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Travel Resources
U.S.-based and Global Celiac Associations
In addition to Searching Reviews here on GlutenFreeTravelSite for informative first-hand travel and dining reviews from others on gluten-free diets, it's a good idea to contact asupport group in the area you plan to travel. Many times they will be able to provide you with a list of Celiac-friendly restaurants and grocery stores that offer gluten-free foods. Here's a list of the well-known Celiac associations, both in the U.S. and worldwide... their websites have contact information and often list support groups/chapters.
The Canadian Celiac Association lists their affiliated chapters at celiac.ca
The Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS) lists chapters across Europe at aoecs.org.
Gluten Free Pages at glutenfreepages.com.au is an Australian site created to solve gluten free living and lifestyle issues for those living in or traveling to Australia. Its listings of accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores, and g-f food manufacturers -- as well as its forums and articles -- are a great help to anyone planning a trip to this part of the world.
Find country-by-country lists of other Celiac societies and their contact information at both of the following websites: Celiac Travel and celiacdisease.about.com
Trip Planning
For help with the research and legwork that goes into planning a gluten-free trip, call Travel Leaders travel agency. Doreen Costa, based in their Boston office, can tap her immense resources and experience in planning trips and offer you a level of personal service you just don't find in today's do-it-yourself environment. It doesn't cost any more to use a travel agent than booking direct with a travel provider, and nine times out of ten, they can save you money by accessing deals you may not be aware of. Call Doreen at 800-487-6110, and mention you heard about her through GlutenFreeTravelSite.com so she takes extra-special care of you.
Visit bobandruths.com to sign up for their Gluten Free Dining and Travel club, including a gluten-free travel newsletter. They'll keep you posted on all their gluten-free getaways they plan all over the world. They're like gluten-free travel agents, planning trips to exotic locales, and doing all the legwork to make sure all the meals on the trip are safe and gluten-free.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles—Tips for Gluten Free Travel, an article by Danna Korn published in Celiac.com's Scott Free newsletter can be read at celiac.com.
The Coeliac Society of Victoria, Australia, has produced the pocket-sized Gluten Free Travel Guide covering 80 countries that includes well-known gluten-free brands of food, where to buy them, translations, useful words and phrases to use when ordering, and more. You can order the guide for around $20 US dollars (with shipping) at vic.coeliacsociety.com.au or by emailing vic@coeliacsociety.com.au
Hotels and Resorts
Sandals and Beaches Resorts
If you are looking for either an adults-only or a family-friendly all-inclusive vacation, you can't go wrong with Sandals or Beaches. The food is delicious, there are many dining options, and they are eager to accommodate gluten-free diets.
Visit sandals.com or call 1-888-BEACHES.
Disney World
By now, you probably have heard from numerous sources how Disney World is the gold standard for gluten-free dining. A trip to Disney World truly means leaving your worries and home and letting someone else prepare safe and delicious gluten-free meals for you and your family. There's virtually no need to bring any of your own food, and with just a phone call to the parks' Special Dining departments or an email to Theresa.Joiner@disney.com, you can get gluten-free menus from each of Disney World's theme parks emailed directly to you before your trip. For special dietary requests at Magic Kingdom, call (407) 824-5967. For EPCOT, call (407) 560-6395. For Hollywood Studios, call (407) 560-3551. For Animal Kingdom, call (407) 938-3288. You can also visit a special page on their website for more information on special dietary requests. One recommendation: if you're staying at a Disney resort, the menu plan can't be beat for value and convenience (you'll save hundreds of dollars off what you'd pay for similar meals without the plan). For more information and reservations (just have them note "gluten-free" on your reservation), call 407-WDW-DINE.
Paradise Palms Resort Luxury Vacation Home Rentals in Orlando, Florida area We all know how great an experience Disney World is for those of us on gluten-free diets. Most restaurants in the parks have at least a few gluten-free options on the menu. But if you still prefer to cook some of your own meals—and stay in a spacious home with multiple bedrooms, instead of being cramped in one or two hotel rooms, you should consider a luxury vacation home rental at the brand-new Pardise Palms Resort. Their professionally furnished three, four, and five bedroom townhomes with private pools give you room to spread out and a full gourmet kitchen for preparing your meals.
Paradise Palms is located in Kissimmee, Florida, within just 10 minutes of Disney World and other local parks and attractions. You have all the advantages of a private villa accompanied by all the amenities of a luxury resort, including their Tropical Oasis swimming pool, fitness center, game room, movie theater, business center, concierge and more. We've even negotiated a 10% discount when you book through the agency "Florida Scandanavian Vacation Homes and Management." Call 800-380-8961, and ask for Marion. Tell Marion you learned about Paradise Palms on GlutenFreeTravelSite and mention Code "GFT." You can also email Christa for more information about Paradise Palms and traveling gluten-free to the Orlando area.
