Gluten Free holiday tips please?

[Terryjf]

Diagnosed in Jan13, following years of uncertainty. Family want a holiday abroad. I am nervous. Can I get some specific recommendations plz?

[Eggardon]

Spain is pretty good on gluten free - sin gluten - is the key.

Finland for almost total understanding!

[coyb]

Our daughter is a coeliac and we have found that self catering suits us better. I do pack cereal and some Juvela bread (the only one she likes!). Also I tend to pack some GF pasta and pizza bases just in case we struggle to find them where we are staying.

We did manage over a week Marrakesh last summer. Our riad had its own cook and she adapted meals so that Millie could eat them. We did eat a few portions of chips but her food was the tastiest ever so we did not mind! We also took an arabic coeliac card and that was enough for wherever we ate. Luckily Millie is not too fussy and will just go with the flow.

We want Millie to grow up experiencing travel, eating out etc so with careful planning anywhere is possible!

[Chester31]

My son is just about to go on a Spanish exchange. From everything we've read Spain is a great country to visit if you're coeliac. Will let you know how it goes.

[Jenniep85]

Italy is brilliant for Gluten free, especially Rome. Most restaurants know about Gluten Free as they regularly test their children for Coeliac Disease. If you look around on the internet you can get food cards to take with you in different languages that explain what you cant eat which you can just hand over to overcome any language issues.

[Hidden]

Canary island are great I'm there now and the Eurospar has an excellent range of gluten free... Not had any problems when ordering food, they have no problem with sin gluten....

Janie.....

[Terryjf in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Thanks for the response. It's certainly a difficult one. I just need a hotel in a hot country that I can be sure will respect my intolerances. I am particularly looking at Tunisia, Turkey and Agadir. Syria might be a cheap option.......

[KarenBC]

I live in France and it is definately harder than in Spain or Italy however GF products can be found easily. With my job i have had to travel alot and Spain and Italy are definately coeliac friendly. Restaurants in France are more complicated but can be found.

I agree though that we generally go self catering and it just takes the stress out of things. Both me and my daughter are coeliac but I also have dairy intolerance and management is easier.

good luck

[Terryjf in reply to KarenBC]

Hey Karen. Many thanks for the response. I was thinking of self catering as it sort of removes the risk, but, it's gotta be all-inclusive for us!!

[tmoxon]

Hi we have been to Makadi Palace Hurgarda Egypt the last two years running, the first year the head chef was German and very good, last year the head chef was Scottish.

On both occasions the chefs were really helpful, but this last year was easier due to Colin (the chef ) speaking the same language. We had a meeting when we arrived and he offered to make every meal personally so that there wasn't any risk of contamination, I met him everyday during the holiday and he couldn't do enough.

The hotel has many restaurants and I ate in most of them, if the head chefs aren't overseeing that particular restaurant they would ring and speak to the manager to make sure that they knew I would be dining there that night. The Italian restaurant manager was very aware of cross contamination and although I had taken a pizza base with me wasn't happy to cook it as he said that there was a lot of flour in the pizza cooking area, he did make me a special chicken breast and ensured it was cooked and prepared away from the pizzas.

I took Glutafin long life rolls and they were nice to have with soups or for breakfast, they had some gluten free bread in the hotel but it wasn't as nice as the bread I had taken.

I don't know whether Colin is still there but have his personal email address if you do decide that would be interested in staying at the hotel. If you need any further information about anything please let me know. Wherever you choose hope you have a good time.

[Buffyg in reply to tmoxon]

Hi I am thinking of going to this hotel, would you mind sending me the contact details of the chef? Thanks claire

[tmoxon in reply to Buffyg]

Hi Claire I have just sent you a private message with Chef Colin's email address on. I hope you have a lovely time, we were absolutely blown away when we arrived at the hotel the first time we went as it looks beautiful with all of the lights in and around the garden on an evening. There are several restaurants to eat in, we liked the Botanical and the Thai best. What they did for us is waive the restriction on the restaurants so I didn't book them in reception myself, the head chef ( Colin) did this and ensured that the restaurant knew what I couldn't eat, and whereas the restaurants may be full they always let us chose that day and pushed us in.

Write to the hotel before you go as they did give us a better room, I am assuming this was because I explained what my condition was and the fact it restricted us from using all of the facilities for instance the burger place which is open all day hasn't anything we would be able to eat ( check that though in case its changed). The manager we dealt with was Adel Abd El hameed so maybe address the email to him, if you don't get a response make sure you send it again as the last time we wrote to him he hadn't received the email. If there is anything else you need to know please get back in touch.

