Fun and Easy Travel Options for Gluten Free Travelers
If you have Celiac disease or another auto-immune disease, traveling can be hard - but it doesn't have to be strenuous! Doing a bit more planning ahead, along with taking easy-to-manage trips that I've listed in my blog, will make traveling less stressful and more exciting and give you the opportunity to learn how to travel gluten-free in baby steps!
You shouldn’t let your diet stop you from having a relaxing vacation - but you also want to go in fully prepared and having researched your options.
Book a Weekend Cruise
One of my favorite ways to travel gluten-free is on a cruise. Why? Because cruise lines are very service-oriented, and while I've spent more than three months total on cruise lines, I've never been sick or cross-contaminated while eating on a cruise!
The reason why cruising is one of the safest ways to travel gluten-free is that many cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity cruises, have a dedicated allergen kitchen where they cook food for people with food allergies or for those of us with Celiac disease, their kitchens are gluten-free! You don't have to go on a special gluten-free cruise to eat safe food when you have Celiac disease; you'll need to do your regular questions and protocol. You can also learn more about how to order food safely on a cruise in my chapter on cruising in The Guide to Traveling Gluten Free.
While one-week cruises are very popular, you can start off small by taking a three or four-day cruise. This is also a great option if you've never cruised and want to get a feel for cruising. In addition, many cruise lines offer short cruises around Florida and off the coast of California. So, if you've never seen California, cruising is a great way to get to explore the coastal cities of California.
Take a Day Trip or Weekend Campout to a National Forest or National Park
The National Forests and National Parks are amazing and beautiful places to visit! Did you know you can camp for free in almost all the National Forests? There are usually hikes for all different skill levels, so anyone can hike and enjoy the outdoors in the national forests and parks. Take a day trip to a National Park or National Forest, bring a picnic, and spend time with your family and friends outside.
Plan your trip ahead of time to a National Park by downloading a park PDF map by looking up a National Park on the National Park website here. The National Forest Service lists currently available activities inside the parks. Always check ahead of your trip as natural disasters such as flooding and landslides have removed access roads and camping spots inside some parks.
Camping Gluten Free
Camping is always a fun adventure, and I especially love having campfires and gluten free s'mores each night! Getting out and sleeping outside, enjoying your campfire, and camping food are one of the best ways to reconnect with the outdoors. Whether you're glamping or tent camping, this favorite outdoor American activity will be fun! Bring your food prepared beforehand, so you only have to heat and serve your safe, gluten-free meals. Call ahead to discover camping restrictions in private and publicly held camping facilities.
Scenic Car Rides with Your Family
Car rides used to be a special outing many decades ago as cars and roads became more common. Nowadays, while it seems like the only time we are in our cars is when we are rushing to a store or going to work, why not take a scenic car drive around where you live or a scenic area nearby where you are? If we don't take advantage of the beauty around us, we're missing out on the opportunity to find out what's around us, get fabulous pictures of natural and scenic beauty, and spend quality time with our partner, family, and friends. Find a scenic road or byway near you by visiting the Federal Highway Administration's Scenic Byways page here.
If you have a family, you may want to think about what options you have for spending time with them while still maintaining your food safety.
Family Fun Things to Do
When you're traveling, cooking may go by the wayside. If you like to cook and bake as I do, why not stay at a local VRBO or Airbnb and have fun cooking! Make sure to clean the kitchen pots and pans, and line BBQs and bakeware with aluminum foil to prevent cross-contamination. Instead of vegging out on video games, try one of these at-home activities to make your day a little lighter and brighter!
Baking Gluten Free
Make your baking easy when on vacation, and choose a safe gluten free box mix. You can find many different kinds and types of baking mixes at local supermarkets nowadays, and let baking be a fun family affair! So grab your recipe, go shopping, and break out your mixer for good, old-fashioned family fun. Make cookies, cake, and fresh bread, or cook a family meal together.
Cooking and baking are activities that can be blended into your everyday life, not just a special occasion activity! There are many places online where you can find a wonderful recipes. Check out my website here to find out more, or go to Episode 68 of the Travel Gluten Free podcast for easy recipes and gluten-free deals online!
Play Outside
Badminton, whiffle ball, soccer, or basketball are great games to get your family going outside! Snowing weekly? Try building a snowman, snowshoeing around your home or on a nearby trail, or having a snowball fight! There are many options for outdoor fun in a cold or warm climate. Have a family picnic at your home or an open park, as many parks are usually empty at this time. Remember to use social distancing and bring hand sanitizer with you for precaution!
Play Inside
Board games, puzzles, and card games are fun no matter how much technology we have around our house. Besides fun, these activities are a great way to connect and interact with other family members while enjoying time together on your gluten free vacation.
Discover tips on how to safely travel gluten-free with my complimentary ebook, Ten Tips for Traveling Gluten Free! You can also find out more details about how to travel via cruise, road trip, or camping and learn the freedom you can have when you know how to travel with Celiac disease when you grab my Guide to Traveling Gluten Free.