Vegan-friendly holiday tips

Eating vegan? Here are some tips to help you out on holiday.

In the last few years, vegan cuisine has skyrocketed in popularity, the dietary change finding a home alongside tried-and-failed New Year's resolutions, weight-loss diets and Dry January. If you’re sticking 'Veganuary' out, you may not have considered what your evening meals will be like while you’re on holiday in six months time. But being in another country with a language you don’t speak can make it challenging, even if you’ve got it sussed at home. So here are our three top tips on travelling while vegan…

DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU BOOK

When choosing where to go on holiday, you’ll already be thinking about the weather, the nightlife, and how much spending money you need. But does your destination deliver when it comes to vegan food? Can you be certain you won’t be eating the same thing at every meal, and that it’ll be healthy and balanced? Your destination can make all the difference. Thailand’s Buddhist roots, for example, mean that meat is already off the menu for lots of Thai people. Their vegetarian and vegan lifestyle dishes up tourists a plethora of noodle and rice-based dishes, as well as vegan versions of famous Thai soups and curries. Better still, at ROBINSON CLUB KHAO LAK in Thailand - which sits alongside Khao Lak National Park - ROBINSON’S signature WellFood® concept and local Thai cuisine blend seamlessly to form meal options that are both vegan friendly and tasty. So you’ll get fresh, nutritious food in a peaceful location, including everything from vegan breakfasts to afternoon snacks.

USE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Don’t let the language barrier intimidate you – getting out and talking to the locals can reveal hidden gems you never would have found alone. And make the most of your tech – at TUI BLUE hotels you can download the BLUE App, which connects you straight to your hotel reception, and provides information about the local area. You can uncover places like Lo Vegano in Majorca, the first vegan food shop on the island. According to tourists, staff in the shop are even happy to point visitors in the direction of the local vegan restaurants. Plus, TUI BLUE hotels are all about authentic cuisine – so if you decided to stay at the TUI BLUE ROCADOR, it’s the perfect excuse to eat your body weight in vegan tapas while you're there.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED

Berlin is considered one of the best places in Europe to be vegan – it even has a vegan supermarket chain, the first of its kind on the continent. But not everywhere you travel will understand what veganism is. Where you can, ask for vegan exchanges – in Italy, switch ice cream for vegan sorbet, and in New York, opt for dairy-free pizza. Do the same if you prefer to stick to hotel meals, especially if you’ve booked an All-Inclusive trip. Ibiza has a thriving vegan scene if you do decide to venture out – but at all TUI FAMILY LIFE hotels, like the TUI FAMILY LIFE CLUB AURA on the south east of the island, you’ll find trained chefs that can cater to dietary requests. So, don’t be shy in asking for what you need in order for your dish to be vegan - staff will be more than happy to help accommodate your needs. Ibiza is also well known for being a spiritual haven, so why not indulge in some yoga or meditation as well?

Feeling prepared for a vegan-friendly getaway?

Take a look at our best ROBINSON and TUI BLUE deals, or for more vegan getaway inspiration, read about why Walt Disney World is perfect for vegans.

Fancy a closer look at our TUI-designed hotels? Explore our virtual resort.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles. 

Author: Lizzie Butler

Last updated: 29.01.2018