Hope you have a lovely time, all of the workers are pleasant and even the gardeners say hello as you walk past, the other thing I also noticed which differed from our other Egyptian holiday is that the people at this hotel treated the male and female guests the same, where we had stayed before they did seem to fuss over my husband more, this hotel was more European in that respect in my opinion.

[Buffyg in reply to tmoxon]

Thanks for your response I really appreciate it!

[FionaGFG Administrator]

As you have posted under blogs and questions on the same topic we've moved your posts and replies here so that the content is all in one place for other readers:

"Gluten free all inclusive holidays to 'hot' countries."

Posted by Terryjf 3 days ago24 comments Edit | Delete

Hi to all fellow members.

I was diagnosed as 'C' in Jan13. I know u will know my world of food changed. I am struggling and trying to meet this challenge which, as I'm sure fellow G intolerant friends will appreciate, is a toughie. However, life must move on. So, to holidays. I really want to know where I can risk going to that really will cater for a coeliac. The musts are as follows:

1. All inclusive

2. Hot, really quite hot.....so, not, Devon or Scotland.

3. Specific hotels in specific locations.i.e hotel Fanatastic in Fantasia in Africa.....

4. How did a fellow Coeliac arrange this holiday?

5. Who did this get arranged with? I.e. Thompson, First Choice etc...

6. Please recommend.....

Really appreciate some advice/assistance as need to sort out holiday soonest. Many thanks. T

Leave a comment See 24 comments

24 comments

mrsweasley 2 days agoEdit | Delete

The grand palladium in Riviera Maya, Mexico was wonderdul for gluten free. They give ypu a card to show at the all inclusive restaurants who will help you choose what to jave off the nptnal menu or give you the option of gf pizza, pasta, etc. Would highly recommend. We booked though first choice.

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Terryjf 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Thank you for taking time out to write.

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EMcd 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Malta is fantastic but Trip advisor is useful for holiday decisions just search gluten free and country of choice

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Terryjf 2 days agoEdit | Delete

I was aware that TA offers such advice. I will look at Malta, thank you.

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Tim2012 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Great question. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and quite literally haven't had the 'guts' to risk a holiday abroad. Ideas in Europe please as will only be able to get away for a week.

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irish 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Czech Republic had fantastic gluten free options when eating out,check out Czech coeliac website,lots of choices in the health shops more than in Uk

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Terryjf 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Thanks Irish.

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Penel 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Spain is good for gluten free restaurant and supermarkets.

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Terryjf 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Gosh, I remember the teen hols I used to have in Spain with my mates. I'll look, but I hope they don't remember me! Eeek!

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Terryjf 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Happy hunting Tim. I will post if I find something suitable

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Pippa91060 2 days agoEdit | Delete

tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel...

My daughter and I stayed at this hotel last year and we had a fantastic time owing to the fact that they were so helpful regarding her g/f requirements. One of the waitresses was also coeliac and would walk around with us every mealtime showing us what could and could not be eaten. They also supply g/f cereal and bread direct from the kitchen on request.

This year we are giving Egypt a go and my daughter has emailed the hotel in advance and we have had a very positive response from them so I recommend that you email any potential hotel in advance and forewarn them of your requirements.

Good luck and happy holidaying!

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katethebake 2 days agoEdit | Delete

I was reading this waiting for answers, then realised I can probably contribute.

I did an all-inclusive last autumn to Coral Bay in Cyprus. All the catering was buffet-style and to be honest the food, especially breakfast/lunch, was repetitive and bland. However, because it was buffet style, there were always 30-odd dishes to choose from.

I took some gf bread and crackers, but there was always rice and various potato options to provide carbs. Except for the russian salad, the rest of the salads and prepared ingredients were all served without dressing with bottles of olive oil, lemon juice, white wine or red wine vinegar, to make your own dressing. There were usually braised meats and fish, cold meats, cheeses, hard boiled eggs and olives. There was fresh fruit, ice cream, yoghurts for desserts. Obviously you had to pick and choose especially over the desserts but I was able to eat at the hotel every day (and am not able to eat nightshades either, so I am more restricted than just cd). I avoided anything with creamy sauces to be on the safe side.

