This is your guide to planning the perfect plant-based vacation.
I travel for flavour as much as for views.
Please give me a steaming bowl of something fragrant after a long flight, and I’m a new person.
Over the years, I’ve turned plant-based trips into a smooth, tasty routine—zero drama, maximum joy.
Here’s my complete, no-stress guide to planning (and loving) your plant-based vacation.
By Eric Moura (https://www.pexels.com/@EricMoura)
Step 1: Choose destinations that make it easy (but don’t fear the “hard” ones)
I love cities where vegan food is part of the culture. Berlin, Lisbon, London, Amsterdam, and Mexico City are great examples.
I’ve enjoyed great meals in small coastal towns and meat-focused areas. I relied on local markets, cooked for myself, and did some research before my trip.
My rule: start with a shortlist of places you’re excited about, then quickly double-check food options and accommodation.
A few minutes of scanning maps and reviews can save hours on the ground.
For restaurants and markets, I open the HappyCow map, drop pins near my hotel and the sights I’ll visit, and save the map. HappyCow+1
Step 2: Lock in a stay that fits your food style
Be honest about how you like to eat on holiday.
If you love café-hopping, prioritise central areas with several vegan-friendly spots. If you prefer slow mornings and budget-friendly meals, book a place with a kitchenette and a nearby greengrocer. You’ll also find more tips in my ultimate guide to sustainable travel practices.
For lower-impact travel, I choose properties that meet sustainability standards. I look for GSTC-aligned certifications and Green Key listings.
(Pro tip: Some booking sites show sustainability badges or filters. This can help you find eco-friendly options easily.) Booking News+1
Step 3: Book flights like a pro (hello, special meals)
When I fly long-haul, I request a vegan meal (labelled VGML on many airlines).
I still pack a “rescue picnic.” It includes nuts, dried fruit, oats sachets, dark chocolate, and a collapsible cup for instant porridge.
Airport day is easier when I’ve already saved a couple of vegan-friendly cafés in the terminal. Again, a glance at HappyCow helps. HappyCow
Step 4: Build a flexible food plan for Days 1–3
I plan the first three days loosely:
- Breakfast: oats, fruit, or a local bakery find (check ingredients; ask kindly).
- Lunch: one sit-down spot from my saved list near museums/parks.
- Dinner: a headline restaurant one night, then something casual or a market picnic the next.
- Snacks: trail mix, fresh fruit, hummus + crackers, and a cheeky local sweet if vegan.
If there’s a language barrier, I keep a phrase card or translation app handy. Download the languages before you travel so they work offline. Google Help: The Vegan Society’s “Vegan Passport” is excellent for sharing your needs in many languages. The Vegan Society
Step 5: Eat safely, stay well
I follow basic food safety rules: keep hot food hot and cold food cold. I wash or sanitise my hands before eating. I’m careful with raw salads if water safety is unclear. I also use sealed or treated water when necessary.
These basics sound boring—until they save your trip.
For detailed guidance, I check the CDC and WHO. They offer clear, traveller-friendly advice for new destinations. World Health Organization+3CDC+3CDC+3
When I travel internationally, I check the latest health recommendations, like routine vaccines, for peace of mind. CDC
Step 6: Master the market (your delicious secret weapon)
Wherever I land, I scan for the nearest produce market and supermarket.
I’ll get fruit, salad bits, canned chickpeas (the authentic MVP), whole-grain wraps, nut butter, and plant milk.
With a kitchenette, I’ll prepare quick bowls. They’ll have grains, beans, greens, and a tasty sauce. Options include tahini-lemon, chilli-lime, or herb pesto.
No kitchen? Picnic time.
It’s affordable, fresh, and naturally plant-based.
Step 7: Plan days around joy, not meals
I don’t spend my holiday chasing the “perfect” vegan spot.
I make a short list of must-tries and let the rest happen.
Here are some favourites: museums, beach walks, bike rides, neighbourhood strolls, and sunset views.
If a place looks good but isn’t clearly vegan, I ask, “Can you make this dish without dairy or eggs and add extra veggies?” Being kind and specific helps a lot.
Step 8: A tiny packing list that punches above its weight
- Reusable spork + lightweight knife (in checked luggage if flying).
- Collapsible cup + small food container.
- Spice sachets (smoked paprika, garam masala, chilli flakes) and a mini salt.
- Oats or granola, nuts and seeds, and a couple of energy bars.
- Reusable water bottle + purification tablets or filter if needed.
- A few tea bags or your favourite instant coffee.
Step 9: My 3-day starter itinerary (steal it and tweak it)
Day 1 – Arrive & settle
- Drop bags; stretch; hydrate.
- Market run for fruit, water, and snacks.
- Early dinner at a nearby vegan-friendly spot you pinned in advance.
Day 2 – Signature sights & flavours
- Breakfast at a local café (ask for plant milk or bring a mini carton).
- Big cultural hit (museum/walking tour).
- Lunch from a market stall or casual eatery.
- Golden-hour walk and a “headline” dinner you pre-booked.
Day 3 – Nature & neighbourhoods
- Morning run or seaside stroll.
- Explore a different district by tram or bike.
- Picnic lunch in a park.
- Lazy afternoons call for coffee and a sweet treat. Think vegan pastel, arroz con leche, or gelato. Enjoy local favourites in plant-based form.
Step 10: Mindset matters most
Perfection isn’t the goal. Presence is. If your meal isn’t exactly how you make it at home, that’s okay.
Celebrate the wins: the new spice you’ve yet to try, the grandmother selling pears at the corner, and the chef who happily swaps yoghurt for tahini.
Every trip adds a few new “keepers” to your personal plant-based playbook.
Handy resources I actually use
- HappyCow – Global vegan & veg-friendly restaurant guide (map, reviews, and apps for iOS/Android): https://www.happycow.net/ HappyCow
- HappyCow Mobile Apps (find vegan food in 185+ countries): https://www.happycow.net/mobile HappyCow
- The Vegan Society – Travel hub & Vegan Passport (explain veganism in multiple languages): https://www.vegansociety.com/lifestyle/travel The Vegan Society
- CDC – Food & water safety for travellers (clear, practical guidance): https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/food-water-safety CDC
- CDC Yellow Book – Food & water precautions (detailed best practices): https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/food-and-water-precautions-for-travelers.html CDC
- WHO – Travel health advice (pre-trip prep and safety basics): https://www.who.int/travel-advice World Health Organisation
- GSTC – Sustainable tourism standards & certification (what those eco-badges mean): https://www.gstc.org/ GSTC
- Green Key – Eco-certified hotels & sites (search participating properties): https://www.greenkey.global/ and site directory: https://www.greenkey.global/green-key-sites Green Key+1
- Booking.com – Travel Sustainable badge (background): https://news.booking.com/bookingcom-launches-first-of-its-kind-travel-sustainable-badge/ Booking News
- Google Translate – Download languages for offline use: https://support.google.com/translate/answer/6142473 Google Help
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