Gluten Free Travel Blog

Gluten Free Communion -- Does Your Church Offer It?

BLOG HOP, DAY 10: At GlutenFreeTravelSite, our goal is to make it easy for anyone following a gluten free diet to find safe places to dine -- both in their area and when they travel. Since partipating in Holy Communion is such an integral part of most Christians' lives, we wanted to help visitors to our site also find churches that offer gluten-free (or low gluten) wafers/hosts. 

We recently began encouraging users of our site to submit “reviews” of churches offering gluten-free communion. You can find these reviews mixed in among the other reviews on our site, which are organized by location. So, for example, if you're traveling to Chicago and want to find a church where you can safely participate in communion, search reviews for the Chicago area.

We don't have many churches reviewed on our site  yet, and we need help spreading the word. If you or someone you know attends a church that offers gluten-free communion wafers/hosts, please submit a review to our site. The procedure is the same as it is for submitting a review of a restaurant or other establishment. Simply go to Submit Review, choose the location where the church is located, and follow the prompts from there.

Please help other Christians that are recently diagnosed with Celiac, new to the area, or visiting your area to find churches where they can fully participate in communion.

A special note if you are Catholic: The Catholic Church in particular is rooted in Scripture and Tradition. In keeping with the belief that Jesus used wheaten bread at the Last Supper, the Church has required that breads used for communion be made with wheat and contain gluten.

Thanks to the research of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, a company was found that produces wheat starch, which is wheat that has had most of its gluten removed. After much trial-and-error, the Benedictine Sisters were able to make low-gluten bread out of this special wheat starch and water.

These wafers meet both the stringent requirements of the Catholic Church as well as the requirements of the gluten-free community, as confirmed by data from the Center for Celiac Research. You can learn more about the wafers – and order 20 wafers for $5.15, plus shipping and handling by calling 800-223-2772 or visiting their website.

Please share your thoughts in a comment below -- and receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs listed below. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry 

Gluten Free At College -- Adding Another Dimension to the College Search Process

BLOG HOP, DAY 9: So your son or daughter is starting the college search process. This is a stressful enough time for him or her -- and for you. Now add to it the fact that you'll have to put colleges through an extra filter: which ones can best serve gluten free students. The question is...do any of them really know what they're doing?  And if so, are there ample choices to make mealtime an enjoyable experience, not just another boring meal of the same "safe" options? 

It is with these questions in mind that our sister website, GlutenFreeTravelSite, recently began welcoming reviews of college dining services, submitted by students on gluten-free diets. Gluten free college students follow the steps for Submitting a Review as they would for a restaurant, store, hotel, or resort, but they choose "college" when prompted for the type of establishment they're reviewing.

 By adding colleges as a choice of venues to be reviewed, GlutenFreeTravelSite gives college students a way to share their feedback -- both positive and negative -- with current and prospective students who follow gluten-free diets. You can view the colleges reviewed thus far on our Gluten Free College Reviews page, which is organized in alphabetical order.

Our goal is to get reviews of as many colleges on our site as possible so students evaluating different colleges can get peer feedback on the “GF friendliness” of each institution they are considering. 

You can help us by forwarding this post -- and spreading the word to encourage all the gluten free college students you know to submit reviews to GlutenFreeTravelSite. That way, we can help as many gluten-free teenagers as possible as they embark upon their college selection process. 

Please share your thoughts in a comment below -- and receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs listed below. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

Best Restaurant Chains for Gluten Free Dining

 BLOG HOP, DAY 8: I know some of you may shy away from "chain" restaurants, preferring more "unique" or "sophisticated" fare. But “chain” doesn’t have to have a bad connotation. Just because a restaurant company has multiple locations -- either in a particular region or nationwide -- it doesn't mean they can't provide some of the best gluten-free meals around.  In fact, some of our family’s favorite places to dine are the more sophisticated and fun concepts that have taken off with the gluten-free set: Burton's Grill, Biaggi's, and Glory Days Grill. Even BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, originally known for their deep-dish pizza, now has a wonderful and extensive gluten-free menu, which includes gluten-free pizza and tons of other tasty options.

The main advantage of these restaurants is that they have printed gluten-free menus, so you know exactly what’s safe and what’s not, or if any substitutions need to be made. Because of this, the wait staff (and kitchen staff) are typically well-trained about the gluten-free offerings, but it’s still wise to be vigilant when ordering, as I've mentioned in past posts (staff turnover can be high in the restaurant business, which leaves the potential for slip-ups in even the most well-intentioned chains).

