Top 10 Tips for Travelling as a Vegan/Vegetarian

(1) Learn Useful Phrases

This tip is very important when you are travelling to countries where English is not the national language. You will have to learn some phrases such as ‘I do not eat meat, fish or cheese.’ 

Saying that you are vegan or vegetarian in the local language is not enough. In some cultures veganism and vegetarianism is still a new concept, so you will have to be extremely clear on your dietary requirements. Keep in mind that in some cultures, refusing to eat someone’s food can be seen as offensive. When requesting a vegan or vegetarian meal in the local language please be apologetic and polite and they will be happy to help you.

(2) Find Local Vegans

Before travelling to your destination, do your research on the Vegan and Vegetarian community in the country or city you are visiting. See if there are any events happening where you can meet other vegans that can further help you enjoy the local cuisine in the vegan/vegetarian way.

(3) Pack Your Emergency Food Stash

While you are out exploring, vegan and vegetarian snack options will not always be readily available. In response to this, we would suggest for you to carry around granola, dried fruits, or energy bars. So when you randomly get hungry you can quickly grab one of your snacks. In addition, always ensure you pack up a larger stash of vegan/vegetarian snacks in your luggage as back up.

Bonus Tip -

Pack a snack or two for the flight. Don’t rely on plane food, as they most likely will not have vegetarian or vegan options in their menu.

(4) Research Vegan Restaurants at Your Destination

Look up the vegetarian restaurants and cafés in your destination. There are apps/websites such as Happy Cow or Vegan Passport. These apps/websites give you a full comprehensive list of vegan restaurants in your destination.  In addition, the online platforms also have honest reviews, so this will give you a clearer idea of which restaurants to visit during your trip.

(5) Check Vegan/Vegetarian Options with Hotel

When booking accommodation remember to check to see if they provide any vegan/vegetarian options in their menu.

(6) Book Accommodation with a Kitchen

If you want to have more control over your vegan/vegetarian options. You can book apartments or hotels with kitchens. You can book this type of accommodation through AirBnB.

This will give you the opportunity to shop for your favourite ingredients and it will enable you to have more control over what you are eating. You can also pack some food for when you are going out.

Bonus Tip:- If you are going to be cooking often during your trip, you may want to book accommodation near a supermarket.

(7) Book a Vegan Friendly Hotel

Alternatively you can find vegan friendly accommodation if you want the full vegan/experience. In the hotel it is very likely that the guests will also be vegan so you will have a greater chance of meeting new people that will share advice, recommendations and tips during your trip.

(8) Be Clear and Ask for what you want

When you visit a restaurant. Please be aware that you do not have to order what is on the menu. The chef can create a vegan/vegetarian dish for you according to your request.  Please ensure that you are nice, respectful and polite and they will be happy to help you out.

(9) Eat Little Amounts Throughout the Day

Get used to eating small amounts throughout the day. Fruits, nuts, vegetables always take food with you. This will keep the hunger away and keep you satisfied.

(10) Get Involved In the Culture

Before booking your trip ensure that you research the all the national local vegan/vegetrarian dishes and make sure you try them all. See it as one big adventure and remember to fully enjoy the moment.

Barcelona Travel Guide

Barcelona, Spain is a wonderful city.  It is full of life, culture and full of sun.The locals speak Catalan. They also speak Spanish. So to get a taste of the local lifestyle, remember to greet locals by saying ‘Bon dia’ (Good Morning), ‘Bona tarda’(Good Afternoon) or ‘Bon vespre’ (Good Evening).  These greetings are sure to start things on a positive note when interacting with the locals.

In Barcelona, there is so much to do. It’s the place for shopaholics, football fans, creatives, designers and architects. It has something for every body. If you are a true shopaholic you have to check out Passieg de Gràcia. It is one of Barcelona’s prominent shopping and business areas. It has all the top global brands and designer brands. The area has a lot of wonderful architecture and culture. It is said to be the most expensive street in Spain. Another shopping hotspot is Barri de Gracia. In this cool urban location there are small fashion boutiques, if you are looking make a few unique purchases.

If you are a football fan you have to make some time to catch a football game at Camp Nou. It doesn’t matter what football team you support at home. It is truly a great opportunity to experience The Barcelona Football Team and enjoy the epic atmosphere in the stadium.

If you want some design inspiration you should make time to visit Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.  No trip to Barcelona is complete without making a visit here. It is still under construction, but seeing the structure in real life is truly breathtaking. If you want avoid waiting in long queues for hours you should get a ticket online and this will fast track you to gain access. Another famous building to check out is the Casa Batlló in the center of Barcelona. Antoni Gaudí redesigned it. Throughout Barcelona you will see more amazing buildings designed by the famous architect, such as the Casa Milà and many more.

La Pedrera

In addition, you should check out Las Ramblas. It is so vibrant, full of energy and there is so much to see and do. Also, definitely explore Mercat de la Boqueria it’s a super cool market, full of fresh produce and it is a wonderful opportunity to try some Catalan cuisine.

Barcelona

Pickpocketing Hotspots in Barcelona

When it comes to being a victim of pickpocketing. We believe prevention is better than the cure. So we wanted to share the pickpocketing hotspots so you are vigilant, prepared and two steps ahead. Please be aware that pickpockets change their location from time to time. But from our experience we have managed to find the common hot spots where pickpockets operate in Barcelona.

Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is a huge tourist location. The street is buzzing with noise, activity, crowds and movement. It is very easy to get lost in the distraction and become a target for a pickpocket. When in Las Ramblas be very vigilant or better still you can bring your High Spirit backpack with you for extra security for your belongings. The backpack with zips against your back will prevent any pickpockets from stealing your possessions. This will enable you to fully be care-free, especially in places where large crowds gather and there is a lot of entertainment going on.

Sagrada Familia

Pickpockets have been known to operate in this area. Due to the fact that it is a famous tourist attraction, pickpockets will be waiting around to take advantage of their target. In addition, they have been known to target people waiting in queues, so make sure you have your belongings stashed away in your High Spirit backpack or leave your more important items locked in the hotel.

The Metro

Millions of people travel through the Metro, but there have been many pickpocketing incidents in the Metro stations in different locations across the city. As it is a crowded and enclosed place remember to stay vigilant throughout your metro travels.