The best gluten-free holidays

Mexico

In a land where nearly every recipe involves a tortilla, you could be hard pushed to find gluten-free options. However, at the TUI SENSATORI Resort Azul Mexico, gluten-free guests will be given a letter from the concierge at check-in to show at each of the restaurants. At Pizza Dude, gluten-free pizza dough is made fresh, so your only worry will be deciding between pepperoni and Hawaiian. And, there’s a great breakfast selection at Spoon, too. You’ll even find gluten-free dishes at Zocalo and Zavaz, the Mexican and Caribbean places. Elsewhere, in most eateries the chef can prepare meals to order, giving you complete peace of mind.

Greece

Grilled meat and fish top most menus in Greece, and luckily, they’re both gluten-free. However, pita bread, filo pastry and moussaka are still firm favourites, too. At the TUI SENSATORI Resort Crete by Atlantica, gluten-free guests can have a meeting with the Food and Beverage Manager to discuss options and requirements, and the restaurant chefs will happily rustle up a gluten-free version of most menu items. In Kos, at the Blue Lagoon Resort, three out of their four restaurants cater for allergies and intolerances, including the Greek tavern and the international buffet.

Spain

The TUI FAMILY LIFE Flamingo Beach Resort in Lanzarote has been highly rated for its awareness of dietary requirements. At La Bambola, gluten-free pizzas will be made fresh to order, and at the breakfast buffet, you’ll find separate toasters and utensils specifically for gluten-free guests. Plus, each apartment comes with a kitchenette for cooking meals, if you’d prefer to eat in some nights. Meanwhile, at the adults-only TUI SENSIMAR Natura Palace, all gluten-free options are clearly labelled, and the chef can make personal recommendations each evening.

Portugal

In Portugal, awareness of gluten-free dining is still in its early stages. Avoid meals with ‘trigo’ or ‘cevada’ listed in the ingredients, and stick to grilled food over fried. Plus, watch out – ‘sin-gluten’ means ‘containing gluten’, the opposite to the meaning in Spanish. In Portugal, gluten-free foods are marked as ‘sem-gluten’. At the TUI SENSIMAR Savoy Gardens in Funchal, you’ll find clearly marked options, and the chef will happily recommend specific dishes that are cooked to order. Over at the Hotel Pestana on Porto Santo Island - which has received top reviews for its gluten-free offerings - there are separate allergy food stations at the buffet, and specialty dishes can be whipped up by the chef in the à la carte places.

Jamaica

In Jamaica creole cuisine tops the bill, with jerk chicken and salt fish as the main players. Allergies and intolerances are well-known here, so it’s a top destination for gluten-free and coeliac travellers. At the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton, the Lotus House oriental restaurant has a full gluten-free menu, and there’s a special programme in place for guests with allergies. This includes a coeliac dietary card which you can show in the resort’s restaurants to make the chef and servers aware. All gluten-free meals are cooked on their own surface, and the speciality cakes and desserts have gotten rave reviews.

Italy

Contrary to popular belief, the motherland of all things pizza and pasta has a remarkable understanding of gluten intolerance. There’s a high level of awareness among chefs and restaurant staff who - in keeping with Italian tradition - would like absolutely everyone to fall in love with their food. Keep an eye out for ‘senza glutine’ – ‘gluten-free’ in Italian. At the TUI SENSIMAR Nastro Azzurro, there are gluten, wheat and lactose-free options, all on a separate menu, and the chef will happily talk through any concerns or preferences. In Scala, at the Hotel Z'Intonio, you’ll find homemade gluten-free pasta and pizza at the ready – just give the chef the nod.

Ready to check out our gluten-free hotspots for yourself?

For starters, browse our TUI Sensatori resorts for inspiration – they all cater for allergens. Plus, find out about our favourite pick for vegans, and our top tips for holidaying with children who are picky eaters.

Author: Charlotte Harris