Some restaurant chains may have worked with one of the Celiac associations to gain GF certification or credentialing (GIG and NFCA both offer progams). Other restaurant chains may have thoroughly educated themselves -- or worked with nutritionists or dieticians with gluten free expertise.  If you're at all in doubt about how an item on the gluten free menu is prepared -- or if you're concerned about cross contamination in the kitchen -- don't be shy...ask questions!

The other advantage of restaurant chains is ubiquity. There are almost always one or two that offer GF options virtually wherever you travel. I can't tell you how many times we've traveled and been comforted seeing a chain restaurant that we know offers a reliable gluten free menu! When you're on the road, you can only dine at McDonald's so often!

We have a list of some of the best restaurant chains for gluten free dining on GlutenFreeTravelSite. Some of the regional chains may be new to you, like Rockfish (in TX and NC), Picazzo's (AZ), Sam and Louie's (IA, NE, MT, SD), Village Tavern (6 states), Fresh To Order (GA and TN), and Hearth and Kettle (MA). And did you know that Old Spaghetti Factory even has a gluten free menu with gluten free pasta? 

I'm curious...what's YOUR favorite national chain? Regional chain? Please share your thoughts in a comment below -- and receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs listed below. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

Tips for Dining Out Gluten Free At Restaurants

BLOG HOP, DAY 7: Much has already been written on the subjects of gluten free dining and "gluten free friendly" restaurants by those of us who provide gluten free dining resources on the web. However, many gluten free dining tips bear repeating, especially since all of us can be lulled into a false sense of complacency when dining out. Now that gluten free awareness has advanced beyond the point where people look at you like you have three heads when you bring up the words "Celiac Disease" or "gluten free," it is getting easier to find restaurants that understand our dietary requirements. However, there is a wide range of knowledge among restaurants...those that are simply trying to capitalize on the "gluten free trend" to those that know the important intracacies (like avoiding all the potential risks of cross contamination) and train their FULL staff (both front and back of house). And just because a restaurant offers a formal "Gluten Free Menu" doesn't mean the people in contact with your food are properly trained. The GF community learned that first-hand with the boggled introduction of a GF Menu at California Pizza Kitchen last year.

So...even if you're a seasoned veteran of dining out gluten free, please forward this post to anyone you know who might have been recently diagnosed -- or may need to be reminded of these important safeguards. 

1.) Research restaurants online and read reviews from others following gluten free diets. I launched GlutenFreeTravelSite four years ago to provide people in the GF community with a place to read personal, detailed dining and travel accounts from others with their same dietary needs and concerns. There is no better source for honest feedback, which can even vary among restaurants within the same chain. (You can also pull up the free MOBILE version of our site by entering our URL into the browser of any smart phone. It makes navigating the reviews on our site especially easy when you're on-the-go.)

2.) Call the chef at the restaurant ahead of time (even restaurants offering gluten free menus). Ask questions to assess their level of knowledge, especially with cross contamination. And do their merely adapt their "regular" menu, leaving off all the sauces and seasonings, or do they create more exciting, flavorful options? Request they make a note on your reservation so they can be reminded of your needs the day of your arrival.

3.) Don't leave home without Gluten Free Dining Cards, which help explain your gluten-free needs to servers, managers, and chefs at restaurants. There are several versions available for free online, but I like the bilingual laminated ones offered for a nominal price from Triumph Dining. They are available for 10 global cuisines (American, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, French, etc.). One side of the card is in English, and the other side is in the native language, so there’s never any issue of a language barrier. 

If you haven't already, be sure to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Each day we share restaurant reviews from users -- from fast food and neighborhood restaurants to chains and high-end restaurants. Tomorrow, I'll discuss top picks among national and regional restaurant chains offering gluten free menus. In the meantime, if you have a favorite dining spot, please leave a comment below -- and consider submitting a quick review to GlutenFreeTravelSite so others in the GF community can benefit from your valuable feedback! 

If you leave a comment below, you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs listed below. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

Best International Choices for Gluten Free Travelers

 BLOG HOP, DAY 6: Having wanderlust but wondering if you can successfully venture overseas while maintaining your gluten-free diet? Leaving the relative comfort of the U.S., with its growing awareness of Celiac, to travel into uncharted territory can spook even the most seasoned travelers. And it's no wonder...there are international destinations that consistently get high marks from gluten-free travelers -- and there are those you probably want to shy away from. Do some more detailed online research, and you'll see that...

