Travel and holidays

Plenty of thought and advance planning will definitely pay off when arranging overseas holidays, business trips or longer periods of travelling.

It is advisable to do your research well in advance, so that you allow plenty of time to receive any information you may have requested.

Planning your trip

• Contact the tour/cruise operator to let them know that you will require gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. meals at the time of booking
• If visiting more remote regions or camping, ensure your diet can be accommodated
• When travelling independently, research the local food and if it is suitable for a glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -free diet. Identify what foods you can rely on in an emergency
• Pack some emergency gluten-free snacks in your suitcase – you never know when you may need them.

Translations and local information

• We have information leaflets for more than 40 countries, with language translations that can be used in many others. You can request these information leaflets for the country you are visiting by contacting the Membership Services team.
• These leaflets include translations and contact details for the local coeliac organisation if they have one.
• The local organisation can sometimes provide lists of hotels/restaurants and shops which supply gluten-free foods, as well as their gluten-free food list.
• Ask for guidance about the local diet and food labelling.

Travel insurance

• Arrange travel insurance and inform the company that you have coeliac diseaseA condition where a person is unable to eat gluten as it makes their body attack itself. . Costs should be the same or slightly more, provided you are well following the diet.
• Shop around if you are unhappy with the quote.
• As insurance policy cover can vary from company to company, you should always check the full details of your travel insurance policy carefully.
• In EU countries, take the EU Health Insurance card as well as arranging normal travel cover.

Transport

• Ask for gluten-free meals at the time of booking for airlines or first class Eurostar travel
• Double check these arrangements before you leave and make yourself known to staff when you arrive.
• Gluten-free choices can be limited at some airports, stations or on ferries, so plan ahead and prepare food or snacks for the journey.
• Always make sure you have emergency snacks to fall back on in case of delays or cancellations.

Taking food abroad

• Check with your airline or tour operator whether sealed packs of gluten-free products may be brought into the country you are visiting. They may also give you additional baggage allowance if you request it.
• If you require further reassurance, your GPYour local doctor or General Practitioner. can provide you with a letter explaining coeliac disease and why you need these products.
• Make sure you dispose of any opened snacks brought for the journey before you enter the country.

Accommodation and eating out

Self catering

• Take some supplies to keep you going while you get to know what is available locally.
• Do not forget to take the Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. when staying in the UK, but remember that the information does not apply overseas.

Hotels, restaurants, theme parks

• It is best to book accommodation and restaurants in advance, requesting gluten-free meals at the same time. This is often possible in large theme parks.
• Speak to the chef or front of house staff when you arrive to confirm that gluten-free meals have been arranged.
• Follow your instincts if you are unsure whether a dish is safe and speak to the chef again.
• Although Western style buffets are increasingly found all over the world, ensure that the gluten-free options are safe and not contaminated (for example, separate serving spoons).
• Always use the translations to ensure that you have been fully understood.
• If using recommendations from the local coeliac organisation, check that the information is still current and the chef has not moved on.

Shopping

• Gluten-free products are increasingly available in Europe and other Western countries, but can be difficult to source elsewhere.
• Bread and pasta are frequently found in large branches of supermarkets and health food shops as well as some pharmacies, often located under the Diet section.
• Sometimes it is possible to order online in advance and have the goods delivered to your hotel or villa.
• Brands such as Orgran and Schar are the most common but there may be other local products available too.

Allergen labelling

• All packaged foods in the EU are covered by the same food labelling legislation as in the UK. Manufacturers must list all deliberate ingredients in the ingredients list, regardless of the amount used. Manufacturers must name the particular grain, for example, wheat, rye, barley or oats or some will use the word gluten as well.
• Specific information for each country is given where possible on the individual travel sheets.