Backapcking...does Cheap And Gr Exist In Europe

[The Glutenator]

I am about to leave for Europe for six weeks to do some backpacking in Vienna and Prauge then a few cities in Germany, France, and Spain. I have seen that some of these places are OK for gluten free, but only if you stick to higher end restaurants. On a student budget, these places aren't really an option for me. I am packing a couple cases of power bars but those won't last me the entire trip. Can you please offer me suggestions for how to handle the trip? Thanks! (So much for free hostel breafeast, eh? Those fresh baguettes just won't cut it, boo).

[tgrahek]

We were in Spain for 2 weeks and had no problem eating cheaply. There are little ham places (jamonerias) all over Madrid. Also just about every small cafe we went to had hamburgers, we ordered them "sin pan" or without bread. They always let us know if the fries were gluten free and if not we usually substituted fruit. Also the tortillas were cheap and easy to find. This is a spanish omelet made with eggs and potatoes.

Watch the ketchup carefully- nearly all of the ketchup we found in Spain contained wheat!

[Midwest]

When in Germany, go to grocery stores and get Glutano (instead of Glutino, as we know it here) and Schar brand foods. They are gluten-free and there is a lot more available there than here. The breads alone are much better.

Have fun.

[tarnalberry]

If you're backpacking, I'm guessing you'll be staying in hostels part of the time. Bring something you can cook on (such as a backpackers (the outdoors in the woods kind) pan) and use the kitchen in the hostel to make some food on your own from naturally gluten free ingredients.

[Wheatfreedude]

Most of the larger and smaller towns have farmer's markets on a daily basis. They are loaded with fresh produce, cheese, and meats. The prices are usually really good too.

[Jestgar]

I've never had a problem finding food when travelling. Get a hot water pot, or pan when you get there so you can cook anything anywhere.

Hard cheese (from the market) last several days in a backpack. Fruits and veggies a couple days, meats until lunch (or dinner if you buy them later in the day). Potato chips are ubiquitous and labeled in several languages. I found rice cakes in Croatia, so check out the stores, you never know what you'll find.

Try to find the hostels without the mandatory free brekky, they're usually cheaper.