Best vegan holidays

GREECE

Your experience of Greek food might be limited to a Friday night kebab, but for the most authentic foods and flavours of the Greek Islands, you can’t do better than exploring the likes of Crete, Corfu, Santorini and Rhodes – with a knife and fork firmly in hand. So we know the Mediterranean diet is packed with garlic, olive oil and fresh vegetables. But did you know the Greeks have been championing a vegan diet since around 550 BCE? It dates back as far as the ancient philosopher Pythagoras. Plus, locals that follow the Greek Orthodox faith stick to a vegan diet during Lent each year, so it’s easy to find vegan food. Cretan cuisine caters especially well to plant-based diets – there are heaps of fruit and vegetables on offer, including over 500 types of green vegetables and herbs.

Hungry? Book a break to Greece

BALI

You’ll feel like you’ve hit the vegan jackpot in Bali. The majority of Balinese people are Hindus, and although a vegetarian diet isn’t compulsory, Hindus quite often avoid eating meat and other animal products. This means it’s really easy to find vegetarian restaurants, especially in cultural hotspot Ubud. And as Bali is a hit when it comes to yoga retreats – which often go hand in hand with vegan dining – there are plenty of vegan restaurants on offer, too. The base of most dishes is rice or noodles, with lots of vegetables, and absolutely no cheese, butter or milk. Meat is only a small part of Balinese meals, too, so it can easily be left out. Plus, the island’s freckled with coconut palms, so coconut oil, cream and water are all readily available. Try buying a fresh coconut from a street food stall as a mid-afternoon thirst quencher.

Inspired? Take a look at our holidays to Bali

MAJORCA

Think Majorca – think beaches, boutiques and balmy temperatures. But did you know it’s a great place for vegan eats, too? Vegetables are a staple ingredient in most of the traditional dishes on this Balearic beauty, so it’s no wonder their vegan menus are something to write home about. The island’s capital, Palma, is a vegan-friendly city – you’ll find plenty of cafes, tapas bars and restaurants serving vegetarian and vegan dishes. Plus, if you book a break at the adults-only TUI BLUE Rocador, in Cala Gran, you’ll be able to pick from a range of delicious vegan, vegetarian and raw food options. All of the food in the hotel’s three restaurants is made using fresh, local ingredients, too.

Check out our holidays to Majorca

INDIA

This colourful country’s always had a great reputation for its foodie scene, and the good news is that it’s easy to eat out whether you’re just dabbling in a plant-based diet or you’ve gone fully vegan. Over 30% of Indians follow a vegetarian diet anyway, so it’s just a matter of asking for your dish without any dairy, as ghee – a type of clarified butter – is often used instead of oil. Just ask if the restaurant offers vegan-friendly options. So what can you expect from vegan meals in India? Spice-filled curries packed with lentils, beans and protein are par for the course. Take a trip to South Goa, meanwhile, and the restaurants are just as likely to serve spicy Portuguese dishes as they are fiery curries.

Get a taste of India on holidays to Goa

NEW YORK

Dining and shopping capital, arts and culture hub, nightlife king – trendsetting New York has plenty of titles under its belt. Did we mention that – neck-and-neck with London, Berlin and Tel Aviv – New York’s home to the highest number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the world? The Big Apple doesn’t restrict its vegan visitors to fruit, veg and chips. Instead, it’s a mecca for vegan alternatives. Vegan burgers, vegan pizza, vegan ice-cream – you name it, New York’s got it. And with health food shops and juice bars popping up on every other block, you’re never far from a bite to eat.

Book a city break to New York

Ready to book your vegan-friendly getaway? 

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Author: Danielle Penny