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Honeymoon Suggestions?

Kate79

By Kate79
in Traveling with Celiac Disease

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Kate79 Apprentice
Kate79
Posted

I'm getting married next September and we're considering honeymoon locations. We've been looking a lot at central/south america - partly because it seems like it's easy to be gluten-free down there. Europe is another possibility - especially Italy, Spain or Greece. I travel to Europe frequently for work, but I've only been there once since going gluten free and had mixed success. My most common symptoms are debilitating migraine w/nausea, and I really want to avoid those on my honeymoon. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

Kate

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modiddly16 Enthusiast
modiddly16
Posted

I asked for suggestions a few days ago too with little response! I'll be watching your topic like a hawk to see if there are any ideas :)

codetalker Contributor
codetalker
Posted

We've been looking a lot at central/south america - partly because it seems like it's easy to be gluten-free down there.

If you're looking at South America, then consider Uruguay. It is a hidden gem. The people are very friendly and treat you like family. Montevideo is by far the biggest city and is very historic. Punta del Este is a big resort and very pretty. Keep moving north along the coast and you can find some wonderful laid back places to vacation.

I spent time there for work and had no problems. Grilled meat is a staple of their diet so, if you're a meat eater, you are in for a real treat.

Argentina is just across the river and is a great place to visit, too.

RyanP Newbie
RyanP
Posted

Hi Kate-

I was dx'ed a few months before getting married back in 2007. Our honeymoon was the first big trip I took gluten-free, and I have to say it was a bit intimidating. My wife and I ended up going to Kauai and had an absolutely fantastic time. (Since you haven't mentioned it here, I'll skip over the details, but I will say I did not end up getting glutened once)

I do have some experience in central america, as well as europe, so here were my experiences:

I took a trip to Costa Rica last year, and had a blast. I'm not a very good Spanish speaker, so it was pretty hard to get my point across/understood. (This was my fault. If I could do it over again I would have tried to learn a little bit more of the language.) That being said, the national dish of CR is gallo pinto (Rice and beans), usu. with some grilled meat so finding naturally gluten-free food was not a huge issue. The Guayabo Lodge outside of Turrialba is run by a dutch woman and her uruguayan husband. This was a very nice lodge in the mountains, with easy access to rafting, canyoning and hiking. I can't say enough good things about this place. They cook all their food on premises, and were more than happy to accomodate a gluten-free dinner. On the same trip we also spend a few nights in Manuel Antonio, on the Pacific coast. A little bit touristy for me, but fun nonetheless. If you happen to pass through here, Cafe Milagro (on the main drag at the top of the big hill) has the best coffee I have ever had, and was also happy to accomodate a gluten-free diet. (The owner is an ex-pat from Wisconsin,and super nice).

As far as Europe goes, I've travelled to both the UK and Netherlands since I've been dx'd. Both were super easy to find gluten-free foods, especially if you can find a place to stay with a kitchen and do some of your own cooking. Amsterdam in particular was a very easy place to eat. I didn't really eat anywhere fancy, but most places were happy to accomodate. In London, I highly recommend the mermaids tail on Leicester Square. (Gluten-free fish and chips! For real!)

Anyway, thats my long, rambling two cents. If you have any questions, I'm happy to try and answer them!

Good luck, and congrats on getting married!

-Ryan

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

I'm getting married next September and we're considering honeymoon locations. We've been looking a lot at central/south america - partly because it seems like it's easy to be gluten-free down there. Europe is another possibility - especially Italy, Spain or Greece. I travel to Europe frequently for work, but I've only been there once since going gluten free and had mixed success. My most common symptoms are debilitating migraine w/nausea, and I really want to avoid those on my honeymoon. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

Kate

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! :)

Although when one thinks of Italy (i.e. bread, pasta, pizza) it is one of the better-informed countries in Europe when it comes to celiac disease and so on. I've been there often but only once while gluten-free. It is so hard to tell whether I got glutened or not as I am a silent celiac but I took along my restaurant cards everywhere I went and in broken Italian tried to communicate CC. We frequented places with fresh grilled fish, veg and meat and places that did not have deep fryers. We also purchased things at fresh markets for snacks. We are going again in May and October.

We've been to many European countries but again, not much while gluten-free (only Italy, Croatia, Slovenia). Sorry - no gluten-free experience in Spain or Greece yet. In 2011 will be in Italy, Croatia, Slovakia, Hungary, France, Bosnia so will find out more! :D

  • 7 years later...
AnnieHM Newbie
AnnieHM
Posted

Congrats on the upcoming wedding!

I'm also getting married next September and my hubby to be is a very sensitive coeliac, so I appreciate the advice above! We frequently holiday in Italy and it's honestly the easiest place we've ever travelled to - awareness is so high and there is so much gluten free food in supermarkets if you get somewhere with a kitchenette. Even if you don't, restaurants are so aware of it, it was like a 'normal' holiday - such little planning required and we could eat out every night if we wanted to and he's never been gluten there. If you are considering Venice, there's a dedicated gluten free shop (with a super helpful lady who will tell you all the best restaurants to go to) and even a gelato chain called GROM that is 100% gluten free - my fiancé felt like a kid again being able to eat an ice cream cone! Every place we've been to in Italy was so easy, probably easier than in London (where we live).

For our honeymoon we're considering Costa Rica as there's also a hotel there that is 100% gluten free: Open Original Shared Link which comes with great reviews. But still open to ideas so other thoughts would be greatly appreciated :)

Ennis-TX Grand Master
Ennis-TX
Posted
1 hour ago, AnnieHM said:

Congrats on the upcoming wedding!

I'm also getting married next September and my hubby to be is a very sensitive coeliac, so I appreciate the advice above! We frequently holiday in Italy and it's honestly the easiest place we've ever travelled to - awareness is so high and there is so much gluten free food in supermarkets if you get somewhere with a kitchenette. Even if you don't, restaurants are so aware of it, it was like a 'normal' holiday - such little planning required and we could eat out every night if we wanted to and he's never been gluten there. If you are considering Venice, there's a dedicated gluten free shop (with a super helpful lady who will tell you all the best restaurants to go to) and even a gelato chain called GROM that is 100% gluten free - my fiancé felt like a kid again being able to eat an ice cream cone! Every place we've been to in Italy was so easy, probably easier than in London (where we live).

For our honeymoon we're considering Costa Rica as there's also a hotel there that is 100% gluten free: Open Original Shared Link which comes with great reviews. But still open to ideas so other thoughts would be greatly appreciated :)

Your responding to a 2011 post but congratulations on YOUR upcoming wedding. IF you decide on the USA and Texas, I know San Antonio is great, and if you postpone the honeymoon til December they have xmas lights all over the riverwalk  and is quite the sight (I can send pictures). I myself live up near Dallas but they have very few options other then a chain of bakeries, and 2 dedicated restaurants one being a English pup the other a Mexican both owned by fellow celiacs.  They have some nice options in San Antonio like Las Canarias in the Omni La Mansion hotel on the Riverwalk, 5pointslocal is a completely gluten free restaurant, and there is Wholesome Eating LLC Gluten Free Bakery and Café again completely gluten free, I loved zushisushi but who goes to Texas for sushi?

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