.

Online Resources

Not surprisingly, there are a number of helpful websites and blogs that can be key resources for vegetarian travelers. Happy Cow is an essential online tool for seeking out vegetarian restaurants on your travels. Founded back in 1999, Happy Cow is one of the best websites for international searches. Regions covered include Canada, parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Bangkok, Brazil, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Taipei and more.

Check out Vegetarianguides.co.uk for a number of vegetarian guides for parts of Europe and the US. Be sure to check out the Vegan Passport – a guide that contains a page with 74 local-language translations you can show your waiter that explains what vegans eat, allowing you to enjoy a comfortable meal out, no matter what country you are in. 

Avoid Certain Destinations

While the idea of challenging yourself to find food in food-centric cities and countries excites many, others may prefer to avoid the added anxiety. If you are heading to meat-centric spots like Argentina or Brazil, dairy havens like France, or Iceland, a country where animal by-products are an integral part of the cuisine, you may be up for a heftier challenge. While it’s definitely not a personal recommendation to skip these spots, some vegetarian travelers opt to pick less potentially stressful destinations.

Be Flexible

The concepts of vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and the like are commonplace in the United States, but remember that many other countries may not be up on the lingo. Sometimes, it’s easier to explain you only eat vegetables versus asking what vegetarian menu items a restaurant has.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.