More and more people are living and traveling vegan. What was quite difficult a few years ago is becoming increasingly easier. A growing number of travel companies are catering to vegans by offering plant-based meals and animal-free accommodations. Here are some practical tips on how to get started with vegan travel. But first, let’s look at the connection between sustainable and vegan travel.
Table of Contents “Vegan Travel”
As-Well-As or Either-Or? Sustainable and vegan travel
Digression 1: What do we mean by “Vegan Lifestyle”?
Digression 2: Is being vegan always sustainable?
How difficult is traveling as a vegan? Or: Where can I even go on a vegan vacation?
Which destinations a especially vegan-friendly?
Are there vegan all-inclusive hotels?
How can I travel as a vegan without getting stressed out?
Vegan Travel – All Tips at a Glance
As-Well-As or Either-Or? Sustainable and Vegan Travel
Why should you travel vegan? Or at least try it? Answer 1: It broadens your horizons. When you travel vegan, you usually do some research about your destination beforehand: Where are vegan restaurants? Can I find vegan products at the grocery store, other than fruits and vegetables? Are plant-based milks and other alternatives widely available? You’ll also learn a lot about your destination (whether domestic or international), and you’ll probably even discover an insider tip or two.
And answer 2: It’s better for the climate! Of course, going vegan doesn’t automatically make you a sustainable traveler. But the fact is that in the vast majority of cases (except perhaps if you eat only convenience foods), a vegan diet is more environmentally and climate-friendly than a diet that includes meat and animal products. This is as true when traveling as it is at home. Even if you don’t live a completely vegan lifestyle, one part of sustainable traveling is avoiding meat dishes now and then. Most countries have so many typical vegetable dishes, that you won’t know where to start, anyway. 🙂
Digression 1: What do we mean by “Vegan Lifestyle”?
Strange question, you may ask. But we want to clarify that a vegan lifestyle is more than just a plant-based diet. It includes, for example, not wearing clothing made from animal products such as down or leather. Or using animal-free products in your home furnishings.
Digression 2: Is being vegan always sustainable?
No. Veganism does not always equal sustainability. For example, it is more sustainable to keep wearing your old (but not vegan) down jacket than to throw it away to buy a new, vegan one. Or wearing out your old leather boots before buying a new pair of vegan shoes. Even when it comes to food, fresh, local, seasonal, and “just” vegetarian meals can be more sustainable than a frozen vegan pizza.
How difficult is traveling as a vegan? Or: Where can I even go on a vegan vacation?
One thing right away: You can travel vegan anywhere. Really! It may be harder in some places than others, sometimes the only vegan dish is a plate of salad (without dressing, of course) or fries. But it’s always possible. You can get fruits, vegetables, grains, etc. pretty much anywhere in the world. Even in countries with a very meat-heavy cuisine, like South Africa, we always found something. Or we would ask, and a vegan pizza would magically appear out of nowhere. 🙂
In addition, as mentioned above, more and more restaurants, accommodations, and businesses are catering to vegans and offering the option of a plant-based meal, at least upon request.
Which destinations are especially vegan-friendly?
Great Britain, especially London, is considered a particularly vegan-friendly destination, although vegan travel is usually easier in cities than in the countryside. Thailand is another popular vegan destination. It also hosts one of the world’s largest vegetarian food festivals every year. And where there is vegetarian food, vegan food is usually not far behind. Otherwise, our tips below will also help you plan a vegan trip.
Where do I find vegan hotels?
The easiest way to travel vegan is to book a holistic vegan hotel like Italy’s LA VIMEA. Here, you don’t have to think, you can just enjoy the experience. Vegetarian-vegan hotels are another good option. This is especially true if you or your partner don’t want to give up cheese, for example. Also in Italy, on the Seiser Alm overlooking the Dolomites, we recommend the Paradiso Pure.Living.
Another tip for finding vegan hotels: If you book a sustainable hotel, you can almost always be sure that there is a vegan dining option. As we wrote above: Sustainability goes hand in hand with a meat-free or animal-free diet. On our website, www.greenpearls.com, you’ll find hand-picked sustainable accommodations around the world. From luxury to down-to-earth, from Thailand to Peru.
Are there vegan all-inclusive hotels?
Of course 😉 The ADLER Lodge RITTEN, for example, offers a breakfast buffet, light lunches, coffee and cake in the afternoon, complimentary beverages, and a multi-course dinner menu. Needless to say, vegan options are included. No need to order in advance.
How can I travel as a vegan without getting stressed out?
Preparation is everything: Ask the hotel or lodging if they have vegan options, and if it’s important to you, ask about the amenities in the rooms and common areas. Find out where vegan restaurants are located and if the grocery store carries vegan products. When in doubt, pack your own spreads and snacks. Also helpful: download translator apps and vegan travel apps like Happy Cow and the like while you’re still at home. Whichever you choose: Try it at home and get comfortable. That way, you’ll already know all the features and filters, and you’ll be able to focus on your experience (instead of your phone) while you’re there!
How do I plan a vegan trip?
The previous question almost answered this one. Because the tips for stress-free vegan travel are exactly those you need to plan. The credo is always the same: prepare and research before you go. And for all you spontaneous travelers reading this: You can always deviate from your researched spots once you get there! But if nothing catches your eye at your destination, you will have a backup to fall back on 😉
Vegan travel blogs and those written by local vegan foodies can also be very helpful in planning your trip. Forums, Facebook groups and related Instagram communities are also goldmines for insider tips, knowledge and even contacts.
Vegan Travel – All Tips at a Glance
Accommodation
- Book a (holisticly) vegan hotel.
- Vegan dining options are also available at sustainable hotels. This year, for example, the Hotel STURM in the Rhön region of Germany introduced a “Veggie Wednesday” on which no meat is served.
- Ask about vegan options and how the hotel is equipped when in doubt.
Preparation
- Research vegan restaurants, cafes, and vegan offerings at the grocery store. You can use blogs, search for where you want to go + vegan, or use Pinterest.
- Download apps and test them at home.
- If necessary, prepare spreads, couscous, etc. that are easy to bring.
- Learn important phrases and terms in the local language, or at least write them down. You may also buy a vegan travel dictionary. Then you will be able to look at the ingredients in the supermarket to see if something is vegan or not.
- One more question for your research: Are there any labels for vegan foods that are different from the European labels? Knowing this will come in handy when traveling, too!
Journey
- Pack your own lunch and vegan snacks. Whether you travel by bus, train, car, or plane.
- Remember to book your vegan meal in advance for air travel. This can usually be done while booking online. Otherwise, it’s best to do it by phone right after. Make sure you do not forget.
- Follow food import regulations when traveling abroad.
On-Site
- Probably the most important tip: Just ask nicely! If you want to know where to find vegan food: Ask! If you are unsure about a dish: Ask! If you want to know if there are vegan options available at all: Ask! Again, it helps to know at least “hello” and “excuse me” in the local language.
Vegan Travel can be easy!
Vegan travel is no more complicated than slow travel or sustainable travel in general. Sure, it takes a little more research than packaged or “conventional” travel, but let’s look at it this way: every vegan trip, every demand for a vegan option, shows tour companies, restaurants, and cafes that this is what we want. The number of options increases. So, the next vegan vacation is already going to be a little bit easier 🙂
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