Ireland gets top marks, due to its higher incidence (2%, vs. 1% for the U.S) of Celiac Disease. And Italy — ironically the land of pasta! -- has a high awareness and therefore a higher rate of diagnosis, even though their overall rate of Celiac is equivalent to ours (1%). Reviews are mixed, but it seems many restaurants understand the needs of their gluten-free diners and are able to offer plenty of gluten-free options, including GF pasta. 

Australia and New Zealand are very aware and accommodating to people on gluten-free diets, and the many GF-friendly choices there make finding a “safe” restaurant easy. We have a good number of reviews from this part of the world on our website, so check them out...it just might inspire you to plan a trip "down under."Other areas of the world — like Latin America and Africa — have less of a reliance on wheat and rely more on gluten-free grains like quinoa, rice, teff, and amaranth. Meals prepared with some of these grains can expose you to new tastes. In fact, many of these grains are gaining quite a following here in the U.S. (and not just in the GF community) for their wonderful taste and superior nutritional content. 

One place our family traveled last year -- which we admittedly found very difficult (although incredibly beautiful) -- was Paris. There was only one restaurant in the entire city that was gluten-free, and it was owned by a gentleman with Celiac who got so frustrated with the lack of "safe" places to eat in Paris that he opened his own restaurant. We had two wonderful dinners there, but unfortunately, the restaurant recently closed (I sent him an email to inquire as to where he is eating now...will let you know when I hear back if he has any recommendations!). You can read more about Paris in my comprehensive Blog post.

If you want to hear about favorite domestic OR international travel spots recommended by others on gluten-free diets, be sure to sign up for our free monthly e-letter. We always feature top-rated places, so it's a great way to get inspired to plan a trip of your own!

Have YOU had any good -- or bad -- experiences traveling gluten-free outside of the United States?  If so, leave a comment below and you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs listed below. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

 

Chuck E. Cheese to Offer Gluten Free Pizza and Cupcakes

Great news! Chuck E. Cheese's has announced in a Press Release that they will be test marketing a gluten free pizza and gluten free cupcakes at their Minnesota locations -- and will consider a nationwide rollout if all goes well. 

Unlike Domino's Pizza, which has been met with VERY mixed reactions over the past week based on the introduction of their own gluten-free pizza (which, by their own admission, is NOT Celiac safe, due to the very real potential for cross-contamination), Chuck E. Cheese's  will use gluten-free pizza by Conte's Pasta, which comes frozen in a pre-sealed bake-in-bag that remains sealed when cooking and will be served with a personal pizza cutter at the family's table. Done correctly, this reduces any potential for cross contamination. Gluten free chocolate cupcakes from Fabe's All Natural Bakery will also come in pre-sealed, single serve packaging. 

I, for one, am thrilled. While I can only tolerate the noise level at Chuck E. Cheese's so often (!), it is great to know my husband and I might be able to take BOTH our sons there -- or send them to birthday parties there -- knowing our younger son with Celiac Disease will have something safe to eat -- and not feel left out. 

It sounds like Chuck E. Cheese's is taking this one step at a time, and hopefully the taste of the pizza and cupcakes -- and support from the GF community -- will allow for a nationwide rollout sometime in the not-too-distant future. 

What's YOUR reaction to this announcement by Chuck E. Cheese's? I'd love to hear your comments below! 

Gluten Free Travel: GF Dining on Cruise Ships Has Come a Long Way

If your idea of the perfect vacation is a cruise with multiple ports-of-call, you're in luck...cruises are fast becoming one of the better options for gluten-free travelers. Most of the big cruise lines have policies in place to serve people with special dietary needs. If you've never cruised and have been hesitant for one reason or another, consider this...cruise vacations are mostly inclusive (excursions and alcoholic beverages are usually extra, as are spa treatments), and it gives you the opportunity to visit many destinations, while only unpacking once!

On our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite, we have links to many of the cruise lines and their GF policies on our Travel Resources page. Most cruise lines recommend noting your gluten-free needs at the time you — or your travel agent — makes the reservation. It’s a good idea to meet with the Maitre d’ upon arrival on your first day on the ship, too. That should enable you to articulate any preferences to the chef — and find out a bit more about the GF options on board. Some cruise lines may even tell you more about the gluten-free staples they stock on their ships when you first make your reservation — and they might also take specific requests for favorite brands. It doesn’t hurt to ask — you are a paying guest, and you have chosen their cruise line. It is in their interest to make you happy!

