From veganfoodandliving.com
From finding restaurants to ethical tourist attractions, here are the top travel tips all vegan travellers need to know…
Travelling as a vegan is no longer what it used to be.
Gone are the days when a sad salad and fries has to suffice for dinner, after the nagging waiter asks for the third time in one evening: “So, why can’t you have cheese?”
Thanks to its skyrocketing popularity, veganism has spread to almost every nook and cranny across the world – creating plant-based paradises in the most unexpected of places.
That being said, it’s always best to be prepared and avoid those easy mistakes when you’re on the road, in the sky, or cruising along the Pacific…
Travelling as a vegan – the complete guide
To help you plan your next adventure, this guide will cover everything you need to help you plan your perfect trip, including our top vegan travel tips. This includes:
Destination
Many cuisines around the world naturally lend themselves to a plant-based diet. South East Asia has rapidly become a hotspot for vegan tourists – with destinations like Bali now bursting with Instagrammable smoothie bowls and mock meats.
Closer to home and European city breaks are equally becoming plant-based hotspots. If you want to bike around the city pretending you’re in a Wes Anderson film then graze on falafel for lunch – check out the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam.
Even across the Pond, in the meat-loving United States of America, there are cities filled with plant-based eateries – from upscale restaurants to cheap and cheerful fast food establishments. Los Angeles naturally deserves a special mention when it comes to vegan hotspots.
The point is — unless you’re going on an expedition to a blue zone, or living in a submarine for three months — you may not have to worry about where to travel.
If you’re a foodie who wants their vacation to be all about fancy brunches and candlelit suppers – you may want to go to a place already renowned for its vegan offerings, like Ubud in Indonesia.
But, if you’re more of a culture and sightseeing traveller – pick your destination on museums or art galleries etc. As long as you have this guide on travelling as a vegan, you’ll be fine.
Flying
Let’s face it. We’ve all seen the horror stories of vegans vs airplane food – like this blogger who went viral after being served just a bottle of water on a 10-hour journey. Or, this woman who branded one airline a ‘joke’ after receiving a measly onboard meal…
The reality is, airplane food is never going to be super spectacular and mind-blowing. So, the first tip is to lower your expectations and prepare for the worst.
However, over the last couple of years, many airlines have started expanding their plant-based offerings after witnessing growing demand.
For example, Emirates witnessed a staggering 154 per cent increase in vegan meals from 2021 to 2022 and currently offers 180 recipes catering to vegan passengers.
Economy favourites include a creamy spinach and avocado mousseline, multicoloured quinoa, and a barley risotto. While Business and First Class customers can indulge in a brand new gourmet menu featuring dishes such as pan-roasted king oyster mushrooms, jackfruit biryani, and a chocolate truffle cake.
If you book with an airline that does offer vegan meals, make sure you check the company’s terms and conditions to see how long in advance you need to make an order. If in doubt, contact them for confirmation.
BE AWARE: If your flight is cancelled, or delays cause you to miss a layover, the vegan meal you requested may no longer stand.
To prevent any uncomfortable flights where your stomach is growling louder than the engine, packing your own food will always be your safest bet. Need some trusty snack ideas? Check out our latest recipes and releases here.
Just make sure you check the entry requirements to where you are flying to, as some have strict rules on bringing in food.
Food & Drink
If you’re in one of the previously mentioned vegan meccas of the world, you may not have to try hard to stumble across plant-based food and restaurants.
However, if you’re not the kind of traveller that can just ‘go with the flow’ and see what restaurants are about – download HappyCow.
The app – if you’ve been living under a rock and aren’t already aware – lists all the nearest vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly establishments nearest to you. You can browse reviews, check photos, and plan your meals accordingly.
If you’re travelling with non-vegans who don’t want to exclusively dine at plant-based restaurants, or have tried HappyCow to no avail, Google Translate is now your best friend.
You can figure out what ingredients are on the packet of crisps you hope don’t contain milk powder for *no reason* and you can clarify your needs to any waiting staff.