I didn't go hungry but I got a bit bored by repetition. I was grateful that I did not pay full price for the holiday as value for money is much reduced when you can't enjoy half the foods. Having spoken to staff on the first night, I decided to take control of my own menu choices. It was a big hotel, the staff were working different positions each night and the lack of consistency would, I think, have made it difficult to guarantee a special menu to be safe. I think the maitre d' at the evening restaurant would probably have worked hard to ensure safe food - for a big enough tip. If there had been a rep at the hotel on the 1st day of the holiday, I would have got their help to liase with the kitchen but I didn't see the rep till the 3rd day and by then I had figured it out for myself.

The hotel was the Ascos Coral Beach, listed at 4 star, but probably 3. I don't think I would recommend at full price, but if you get an off season all inclusive for under £350 then it is ok.

After all that, I have taken the approach that all inclusive is probably safe as long as you have buffet-style service. Take you own carbs and be pragmatic about what you are going to eat. I love food, and different eating experiences, but adapted a food-as-fuel approach to this holiday in order not to be disappointed. For a food-based holiday I would suggest mainland Spain (lots of gf foods in supermarkets, tapas etc) if you want to travel out of Europe.

Hope you are still awake (!) and have a lovely holiday. Do tell us your experience afterwards.

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Terryjf 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Hey Katethebake. Thank you so ugh, really glad you replied. Sharing our experiences is really the only way we can help each other to feel more included. A family holiday is important and enjoying the food and culture of the food is a big part of the experience. I will report back....Terry

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chrisash 2 days agoEdit | Delete

hi we go to the cala bona hotel in majorca with thomsons the owners grandson is a coeliac (we had been going for years before & just picking the salads) so now you have your own coeliac toaster & bread meats jams marmalade for breakfast even g/f sausages, you can ordere your evening meal at breakfast (they have a good choice ) & then take your order slip in give it to your waiter & they cook it fresh for you, they even have g/f beer so no need to miss out. they are really helpfull & nothing is too much trouble.

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Terryjf 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Hey. I put the Cala Bona hotel into search and it came up with holidays to the area called cala bona. Is there a more specific name for the actual hotel as it sounds great.

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katethebake 2 days agoEdit | Delete

calabonahotel.com/

it does come up on thomson too.

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mrsweasley 2 days agoEdit | Delete

My Trip Advisor review for more details:

I agree with what the majority of reviews have said on here about how fantastic the location, pools, beaches, etc are. I am surprised that some people did not find the service to be anything other than fantastic, as we felt it was the perfect balance of attentive, without feeling intrusive. Our maid (Esther) was wonderful, and we noticed over the week, how she was tuning to how we did things and cleaning accordingly. She even put Diet Pepsi instead of Pepsi in the mini bar after i left a note (the soft drinks are WAY sweeter than in the UK). The staff in the Mexican a la carte restaurant were exceptional, and this was mentioned by a few of the other guest in our party.

The spa is absolutely fantastic - we went there three times during the week. The setting is beautiful (infinity pool/large open air jazzuzi), there are very comfy sunbeds around the pool, and it is generally pretty quiet. There is a steam room and a sauna, which make for a very relaxing morning, or end to the day.

Now, to the bit that really blew me away. I am a coeliac, and this was my first holiday since being diagnosed. I was a bit nervous about how I would cope with finding suitable gluten free things to eat, but I needn't have worried at all. On check in, I was met by the catering manager who give me a card to present at restaurants before I ate. He also gave me his business card, should I need to contact him at any point during my stay. I was also told I could prebook at any of the a la carte (bonus!) where normally you would have to turn up and wait. As we arrived lateish on the Friday, our group decided to go to the buffet, so we could all sit together. I usually avoid buffets at home, so was a bit nervous. However, the chef came out and took me around the entire buffet, pointing out the dishes which I could and couldn't have. There was a lot of choice for me, which was wonderful, so I was able to try lots of different things.

At breakfast the next day, I presented my card and one of the head waiters told me what was available. They had cornbread, cinnamon and raisin bread and cereals. I tried both breads, which were brought to my table. I was just finishing when they brought me out some cookies and hot cakes too! A feast!

I didn't have the specific GF breakfasts everyday. There is also lots of fruit, cheese, yogurt and freshly made omlettes (which are beautiful!) which I could have too. The White Sands buffet offered different options (white bread, muffins and cereals), so I tried all these too. I didn't expect such a huge variety.

