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Traveling Gluten-Free: 7 Tips for a Safe Holiday

How to plan a trip in Italy and abroad as a celiac, from useful apps to translation cards and safe bookings.

MB

Marco Bianchi

Travel writer

18 April 2026 2 min read
Table of contents

Key takeaways

  • Look up certified restaurants and hotels at your destination before you leave and save them to a shared map.
  • The multilingual AIC card helps you explain celiac disease to restaurant staff abroad.
  • Request gluten-free airline meals at least 48 hours ahead, and always pack safe snacks as backup.
  • Local directories and online communities are the most reliable resource off the beaten tourist path.

Before you leave

Looking up certified restaurants and hotels at your destination ahead of time, saving addresses to a shared map, reduces stress during the trip.

The celiac translation card

AIC provides a card explaining celiac disease translated into several languages, extremely useful for communicating with restaurant staff abroad.

On planes and trains

Many airlines offer gluten-free meals on request, to be booked at least 48 hours in advance. It's still wise to always carry safe snacks just in case.

Finding safe places on the spot

Local directories and online communities dedicated to celiacs are the most reliable resource for discovering verified businesses even off the main tourist routes.

MB

Marco Bianchi

Travel writer

Content specialist in food safety and regulation, with a focus on labels, travel and news from the gluten-free world.

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Frequently asked questions

It's a multilingual document explaining celiac disease and its dietary needs, useful to show restaurant and hotel staff abroad.

Availability depends on the airline: you need to request it when booking or with enough notice before the flight.

Looking for a safe place near you?

Discover our directory of certified restaurants, shops and hotels for an easier gluten-free life.

Explore the directory

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Comments (2)

S

Sara V. 18 April 2026

Very clear article, it helped me a lot right after my diagnosis. Thank you!

P

Paolo N. 18 April 2026

Extremely useful, sharing it in the support group I follow.