Traveling Across Europe With AGS
For many people, planning a trip to Europe involves booking flights and accommodations, researching sights to see, and shopping for outfits. When planning for my family’s trip this June, I did all of the above. But, as someone with alpha-gal syndrome, there was a whole other side of the trip that I had to plan for – how to eat. Eating in the States is hard enough, but when you add in a tight schedule, new foods, and a language barrier, it’s a whole different kettle of fish. Here is how I managed my food allergies while also fully taking in the European experience.
The absolute best hack we found was working with a travel agent who specializes in managing trips with food allergies. Lauren Scheffer, whose company is Food Allergy Getaways, helped us plan every step of the trip, including reservations and activities, and also food. Lauren researched and contacted restaurants ahead of time to narrow down to the options that could accommodate an alpha-gal allergy. She also shared priceless tips throughout the process on how to safely enjoy Europe. I am not sure if our trip would have been possible without her and I know for sure that it would not have been as stress-free and enjoyable.
Some of the tips we found to be most important include :
Bringing at least two EpiPens (or other form of epinephrine) with you whenever you leave the house, but especially when you are flying halfway across the world;
Using EqualEats food allergy cards to help communicate with people about dietary needs in different languages. Google Translate is always a viable backup, but it is good to have a physical card that waiters can take back to the kitchen, write on, etc. We found that most people in France and Spain spoke at least a little English, but these cards were helpful in communicating the nuances of an alpha-gal allergy (for example, to translate “carrageenan”);
Packing a separate suitcase with non-perishable snacks. That way you can take snacks with you whenever you are sightseeing or traveling, and you know you have safe foods with you, regardless of the options available at restaurants or airports;
Including some personal tours of sights, if possible, as they are better able to accommodate food needs than large group tours are.
Another suggestion that Lauren helped us with in our planning was, in each location, we booked an apartment to stay in (rather than a hotel) so we would have a small kitchen to cook in. She also created a personalized digital map for the areas we visited where, in addition to the restaurants she had verified were safe for us, she also marked nearby supermarkets so that we could grab groceries once we arrived. (Whenever arriving at an accommodation with a kitchen, just be sure to thoroughly wash all the cooking utensils before using them, to be sure to avoid allergens.)
The first stop on our trip was London, and we took a direct overnight flight from Nashville. We packed a dinner and breakfast for the plane because, even though they served meals on the flight, we did not feel comfortable that options were safe for those of us with AGS. We made it to our accommodation around noon and immediately found a Ukrainian vegan cafe called Cream Dream. We ate there multiple times throughout our stay in London, and I tried the Donetsk Chicken, Varenyky with Chicken, the Purr Honey Cake, and the Ksuyberry Marzipan Tart. Everything was delicious, and the interior is really nicely decorated. In London, we also ate at Bill’s Covent Garden Restaurant, where I had the eggplant steak, and Cotto, a really welcoming, family-owned gluten-free Italian place, where I had the Linguine Gamberetti. During a day trip to the Cotswolds, we ate at L’antra, an Italian place in Bourton-on-the-Water, where I tried the Pasta Arrabiata and Margherita Pizza. While in London, we also visited Amorino for the first time. While they are famous for their gelato, the sorbet was safe for those of us with AGS, and it was delicious! They have a special protocol for food allergies, and we always felt safe eating there - Amorino is a chain, so there were locations in every major city we visited, which was a highlight! We often skipped dessert at restaurants and instead wandered the streets of whichever city we were in to find an Amorino. My go-to order was half chocolate, half strawberry – delicious!
We took the Eurostar to Paris and, just like we did on the flight to London, we packed our own lunch. In Paris, we ate at two delicious places. The first was Su Misura, a gluten-free Italian cafe right next to the Eiffel Tower! My mom is gluten-free, so it was a great option for her, and I had the Margherita Pizza without cheese. We also ate at B. Better, a vegan cafe on a picturesque Parisian street, where I had a Beyond Burger and my first glass of vegan wine (as the legal age for consuming alcohol is 18 in France). Animal-derived ingredients are used in the filtration process of some wines, so always be sure to check for those before drinking; Barnivore is a helpful resource. We also found a gluten-free bakery called Copains. While not all their baked goods were alpha-gal-safe, they had plenty to choose from that were, and we tried the beignets, which were absolutely delicious!
Our next stop was Nice in the south of France. We took the train there, as well, and our experience in being prepared proved valuable because our train broke down in St-Rafael, which was a little over an hour from Nice. Luckily, we had snacks with us and found an outdoor cafe at La Place Coullet, a large courtyard with booths and shops, where we ordered fresh juices and waited for a taxi to take us to Nice.
Nice was our favorite place to visit, with the Alps rolling down to the beach and crystal clear blue water. We took a guided snorkeling trip, and Lauren advised us to bring our own snorkels to avoid allergens. I would recommend doing that anyway (and bringing your own mask), as I am not sure if they were ever cleaned.🤢 While in Nice, we ate at Le Plongeoir, which was undoubtedly the most beautiful restaurant we ate at as it was on a rock jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea. We all had the seabass, which was delicious, and then had Amorino for dessert.
During a day trip to Monaco, we also ate at Caffe Milano, where I had the Scampi et Courgettes. My dish was delicious, but it was one of the only two safe options for alpha-gal, so I would really only recommend eating there if you want to experience the Monégasque dining.
The FIFA World Cup began while we were in Nice, so even when we ate in our apartment, many nights we went down to one of the outdoor cafes for sparkling waters and to watch the games on the outdoor televisions they set up in the courtyards. The weather was perfect, and those were some of the most magical nights. A true testament to the fact that it is possible to mostly eat in and still get the most out of the French Riviera.
The last stop on our trip was Barcelona. It is a gorgeous city, and the Gaudí architecture was the main attraction. The food was also delicious, and we tried two restaurants in addition to our home-cooked meals and packed picnic lunches and snacks. The first was Mad Mad Vegan, another cafe where we ate outside. I was hungry, so I ordered a lot and split some dishes with my family. We tried the Nachos, Coli Wings, Mad Club Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries, Originales of Mad Tacos, and the Tiramisu. I love tiramisu, so to have a safe dessert like it was amazing! Our final restaurant of the trip was Restaurante Terrazza Ravello, yet another delicious Italian place. We ate outside and, as it was on the harbor, we had a beautiful view. I tried the mussel pasta, and we had Amorino for dessert. The perfect meal to cap off a perfect trip.
While we were nervous to embark on our first trip to Europe and manage AGS throughout, we ended up having a wonderful time and feeling safe. I did not have a single allergic reaction through touring three countries! I cannot reiterate enough how helpful Lauren was in the planning and execution of our trip, and how the small preparations we made, such as getting food allergy cards and bringing snacks, made the trip stress-free and such a wonderful memory. I already miss Europe and cannot wait to go back someday!
