Gluten-free travels in Europe, anyone?

A Gluten-free die is becoming a popular trend and there have been a lot of Helpline threads lately about eating GF while travelling in Europe. I'd suggest you go to the main Helpline page, and do a search under Tips and Tricks. Searching for "gluten" should produce at least a dozen hits.
I'm suggesting searching for earlier threads because activity on the Helpline seems very slow now and you might not get as many replies and suggestions as you normally would during a busier time.

Although I was on the lookout for a friend, I noticed in Italy in May that many restaurants had gluten free noted on many items including pasta.

I do not have to eat gluten free but am vegan so I downloaded a translation card that I kept with me in Italy. To be frank, in only one instance did I use it as I felt the waiter was not getting my awful Italian/English/hand gestures. In Italy I found the servers very helpful in answering questions food questions in English.

I see via google that there are several different websites that provide the similar translations for gluten free or celiac.

Celiac disease is common in Italy, all children are tested for the condition at a young age, and you will find a high level of awareness in the country. Gluten free food is widely available including pizza, pastries etc.

Thanks Elaine .... I was looking for a way to search before I asked the question,but, didn't find one...Thanks for the information. DON

My son is gluten free (and 6 and picky, which makes it difficult), and for a less-picky adult, I don't think it would be a huge barrier. If you aren't really conversant in the language of your destination, I would print a celiac disease translation card. Then if you speak the language a little bit, learn all the phrases too. I've used these http://glutenfreepassport.com/allergy-gluten-free-travel/gf-translation-cards/

All big cities and many smaller ones have gluten free stores and bakeries, so research beforehand and you should be able to get gluten-free versions of local specialties. We're planning a trip to Madrid (and other towns in central Spain) in March and I have a list with 3 gluten free grocers (probably will also have prepared food), numerous restaurants people online have had good experience with, a gluten free bakery, and a list of popular dishes that are often gluten free by nature (no special request needed). Grilled meats, ham, that kind of thing. Be willing to make a meal of stuff like this - a charcuterie plate, some cheeses, a basic vegetable dish, simple roast meats, etc should be available most places.

We always get an aparthotel or some sort of accommodation with a kitchen. If you're flexible, you wouldn't need it, but it is helpful to be able to prepare food, or store things you buy prepared from a grocer, occasionally. Even just a fridge so you can buy meats and cheese and gluten free bread if possible when you arrive for an emergency sandwich.

The hardest times for me have been in airports. The major US airlines will provide a GF meal (probably other airlines, too, but I'm not familiar), but if you have a long layover in a small or medium size airport, the choices are sometimes slim. Pack a few snacks in your carry-on.

I would have a back up for the air plane just in case. The GF meal on the way home from Germany was the grossest thing I have ever eaten in my life. I am a pretty adventourous eater. It was a soggy GF sandwich of butter and tomatoes. For me, GF bread has a horrible texture so combined with that and the sogginess, it was just awful. Going to Germany wasn't too terrible. I just called the airline and made the request. I would hit a grocery store the day before leaving for some snacks just in case.

I would disagree with celiac/gluten awareness in Europe. Sure, in the grocery stores you can sometimes find a section with gluten free goodies, but it is not the norm. You will be hard pressed to find bakeries offering gluten free alternatives. Restaurants offer vegetarian alternatives but I have yet to see a gluten free alternate and oftentimes the establishments have never heard of the disease. I would suggest that you eat what you know and when you find something gluten-free, stock up. That being said, if you have statements prepared/written in German, Italian and French - stating that your wife is allergic to gluten (you may have to list items here...since gluten is not a term overtly used here and hence misunderstood) ready for the servers to see, it will be helpful. Bring a stock of ready to eat snacks that she can have in a pinch. On the upside - there are always local markets with fresh food - YUM!

If you are in Germany, then Gluten means Gluten. It is the same word. Look for Gluten-frei for Gluten free products. Many bakeries do offer these products, though for someone that is really sensitive, this won't work at all, as there will be trace amounts just from being produced in the same area. All grocery stores carry a wide variety, as do drugstores like Rossman or Idea. Reform Houses are health food stores and will also have a lot to choose from. Rewe carries a lot of products that are also gluten free.

On menus, simply order ala carte. Potatoes, vegetables, meats without breading, salads, etc. Any decent restaurant will put something together for you, combining ingredients that are ok.

Website for you about eating gluten free in Germany and all in English.

http://www.dzg-online.de/english.41.0.html

I think you will find this very helpful for your travel in Italy if you need to be gluten free. It's from 2012- it seems there is very high level of awareness now in Italy.

http://www.legalnomads.com/2012/05/gluten-free-in-italy.html

I was in France with a gluten free friend and found it much harder to get gluten free products. She had researched stores in Paris where she could buy gluten free bread etc. and we made a special trip there. The regular grocery store was not helpful in that regard. She discussed the gluten with all the restaurant servers and always found something to eat but you have to be flexible