By Jessica Kelly
One of the great joys of traveling solo is the chance for exploration and discovery. You’ll have complete control over where to go, what to do, and what to eat – so you’ll be sure to have a truly fulfilling experience! For those doing solo travel as a vegan, particularly those who want to explore beyond the cities, there are a few factors that are worth considering when traveling solo.
Here we’ll talk you through everything you need to know.
Be aware of cultural differences
As travelers, we know that part of the experience is immersing yourself in a different culture. For vegans, however, it can sometimes be difficult to find suitable culinary options abroad. There are plenty of countries where veganism is very much in the minority, and hence it’s more difficult to find places that cater to vegan diets. For example, in Japan only 2.1% of the population is vegan and this makes it hard to buy vegan food in supermarkets and find vegan options in restaurants. Whereas, in Israel 5.2% of the population are vegan and many travelers report on the delights of the vegan food there. Similarly, countries within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) such as UAE, Oman, and Kuwait have tasty vegan options, such as falafel, readily available as part of their culinary culture.
It’s always worth researching the countries you want to travel to in order to understand how difficult or easy it might be to find vegan options.
Be prepared
Whatever the approach to veganism in the countries you choose to visit, it’s important to be prepared for circumstances where vegan food is more difficult to find. Whilst you are more likely to find vegan options in urban centers, the further you go off the beaten track the more likely you are to need your own provisions.
If you are camping, of course, you can be more in control of your food. But it’s a good idea to stock up in supermarkets and delicatessens before leaving cities to explore the great outdoors. Having a stash of vegan snacks, fruit and vegetables should mean that, even if you find yourself without a full vegan option at a restaurant or cafe, you can enjoy your own tasty options when you get back to base.
If you are not camping, don’t be afraid to ask politely for meat products to be removed when buying dishes.
Learn the language
In order to find vegan food abroad, it’s crucial to learn key phrases in the local language – otherwise, confusion can occur all too easily! It’s important, after all, to know the names of the vegan dishes you’ll be able to eat, especially if there aren’t many to choose from. And knowing enough of the language to ask for advice and directions is always handy too.
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Apart from these practical considerations, it’s also polite to learn as much of the language as possible, rather than forcing others to speak English. Locals will appreciate the extra effort and will be more likely to go the extra mile in helping you on your vegan journey.
Consider self-catering
Finding accommodation with self-catering options may not always be possible, but this is definitely worth considering if you want to make your own vegan dishes along the way. It will also be much cheaper than dining out at restaurants every night – ingredients can be bought cheaply from supermarkets, meaning you’ll have more of your budget left for other expenses on your trip.
You may decide that it’s not much fun to cook for yourself every night, and you may still be keen to try out local vegan delicacies, but having the option to self-cater at least some of the time could make all the difference.
Be curious
Take a day or two to orient yourself in urban centers, find the vegan restaurants there, and then ask them for their recommendations on other places to eat outside the city. They may be able to suggest recognized local dishes that will work for you wherever you go. For example, cucumber rolls or kappamaki are a very popular sushi option, available in most sushi restaurants.
They may also be able to recommend restaurants along your journey that they know will cater to a vegan diet.
Finally, don’t let nervousness about food options get in the way of your love of travel. You can still have some outstanding cultural and culinary experiences, and come back with great tales to tell!
Solo travel as a vegan: your thoughts
Have you tried solo travel as a vegan? What have been your experiences? Please share your comments below.
Jessica Kelly
Jessica Kelly is a freelance writer based in the UK, writing on a range of subjects including lifestyle, small business, and transport. When she’s not writing she can be found curled up with a good book and a cup of tea.
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