It is definitely worth mentioning, however, that many cruise lines don’t seem to be very consistent in satisfying their gluten-free guests. It can vary from ship to ship, region to region — and may have a lot to do with the knowledge of the particular Executive Chef in charge. We have received many reviews of cruise lines on GlutenFreeTravelSite. Most can be found on our Caribbean page of reviews. Generally, the ratings are favorable, with the higher-end lines like Celebrity getting the best ratings. One parting bit of wisdom: Take a bag of non-perishable food like crackers, snack bars, cereal, and even your favorite bread. That way, if you're disappointed in the selection or brands of GF food offered, you'll have a back-up!

Have YOU taken a cruise recently? On what line? Were you pleased -- or disappointed? Please share your comments below -- and then perhaps take a few minutes to submit a more detailed review on our website so other Celiacs searching for feedback will benefit from your feedback! 

Have a comment on today's post? If so, leave it below and you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs listed below. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

 

 

Best Hotels and Resorts For Gluten Free Travelers

BLOG HOP, DAY 4: In my post a few days ago I talked about choosing a condo or hotel that comes equipped with a kitchen, kitchenette -- or at the very least, a mini fridge and microwave --  when traveling. But there will be times this isn't possible -- like at some resorts. Then you'll need to spend a little more time in advance of your trip ensuring you'll be able to safely eat at the restaurants available to you.

First, call the resort (or hotel) and ask to speak with the Executive Chef to asses his or her gluten-free knowledge. Ask what type of choices you’ll have for meals — and if they don’t offer some of your favorite staples (a certain type of gluten-free pasta, bread, or pizza, for example), ask if you can ship some things on dry ice to arrive a few days before your stay. There’s a pretty big range of gluten-free knowledge when it comes to chefs. If you’re okay with “the path of least resistance” that some chefs take (serving you some form of protein — like plain, grilled chicken without sauce — and a baked potato and steamed veggies), that’s fine. But if you prefer more interesting preparations full of flavor and sauces, you’ll want to keep looking until you find a hotel or resort that is more creative with fancier GF food preparation. 

Some hotel chains have recently begun rolling out gluten-free breakfasts and an array of gourmet gluten-free choices in their restaurants. Particularly noteworthy are the Omni, Fairmont, Ritz Carlton, and now Hyatt chains. Many Club Med and Sandals & Beaches resorts also make an effort to accommodate gluten-free travelers, although it seems a bit inconsistent across properties (call before booking!). And then there are countless independent B&Bs and resorts both in the U.S. and overseas that are "GF friendly." There's something for everyone if you search the travel reviews on our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite. I was recently recommending honeymoon destinations to a GF friend, and my recommendations ranged from a hotel on Kauai to a resort in Phuket, Thailand to a cruise! Heck, there's even a dude ranch in Arizona that goes the extra mile to “wow” gluten-free guests!

What's the most memorable place YOU'VE ever stayed? Leave a comment below and you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs listed below. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

 

The Gluten-Free Travel "Gold Standard" -- Disney World, Orlando

 BLOG HOP, DAY 3: Yesterday, I recommended some top cities in the U.S. for gluten free travel. I touched on the Orlando area of Florida, noting how "gluten free friendly" Disney World and its parks, hotels, and resorts are. (To read peer reviews of Disney's  restaurants from a GF perspective, enter Lake Beuna Vista into the search box on our Search/Mapping page of GlutenFreeTravelSite). In fact, whether you are a fan of "the mouse" or not, it's hard to argue with the fact that Disney World has become somewhat of the “gold standard” for “gluten-free friendly” travel destinations. They were early to embrace special dietary needs of all sorts, likely due to the rising prevalence of Celiac Disease, dietary intolerances, and allegies -- especially in children. They know that family travelers are their bread and butter, and no family destination wants kids to feel left out for any reason. So instead, they make kids (and adults) with special dietary needs feel like rock stars.

Their attention to detail and desire to accommodate all diners has earned them an especially devoted following in the gluten-free community. When you dine at a sit-down restaurant at any of Disney World’s hotels, resorts, or parks, a chef personally visits your table to discuss your dining options. Even “quick service” restaurants make sure a manager is available — and well-trained to know what is safe to order if you’re following a GF or other special diet. I wrote a detailed article about our family’s magical experience at Disney World a couple years ago.

One important note: You can expect similar high-touch service at Disneyland, but NOT Disneyland PARIS. Our family visited Disneyland PARIS a year ago, and it could not have been less accommodating. Their lack of gluten free knowledge — and the almost non-existent GF options at their restaurants — reminded us of the level of GF knowledge in the U.S. about 7-8 years ago. You can read my Blog post about our experience. 

So stay stateside if a trip to Disney is on your radar, and get ready to feel like a true gluten-free prince or princess!

