Traveling While Vegan

Anyone else daydreaming about their next vacation?? A warm beach and the sound of the ocean is consuming my thoughts on these cold and rainy Oklahoma days.

I absolutely love to travel. There’s something about being pushed beyond my comfort zone and experiencing new cultures that I thrive on. I always come back home feeling like I can take on the world. But traveling isn’t always easy. Booking flights and being in an unknown country can be tricky, especially as a vegan. Throw in jet lag and a foreign language and you’ve got a recipe for disaster, hah! However, there’s no need to panic, ever, because it can be done and it’s certainly getting easier. 

Here are a few tips that have helped me along the way. 

1.    Research

When traveling to a new city or country, take a little time to research what people tend to eat there. You might find that some local dishes are already plant-based or you’ll learn what modifications you should make. I like to make a little note on my phone so that I don’t have to worry about forgetting once I land.

2.    Find a fail-safe

Find at least one vegan restaurant to visit while you are traveling and go there early in your trip. This will help you feel like you have a home base to start with and you can always go back if you can’t find other options. While you are there ask the staff where they eat and shop. The locals will know all the best spots and you’ll make some new friends!

3.    Let the airline know

Booking my flight is often the most stressful part of planning my vacations. Try not to get caught up in departure and arrivals times all while forgetting to let your airline know of your meal request. Most airlines have an option to request a vegan and/or gluten free meal when you book. If not, call the airline and request with them as far out from your departure as possible.

4.    Pack snacks

You might plan everything out perfectly and then you get on your first flight and learn that they didn’t provide the meal you requested months in advance. It happens! When things go awry, I like to pull out my magic snack bag! In a pinch, you can always grab a granola bar for breakfast or a piece of whole fruit to get you to the next stop. 

5.    Learn the language

Okay, not the whole language, but a few words will be super helpful! When traveling abroad it is always good to try to learn at least a few words of the native language. I have added the word “vegan” to my list of words I like to know when traveling. I always feel a little better when I can communicate with my server at a restaurant.

Google Translate is a great method for communicating if you have internet access. You can even use the app to take photos of menus and have them translated.

The Vegan Passport is great when you don’t have internet access. This little book costs around $10 and has helpful vegan phrases you can use along your travels. It’s available as a download too so you don’t have to take up that precious space in your carry on.

6.    Use apps

Technology has made both traveling and traveling while vegan so much easier! Happy Cow is a great app that you can use to find local vegan-friendly restaurants. Yelp and TripAdvisor are good ones too, but Happy Cow typically has some hidden gems :)

All in all, traveling while vegan has gotten so much easier in the past few years. You can find vegan restaurants pretty much everywhere. Some cities like NYC, Austin, Toronto, and London have even become vegan hubs. People tend to be more open-minded when it comes to different dietary preferences too. You don’t have to skimp on experience when avoiding animal products.

So, Happy Healthy Travels!

 xo,

Aley

Photo 1: Street corning in Athens, Greece

Photo 2: My favorite meal I’ve ever had curry at Betelnut Café Canguu, Bali

Photo 3: Enjoying an impromptu vegan meal at a Michelin starred restaurant in Nice, France after making friends with the owner they agreed to make us a vegan dinner

Photo 4: Heading somewhere via Toronto Pearson International Airport

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