Timeshare Rentals and Resales -- Offering Everything from Rustic Vacation Lodgings to Luxury Resorts Staying at a hotel is often difficult for people following gluten-free diets. Without access to a kitchen, you are limited in the meals you can prepare -- and you are left with little choice but to eat most meals out, which, depending on the location, can be risky and expensive. That's why purchasing or renting a timeshare is an excellent option for people who feel more comfortable preparing their own food, as all timeshare suites come with full-equipped kitchens or kitchenettes. Sell My Timeshare NOW is the world's #1 trusted reseller and renter of timeshare properties, and their expert staff is committed to helping potential vacation property owners and renters find the exact right timeshare resort for them. Many top vacation destinations are located in major cities, from Las Vegas to Orlando to Cancun, where there are a variety of restaurants and local health food stores available. Vacationing in these spots increases the likelihood that there will be multiple options for gluten-free meals to be enjoyed -- both out on the town and in your suite. For assistance in finding the perfect vacation home or rental, email Sell My Timeshare NOW or call toll-free 877-815-4227.
Marriott Vacation Club
If you're a regular traveler who likes to have a fully equipped kitchen for safely preparing some of your own meals, Marriott's Vacation Club is a great option to consider. Check out all their great time-share resort locations where you and your family can vacation -- knowing you can safely prepare your own gluten-free meals even when there aren't "safe" restaurants nearby.
Cruises
Disney Cruise Lines
As expected, Disney works its magic for the gluten-free diners on both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder cruise ships. Much like the Disney World theme parks, there is a genuine effort made to accommodate special diets. You'll leave your worries at home when you book one of their 3, 4 or 7-night cruises at disney.com.
Carnival Cruise Lines
This cruise line is willing and able to prepare gluten-free meals and typically keeps gluten-free bread, pasta, pizza and other specialty foods on board for the many requests they are now receiving. Visit Carnival Cruise Lines or call 1-800-438-6744 x70025 for assistance booking a cruise and noting your special gluten-free requests. A note will be made on your reservation, but you are also encouraged to fill out a form and to remind your waiter and maitre'd of your when boarding. You are welcome to bring your own non-perishable food as well.
Air Travel
To find a list of which airlines make gluten-free meals available—and how much advance notice is required—visit Gluten Free Passport.
Restaurant Guides
Triumphdining.com sells a good Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide listing chains and independent restaurants in the U.S. that accommodate gluten-free diets. While it doesn't include personal reviews like this site, it's another great resource when you're looking for new ideas for safe places to dine in your area or while traveling. They also sell reasonably-priced and handy bilingual Dining Cards for most global cuisines (American, Italian, Chinese, French, Vietnamese, etc). They help you communicate effectively with chefs/managers/servers by explaining the gluten-free diet and specific foods to be aware of. We never leave home without them!
Clanthompson pocket guides are handy guides for keeping in a purse or briefcase and even more useful when traveling. The guides cover food, restaurants, prescription and OTC drugs, beer/wine/spirits, and other miscellaneous items. Go to clanthompson.com to learn more.
There are several great ones, including one from clanthompson.com and one just updated from Triumphdining.com called the Essential Gluten-Free Grocery Guide, listing over 20,000 gluten-free grocery items.
The most extensive listing comes in the form of the CSA Gluten-Free Product Listing, a 3-ring binder from the Celiac Sprue Association. With 450 pages of product listings and useful information, it?s well worth the $30. You can order at 877-272-4272 or csaceliacs.org.
It also pays to visit the Whole Foods website when planning a trip. They have one of the best selections of gluten-free food (especially their own delicious Gluten Free Bakehouse line), and you can also pick up one of their free in-store guides with a category-by-category listing of their gluten-free foods. Their store locator on their website will let you know if they have a store where you'll be traveling.
Easy-To-Prepare Gluten Free Meals -- Perfect for Home or Travel
No time to cook at home? Traveling somewhere where the gluten-free meal options are questionable? No worries...here's a great website to check out for ready-to-cook gluten-free (any often casein-free) meals: gfmeals.com. They ship nationwide to your door and offer individual menu choices, as well as specially priced packages that allow you to sample a variety of their entrees, sides, and baked goods. It's a delicious and convenient way to eat gluten-free!
Mixes From the Heartland is a company based in Texas that just happens to have the largest and most varied line of gluten-free products in the U.S.-- all available via mail order. They're the greatest gluten-free company you may never have heard of! Their assortment includes over 300 gluten-free products, primarily easy-to-prepare mixes for those "almost homemade" meals. The mixes -- which range from entrees to sides to soups to baked goods and desserts -- are great when you're pressed for time. (You usually only need to add 1-3 ingredients to the dry mix...like adding chicken or sausage, crushed tomatoes, and water to their Cajun Pastalaya Soup mix to create a hearty meal.) They're also perfect if you're traveling and will have access to a kitchen (i.e. if you're renting a condo or staying with family) but don't know what gluten-free items the local stores will have. These items can be ordered and sent ahead to your destination (no need for dry ice) or literally packed in your suitcase.