Onto the a la cartes. We were keen to try as many of the a la cartes as possible during our week and went to the steakhouse, the mexican, the brazilian, the mediterranean, the italian and the japanese. Our favourites were the mexican, the brazilian (oh my god...amazing...make sure to go) and the mediterranean. In each of the restaurants, I was offered a gluten free menu, which had meat, pasta, pizzas, but in all cases I asked to order from the normal menus and the waiters helped me decide what to have. I was over the moon to find out the tortilla chips were made from corn and not wheat, which sorted out my lunches for the week (nachos, nachos and more nachos!). The most awkward was probably the japanese. We went for the teppayaki show table and everything was made with soy sauce which contains gluten. The waiter was happy to let me order from the normal menu, and I had some specially made sushi and a wonderful steak (even better than the steakhouse!).

The a la cartes all have buffet style starters (lovely salads, cheeses, etc), so we often didn't make it to pudding as we were too full, but I did have a gluten free brownie and a creme brule. As a lot of the deserts are egg based, many are suitable anyway.

All in all it made my holiday so easy, as I didn't have to worry about getting sick at any point. I was other hotels and restaurants had such a well-organised system of dealing with special diets, as my life would be pretty much hassle free!

The one tiny grumble I have is that they didn't have any cider, and as I can't have beer (it contains gluten), I was limited to cocktails (oh no...haha)

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Henbur 2 days agoEdit | Delete

I have been to the sensatori in Crete (its a Thomson and its full board plus which basically means drinks with meals only but you can upgrade to ai for a small supplement when you get there). It was very good as soon as we mentioned GF thomson emailed (so did i) and when we arrived we were introduced to the chef who personally took us around the buffet telling us what we could eat, he introduced us to his team of chefs, every time we entered the dining room they were there to identify what we could and couldn't eat. They had access to gluten free pastas etc. and were happy to make fresh breads and pizzas etc. The chefs would also cook to request if we gave them a days notice we just told them what us and the kids liked to eat and we got it. Was very impressed went the following year. This year we are going to firs choice family village in kos which is ai, again Thomson have emailed as have I got a rely saying we should make urselves known on arrival and they will introduce us to the chef. All first choice hold are ai and we were told by Thomson rep that all their hotels are now ver allergy and food intolerance friendly!

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hillie46 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Hi - I've done quite a few reviews on tripadvisor for all inclusive hotels. You can see what I've written here tripadvisor.co.uk/membe... - hope that they help. I have found Egypt to be extremely good for AI hotels and gluten free food

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Terryjf 8 hours agoEdit | Delete

Thank you. Great list.

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roscoe 2 days agoEdit | Delete

Hi all. Just a question. How do you cope with buffet style meals. Are they all gluten free, and if not what about contamination of one meal to the other?

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tmoxon yesterdayEdit | Delete

Hi Roscoe

I have only been diagnosed a couple of years but when I go AI the chef comes out and takes me around all of the dishes and advises what I can and cannot have. Its usually the desserts that are out of bounds I have found. Not a bad choice for the savoury foods usually. I haven't had any bad experiences in doing this.

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Henbur yesterdayEdit | Delete

With the Thomson resorts you talk directly to the head chef, if you are worried about cross contamination then they would make all your food to order you wold need to work together you giving ideas a day ahead advising where and when eating etc. but it's always worked for us!

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Jacquir0311 15 hours agoEdit | Delete

Cruising is a great way to go if you are GF most can do it but some are better than others. I have eaten GF on loads of different lines and when you cruise obviously you can visit lots of places around the world including 'hot' places.

Most ships have GF bread, soups, sauces and even desserts and afternoon tea I have just come off a brand new one and as they used corn flour most of the menu was GF, they had a selection of bread at each meal

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[Terryjf in reply to FionaGFG]

Thank you. Our family is made up of 2 cruisers and 2 non cruisers....kids!! Won't be long and we can get away on OUR first cruise. I was aware they were good at this stuff. You have supported that view....thanks...

[urbangirl]

In the last six weeks we have been to Albania and America. Albania was pretty good for gluten free food. I had lots of grilled vegetables and meat or fish. I didn't really have any puddings which I think had gluten in except one day I had some yoghurt, walnuts and honey. The problem for me was breakfast as I can't eat gluten free products, eggs, cheese or bacon so took rice cakes and peanut butter! However, in Albania some of the hotels did splendid spreads for breakfast so fortunately I didn't have to eat the rice cakes every day. In fact I did try the bacon and cheese for breakfast and it did not affect me at all. I am sorry that I do not know about gluten free products in Albania - because I don't eat them I didn't look for them. I just ate meat, vegetables and fruit which was absolutely fine. The flight did not provide special diets but as it was quite short it was not too much of a problem and I had brought something to eat.

