Traveling with Celiac disease

Italy has lots of gluten free options. They even give residents with Celiac disease a stipend, since Italy is so big on pasta.

I happily eat gluten-free in Italy. I skip the pizza and pasta ( even tho you can find them made with gluten-free flour) and choose risotto, polenta, salads, and grilled meat or fish ( not fried which will have a batter or crumb coating).

I will bet the sign-up form has an option to choose gluten-free meals ( but haven't done a tour so don't actually know).

Yep, gluten free in Italy is generally no problem. Senza glutine is gluten free in Italian and we've never had any problem in Italy.

Last year while staying in Florence I literally found a gluten free store. I took a photo and sent it to my family who have celiac too.

Since all breakfasts and half your dinners are included Innthe tour price, it would be good to know if there is a gluten-free option for these meals. You could call the tour desk and ask. I would imagine they would offer both vegetarian and gluten-free options, since so many people eat that way. Otherwise you might have to skip the included meals or at least skip those dishes which are made with gluten ( which includes most breakfast breads).

We recently did our first tour, not with Rick Steve's but a hiking trip in Patagonia with Mountain Travel Sobek. (It was fantastic, by the way). I indicated "gluten free" in the health section of the sign-up form, and it was fully honored. The main guide was very attentive to my needs, making sure there were gluten-free dishes at breakfast and dinner, and gluten-free bread was used for the sandwich in our packed lunches. (At some of the remote Refugios this meant everyone got gluten-free bread for their sandwich, which I thought was pretty funny, but at least it was decent bread). Once we went out for lunch at a cute little cafe/pizza place that had a separate (optional) gluten-free menu.

I did bring my own breakfast cereal just in case.

We are now signed up for a Slovenia hiking trip in September with a different company, REI Adventures. They also have a place on the health questionnaire to choose gluten-free meals. So I think this may be becoming the standard for tour companies, or at least I hope it is.

On my recent RS Best of the Adriatic tour, one of the participants was gluten-free. Our guide made sure there was an alternative bread or crackers for him and most if not all of the hotels had some kind of gluten free grain at breakfast. I never heard him complain about it being an issue or hardship for him.

Yes do a research of restaurants on each location before you go.
We ate at restaurant in Orvieto that had gluten free bread and pasta

The subject of gluten free travel in Italy comes up often on this Forum. Here's just one thread; in my response there, I put links to MANY more, as well as a New York Times article on the subject. There's a lot of duplication, but also some different restaurant recommendations, etc. Spoiler alert: good news - Italy is just about the most gluten-aware country around.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/special-diet-requirements

As for the tour, contact the tour office directly to see what they say, since, as stated above, part of what you are paying for is meals. You need to know in advance if you'll have to forgo some of the group meals, and this will influence your decision to book it or not, and what to prepare for it you do go on the tour. Either call them at 425-608-4217 or email them at [email protected].

we just spent a few weeks in italy ( now in switzerland) and had no problem finding GF food. even if a restaurant doesn't specifically mention senza gluten, just ask. often they do have gf pasta. the occasional place even made gf pizza. also the supermarkets sell gf breads ( generally schar brand or 'free from' brand) and biscuits etc. also pharmacies also sell the schar brand gf products.
also, the restaurants have a page in the menu showing all the allergens.
hope this helps.

Some restaurants ask for advance notice for gf pasta, but others always have it.

Ditto what everyone else has said. I also have Celiac. Even on the MyWay tour where lunch/dinner are not included, the tour manager had already notified the hotels and many had GF bread for me at breakfast. Italy is fantastic for those with Celiac. Easier than the U.S. :)

Check with the tour for specifics but in general I have found Italy amazing for gluten free options. I travel with a family member with celiac.

Every restaurant I have been to has been easily aware of celiac and will point out what is ok. There is a surprising number of places with GF pizza and pasta, and they also always know what meat or other dishes are safe. I have a card in Italian explaining celiac but haven't needed to use it - every waiter has known all about it.