Being a vegan traveler doesn’t have to be difficult and neither should it be difficult to get vegan meals when traveling. Your vegan lifestyle doesn’t have to limit your vacation experiences. Vegan travel has its own unique set of difficulties, but it can also be a thrilling adventure.
Are you wondering if being a vegan makes traveling difficult? Fortunately, a lot has changed around the globe! More people than ever are becoming vegan, as evidenced by the rise in vegan cafes, restaurants, and local options across the globe.
Honestly, traveling can always be less challenging for vegans, and to help you discover and plan for the greatest cuisine and keep healthy when traveling, here are some basic vegan travel tips:
A Grocery Store Map
Everyone enjoys booking hotel rooms with kitchenettes because, as any vegan worth their salt will tell you, there are instances when cooking is just more convenient. Even so, try to locate a home with a microwave and a small refrigerator.
Next, find out in advance the locations of the nearby grocery stores. Make your way and get yourself some simple self-catering items like vegan ramen, cereal, and plant-based milk, among other things. You can generally grab some food from the ready-to-eat/buffet sections of local whole foods that you can reheat.
Call Ahead to Make a Reservation
Make sure you have food when you arrive by calling ahead, even more than once if necessary, if you have reservations for a meal-related excursion. It is very advised that you do this or confirm with the event staff that you will have a meal on a cruise, airplane, or conference where lunch is offered
Search for Specialty Menus
Most restaurants today know the importance of having menus that include vegan-friendly options. So as you travel or before you even begin your travel, you can always search for physical or online restaurants that are sensitive to the dietary preferences of their customers and have entire sections of their menus with plant-based options.
When traveling as a vegan, it might be helpful if you have online options that are vegan-friendly such as Mamoun’s, a restaurant famous for its falafels and Middle Eastern Cuisine. Such online restaurants will have options such as sandwiches, plates, sides, and pastries that are vegan-friendly. Remember, a good restaurant should have a clear menu on the ingredients they use in their dishes.
You can also go to food stations and inquire about the vegan menu options if you find yourself in a rush and short of time during your travels.
Connect and Go Out
Look for a Meetup or make a Facebook connection with the place you are visiting! By doing this, you can connect with local vegans who are knowledgeable about the area. They can advise you on where to go, what to avoid, and where to find the tastiest meals ever—hidden spots within buildings you would never think to visit.
Also Read: How to Stay Safe and Confident When Traveling to New Places
Always Pack Munchies
Though it might seem like one of the more basic vegan travel advice, it’s easy to become accustomed to your surroundings and forget to pack for a trip to a new place or nation. The following is a list of some of the simplest foods to bring on a day trip:
- Crackerjack
- combined nuts
- cereal bars
- Fruit, preferably bananas!
- Wraps and sandwiches
- For a sweet snack, try vegan cakes or dark chocolate.
Do Some Research About the Destination
It would be best if you did a few additional things when learning how to travel as a vegan to have a comfortable trip. Before you go, research the place you’re going to visit. This will let you know what to bring and what to anticipate in terms of food selections and cuisine.
Remain in a Room with a Kitchen
Make reservations somewhere with access to a kitchen if you’re genuinely concerned about some of the possibilities at the location you’re visiting. This is more cost-effective because you can buy ingredients to prepare instead of worrying about where to acquire vegan food when you’re out.
You can create many foods in a room, such as peanut butter, rice cakes, bread, and bananas, even if the lodging doesn’t have a kitchen! In any case, most accommodations have a small refrigerator; you can typically use these to store soy milk for breakfast.
Summing it Up
If you’re traveling by air, find out what the airline offers for vegan meals. Though checking and requesting in advance is better, most airlines offer special meals, including vegan or vegetarian selections.
While traveling, keep an open mind and a flexible mindset. Accept the journey of learning about new vegan options and regional flavors, and be bold with your cooking or ask questions.