I was surprised at how difficult I found eating in the USA. We stayed in a hotel and found a place to purchase some fruit salad which made breakfast okay. There was a wide variety of choice for people who do not have a restricted diet at the buffet. However, some of the salads at the buffet had croutons and other stuff that I couldn't eat. Lots of pasta dishes and pizza (not gluten free) and a superb Asian choice. Many dishes had extra things with gluten added so I stuck to very plain food that was on offer eg meat, fish and grilled meat with salad made up of grated carrot, tomatoes etc. But there were some absolutely delicious puddings available at the buffet! Ice cream, creme brulee and another lemon dish! Yum yum!! In one restaurant I ordered steak and aubergine stuff but couldn't have the aubergine mixture as it contained gluten. The staff were actually brilliant because although they didn't tell me about it containing gluten they concocted a special side dish for me instead.

The 10 hour flight was a nightmare as the gluten free special meal was made up of gluten free products that I could not eat. I had not taken anything as a back up either. Fortunately the supervisor found me a fruit platter. She advised me that I should have ordered a special diet. When we booked our flight this selecting a special diet was not an option - I think you have to telephone to order this. I have not found out how to do this yet. She ordered a special diet for me on the flight home but it was not there. The cabin crew were brilliant and got me some nice food from somewhere! I also had two packets of crisps and a banana just in case!

Being gluten free is relatively new to me (since last November/December) and travelling was a bit daunting. We had already booked to go to Albania. Because I don't eat gluten free products I don't expect much anyway. I was glad I went away. I got a bit hungry at times. I was silly not to take contingency supplies. For me the main difference eating abroad to eating at home is that we make sauces and gravy gluten free which makes meat and vegetables more exciting. We returned home yesterday from the USA and looking forward to dinner tonight!

[Tim2012]

Thank you Katethebake for your recommendation for Cala Bona, I'm now off there next month. I asked them myself about GF and this is their response...

"We do cater for guests with this problem. We have a special corner for guests with special dietary needs, a toaster only for coeliacs use, special utensils, bread, cereal etc etc and we have for the evening meal a coeliac menu that can be chosen each day and is cooked seperately. There should be no problem at all".

Thanks again, Tim

[Mango1]

We have just returned from Hotel Gran Camp de Mar in Majorca which is 4*. Not the best hotel we have stayed in, small rooms and nothing fancy, but they really do try and accommodate people with allergies. This was our 2nd visit and it did not disappoint. All Inclusive and one of First Choice holidays. Lovely staff and a very clean hotel and more to the point, did not feel ill once with a food reaction, either to lactose or gluten in food I had selected. The head waiter will always walk around the buffet with you and make suggestions. Food continuously being cooked in front of you, so no tepid food, and they always check that the utensils for serving are being used properly.

Not a typical english hotel, all nationalities, that seem to rotate all the time. All age ranges and kids from teenagers to babies. Happy and healthy holidays!

[Janet-Haslam]

I have never had a problem eating gluten free abroad including Spain, Caribbean, Africa, Mexico and the Canaries. In most hotels and cruises, meeting with either the maitre de or head chef will ensure you eat safely. Think the coeliac cards are a good idea and also emailing ahead to your accommodation to advise of your dietary needs. We have just returned from Lanzarote where we were all inclusive and had no issues and had the best GF bread rolls I have ever had. Happy holidays

[Terryjf in reply to Janet-Haslam]

Many thanks. I am getting more confident by the day...!!

[janeelibaless]

We've just returned from majorca on a self catering holiday. The Eroski supermarkets are brilliant. They have really clear allergy information on their own brand products on the front of all the packets. And they had gluten free baguettes in the freezer (fully baked, just needed defrosting).

[Venetia]

Coeliac UK magazine often has ads for places abroad that do gluten free catering. but I have only gone to UK ones and they have been good

[Bluebell234]

Don't go to Egypt. Had a terrible holiday there, almost lived on boiled eggs and chips. A cruise is the best bet. I have had some wonderful holidays. I am given the menu the night before and chose my meals, which are gluten free. Have. It yet had a bad experience on a cruise (fingers crossed) and I've done about ten.

Tunisia isn't very good either but, surprisingly, Italy caters well for coeliacs. My hotel had gf bread, crackers and cereals. Most restaurants also had gf pasta amd pizzas.