Are you afraid that being vegan is going to ruin travel? Maybe you’re worried that you’ll be stuck with a side salad and French fries for dinner while your travel companions enjoy a meat-and-cheese-filled feast. Or perhaps you picture yourself spending hours traipsing across town in search of the one vegetarian restaurant, only to find that it’s closed.
I definitely had the same fears when I was first thinking about going vegan. I wish I had known then what I know now. Not only would my travels not be ruined, they were about to get a whole lot better!
Follow these tips, and yours will too…
Don’t panic.
There will be plenty of naysayers claiming that it’s impossible to be vegan in [insert your next travel destination here]. Heck, even your guide book might tell you not to bother. It’s easy to believe that people who speak with such authority must know what they are talking about. They don’t!
Take a deep breath, and relax. With a little creativity, vegan travel is possible in even the most meat-obsessed corners of the world. And in most places, it’s not just possible, it’s an absolute joy.
- Strap on your tool belt.
There are a few tools that will make your life MUCH easier when you’re on the road. If you have a smartphone, the first two apps you should download are the HappyCow app and The Vegan Passport.
HappyCow is a worldwide directory of vegan and veg-friendly restaurants.
The Vegan Passport, on the other hand, is a multilingual vegan phrasebook that includes a whopping 78 languages.
And if you don’t have a smartphone, don’t worry. The full HappyCow directory is available for free on the HappyCow website, while The Vegan Passport also comes as a paperback booklet.
- Pack your emergency food stash.
In most cases, you’ll find more than enough to eat at your destination. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to keep some snacks on hand just in case. Even if you don’t end up eating them, the peace of mind you will gain is worth the extra bit of space in your luggage.
Granola, dried fruits and nuts, energy bars, and vegan jerky are all good choices for your emergency stash.
If you take milk in your coffee or tea, some powdered soy milk might be a good idea. And if you tend to crave something sweet at the end of a meal, consider packing a dark chocolate bar or two.
- Ask for what you want.
When eating out in restaurants, you are NOT limited to what’s on the menu. If there aren’t any suitable choices listed, don’t be afraid to ask if the chef can create a vegan dish for you. If you ask politely, most restaurants will be happy to accommodate you.
- Get ready for an adventure.
Your experience will largely be determined by your own attitude and perceptions. Treat each obstacle not as a problem but as a puzzle to be solved, and you are sure to enjoy your travels much more.
If you look for scarcity and lack, then that’s exactly what you’ll find. But if instead you approach vegan travel with a sense of adventure and excitement about making new discoveries, then you’ll be on a sure path to abundance!
About the author:
Wendy Werneth is a nomadic traveller and vegan foodie who seeks out vegan treasures in the most unlikely places. She’s on a mission to show you how you can be vegan anywhere and spread compassion everywhere! You can follow her adventures at The Nomadic Vegan and on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. For even more vegan travel tips, download her free ebook, “9 Steps for Easy Vegan Travel”.