Have a comment on today's post? If so, leave it below and you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry

Great Bets for Gluten Free Travel in the United States

BLOG HOP, DAY TWO: In this second installment of my Gluten Free Dining and Travel Series, I wanted to cover the subject of gluten free DOMESTIC travel opportunities. I'll be covering international locales in another post.

When it comes to locations in the U.S. that afford gluten free travelers plenty of safe dining options, there's no better place to start than our annual contest winners. Each year, GlutenFreeTravelSite awards one particular location the title of “World’s Most Celiac-Friendly Destination.” The contest recognizes locations that offer a wide range of dining choices for people following gluten-free diets. The results are determined by tallying the number of user-submitted dining and travel reviews received throughout the year for each location on GlutenFreeTravelSite. Here's what I'd recommend if you want to if you want a true "vacation from worry." These destinations have so many GF dining options, you'll want to extend your trip!

2008 Winner: New York

Not surprisingly, New York was the winner in the first year of our contest. New York -- especially Manhattan -- is a great place to visit if you have Celiac Disease. Awareness is good, and restaurants are eager to cater to the increasing number of local and visiting GF patrons. Gluten Free diners have their pick of many regional and national chain restaurants with gluten-free menus, as well as numerous independent neighborhood restaurants throughout the state -- some with gluten-free menus and others willing to tailor just about anything on their menu, within reason. You'll find many small, independent restaurants that offer GF menus -- many times as a result of a family member or friend being diagnosed with Celiac. Scan our page of New York reviews or better yet, enter a specific town or zip code on our Search/Mapping page.

2009 Winner: Florida 

Florida was the winning destination our second year, due in large part to the numerous reviews submitted for the Disney properties.  So if you have kids (or just love theme parks), you really ought to consider a trip to Disney World. It's become the “gold standard” in terms of catering to guests with special dietary needs. Disney takes this job seriously, and they do a great job of making everyone feel welcome at their restaurants, parks, and resorts. There are gluten free options available on the menu at almost any Disney-operated restaurant, and the chef or manager will personally discuss safe menu options with you. Plus, the entire Orlando area and other Florida cities are also home to many national restaurant chains that have developed Gluten Free Menus. Read Florida reviews or enter a specific town (Lake Buena Vista for Disney) or zip code on our Search/Mapping page.

2010 Winner: The Washington, DC Metro area (including Maryland and Virginia suburbs) 

The Washington, DC metro area had a particularly impressive showing in 2010. Reviews of many independent restaurants as well as chain restaurants offering gluten-free menus give visitors to the D.C. area a wide a range of “safe” choices. No matter what type of food you desire -- haute cuisine or casual family dining, Italian or Ethiopian -- you can always find plenty of places offering great gluten-free options. Read Washington DC reviews or enter a specific zip code on our Search/Mapping page.

2011 Winner: California 

Californians have always been at the forefront in the areas of health and wellness. Northern Californian restaurateurs, in particular, have risen to the challenge once again and met the demand for gluten-free options. Visitors to this state will typically be met with knowledgeable and accommodating chefs that are aware of the gluten-free diet and its importance. When dining at a restaurant, just be sure to let the server, manager, or chef know that you require a gluten-free diet out of medical necessity, since there are many celebrities in California (and elsewhere) who follow a gluten-free diet by choice. Scan our California reviews or enter a specific town or zip code on our Search/Mapping page. 

Happy Traveling...we look forward to hearing about your journey -- and receiving your reviews of the places you discover!

Have a comment on today's post? If so, leave it below and you'll receive one entry into our giveaway of a $25 P.F. Chang's gift card, to be selected at random from all entries received by May 18, 2012, the last day of our Blog hop. Each person is allowed one entry/comment per day for each of the 10 days of posts (May 7-11 and May 14-18), for a total of 10 entries on THIS Blog. You have the same opportunity for entering a total of 10 times for the giveaways on the other 9 Blogs. The giveaway is limited to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The Giveaway begins May 7, 2012, and ends at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 18, 2012. No purchse is necessary. Odds of winning are based on the number of entries. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, a new winner will be randomly chosen. 

Would you like to get more great gluten-free tips on baking, dining out, and kitchen tips? Check out today's posts from other Blog Hop participants: 

Getting Started - Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker 
Resources – Wendy at Celiacs in the House
Eating Out – Heather at Gluten-Free Cat
Frugal Tips – Janelle at Gluten Freely Frugal
Cooking – Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
Baking – Jules at Jules Gluten Free
Kids – Lynn at Lynn’s Recipe Adventures
Lunch Boxes – Tessa at Tessa the Domestic Diva
Shopping – Laura at Gluten Free Pantry