Gluten Free Delivery Orlando is a new company that offers 2-day, 4-day, and 7-day supplies of gluten-free groceries for travelers visiting the Orlando area -- and there's no charge for delivery to your hotel or condo. Each "day" supply of food for one person includes a full breakfast (including fresh fruit, juice, coffee, and milk), lunch, and plentiful snacks. It will save you from making trips to local grocery stores to hunt down gluten-free foods, and it's easier, cheaper, and more reliable than eating out. The only meal you'll have to plan is dinner! Their prices are reasonable, and they offer four different types of gluten-free packages: Basic, Casein-Free, Chocolate Lovers, and Healthy Food Lovers.
Everything Gluten-Free
Whether you're looking for gluten-free food, gluten-free vitamins, or books about gluten-free living, you'll find it at The Gluten Free Mall. This online superstore has been in business for 10 years and has the best prices and selection of gluten-free and other special dietary products on the Internet.
Great Books
There are now literally hundreds of books and cookbooks covering the topic of how to manage a gluten-free diet -- without giving up taste or convenience. Living Gluten-Free for Dummies, by Danna Korn, is a great place to start. This book and hundreds of other helpful ones are available at amazon.com. , often at everyday discount prices. Orders over $25 qualify for FREE Super-Saver shipping.
Cookbooks
Nearly Normal Cooking for Gluten-Free Eating by Jules E.D. Shepard has recently gained critical acclaim. Find this and the most complete selection of other gluten-free cookbooks at amazon.com.
Magazines and Newsletters
If you're not familiar with Living Without, it's a phenomenal bi-monthly lifestyle magazine for people with a range of allergies and other food sensitivities, including Celiac. You can sign up for a subscription at livingwithout.com. Be sure to also check out a few of their own travel reviews at: spr08disney.html, lifestyle-beckmann.html and lifestyle-tennessee.html
Celiac.com's Guide to a Scott Free Life Without Gluten newsletter. Sign up for a quarterly subscription at celiac.com.
Blogs/Forums
Don't miss our very own GlutenFreeTravelBlog which, together with the valuable feedback you'll get from reading the reviews on GlutenFreeTravelSite.com, will help make dining and traveling gluten-free easy and enjoyable.
Celiac.com's forum is great if you're looking to network and communicate with others via an online community.
Visit Celiac Chicks for news, events in the New York City area, product information, recipes and more.
Gluten Free Bowl of Soul will warm your heart -- and whet your appetite -- as blogger Aimee Eiguren shares stories of living a life of gluten-free abundance in and around the Reno and San Francisco areas -- as well as on her travels.
Visit glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com for recipes and life experiences of "Gluten Free Girl" Shauna James Ahern, author of the book Gluten Free Girl, rated as one of the Best Books of 2007 by Amazon.com.
Gluten Free Blog covers topics relevant to the Celiac community, including medical news plus gluten-free recipes, food, product and event information.
GlutenFreeMom.com is a really thorough and helpful site that offers tips for getting started on a gluten-free diet -- and even has lists of favorite brands of numerous gluten-free foods. You'll also find information on how to help kids stay g-f at school/birthday parties/sleepovers, and a sample letter to teachers.
Gluten Free Frenzy Blog shares recipes, product suggestions and gluten-free commentary.
The links to the websites above are provided as a resource only. These third-party sites are not affiliated with GlutenFreeTravelSite.com, and GlutenFreeTravelSite.com is not responsible for their content.
Sandals and Beaches Resorts
Disney World
We all know how great an experience Disney World is for those of us on gluten-free diets. Most restaurants in the parks have at least a few gluten-free options on the menu. But if you still prefer to cook some of your own meals—and stay in a spacious home with multiple bedrooms, instead of being cramped in one or two hotel rooms, you should consider a luxury vacation home rental at the brand-new Pardise Palms Resort. Their professionally furnished three, four, and five bedroom townhomes with private pools give you room to spread out and a full gourmet kitchen for preparing your meals. 
Paradise Palms is located in Kissimmee, Florida, within just 10 minutes of Disney World and other local parks and attractions. You have all the advantages of a private villa accompanied by all the amenities of a luxury resort, including their Tropical Oasis swimming pool, fitness center, game room, movie theater, business center, concierge and more. We've even negotiated a 10% discount when you book through the agency "
Timeshare Rentals and Resales -- Offering Everything from Rustic Vacation Lodgings to Luxury Resorts Staying at a hotel is often difficult for people following gluten-free diets. Without access to a kitchen, you are limited in the meals you can prepare -- and you are left with little choice but to eat most meals out, which, depending on the location, can be risky and expensive. That's why purchasing or renting a 
Marriott Vacation Club 
Disney Cruise Lines
To find a list of which airlines make gluten-free meals available—and how much advance notice is required—visit 
Triumphdining.com
No time to cook at home? Traveling somewhere where the gluten-free meal options are questionable? No worries...here's a great website to check out for ready-to-cook gluten-free (any often casein-free) meals: 
Mixes From the Heartland
Gluten Free Delivery Orlando
, often at everyday discount prices. Orders over $25 qualify for FREE Super-Saver shipping.
If you're not familiar with Living Without, it's a phenomenal bi-monthly lifestyle magazine for people with a range of allergies and other food sensitivities, including Celiac. You can sign up for a subscription at 