To be honest, Google Translate is a crutch you will almost undoubtedly lean on if you’re travelling in places where English isn’t commonly spoken. Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, and even less touristy parts of Thailand and Laos often rely on translation apps to communicate with tourists.
Alternatively, you could always learn a few simple phrases or words to help clarify your needs. Make that DuoLingo bird happy, for once…
If you’re travelling as a vegan on a tighter budget, or perhaps just aren’t fussed about culinary experiences, cooking at home is a great way to save money and guarantee your meals are vegan-friendly.
Again, Google Translate is a handy app to have downloaded when you’re trying to work out the ingredients in the supermarket.
Attractions / Things to do
From the Pig Beach in the Bahamas to elephant ‘sanctuaries’ in Thailand – animal tourism is everywhere you look. But is it ever ethical?
Vegan Food & Living spoke to animal welfare expert and author of How To Be an Activist Vanessa Holburn to find out more about these popular excursions.
“The problem with tourist attractions that make money out of animal-based experiences is that the primary interest of those selling the experience is making money,” she said.
“Once money is the priority, the welfare of the animal is then forgotten about. Profit is put first.”
This prioritisation of profits over ethics has backfired for attractions like SeaWorld, whose hay-day popularity has plummeted further than the depths of it shallow tanks.
Over recent years, the company’s notoriety has grown uglier and uglier and its allies are slowly backing off. Take Thomas Cook, for example, who recently joined a growing list of brands which have stopped promoting SeaWorld and similar attractions.
However, if you’re travelling as a vegan you’ve already probably crossed SeaWorld from your bucket list. Perhaps you’re thinking a sanctuary is a much better option?
Animal tourism such as elephant trekking is everywhere you look, but the dark reality is that these places exploit animals - putting profits before ethics and animal welfare. Photo © mizuno555 via Adobe Stock
Even companies that market themselves as an ethical sanctuary may be mistreating their animals. So, what red flags should you look out for?
“A genuine sanctuary will want to maintain the physical and emotional health of its animals,” Holburn advises. “That means replicating as far as possible that animal’s natural habitat.
“If enclosures are cramped and dirty, and there is no access to things such as shade and fresh water, and the animal is unable to behave as it would in the wild because of how or where it’s kept, then walk away.
“An animal kept in poor housing will show signs of stress, such as pacing, self-mutilation and other repetitive behaviours, as well as suffer from physical health concerns as a result of poor hygiene, which may show in skin rashes, loss of fur and infections.”
Holburn also said visitors should take note of how an establishment allows them to interact with animals.
“Touching and taking selfies with wild animals or making the animal perform tricks is wrong,” she added. “A visitor should be there to calmly and quietly observe the animals in as natural a habitat as possible.
“At a deeper level, you may want to find out how the animals are acquired for the sanctuary, were they rescued from circuses for example, or where they bought, a practice which simply encourages the hunting and trading of the wildlife the sanctuary claims to oppose?”
If you’re still really wanting to see animals on your travels, that’s fine. You can always learn how to dive, pay for a safari trip, or simply keep a lookout for local wildlife. But, always do your research, check reviews, and be vocal if you see anything of concern.
Souvenirs
Strolling the night market for some kind of trinket is a rite of passage we all enjoy. However, it’s important to put down the Tenerife magnet, take a step back, and think about your purchases.
Many souvenirs these days are mass-produced, imported, and will inevitably end up rotting in landfill after their owner loses interest.
When purchasing any kind of keepsake, it’s worth doing your research on where it’s from, who the money is going to, and whether it’s necessary.
Try supporting local artists and craftsman, donate to charities, and avoid the commercial hotspots that all sell the same keyrings and emblazoned t-shirts.
Sustainability experts at GoGreenTravelGreen also recommend avoiding ‘rare wood that may have been harvested unsustainably or illegally’.
“Always avoid animal parts (animal skins, tusks, etc.) since they may have come from an endangered animal or might have been poached,” the site adds.
Travelling as a vegan
This guide may seem slightly overwhelming, but most of it is common sense.
When travelling as a vegan, mistakes will happen, and that’s fine. Just make sure you’re prepared and make sure you have fun!
Bon voyage!
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