Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a gluten-free trip to Italy and not quite sure where to start? You’re not the first person to ask! Here are answers to some of the questions I get most often about traveling with celiac disease, working with me, and the experiences I offer in Florence.

Travel Consulting

  • Think of it as having a local celiac friend in Italy who you can sit down with and ask all of your questions before your trip.

    We’ll meet one-on-one over Google Meet and talk through your itinerary, where you’re staying, where you want to eat, and anything you’re feeling unsure about when it comes to navigating Italy with celiac disease. I can help you figure out where to eat, what’s worth booking ahead, how to navigate restaurants and everyday food situations, and fill in any gaps in the research you’ve already done.

    Every consultation is personalized to you and your trip, so come with questions!

  • It depends on how much support you want!

    Economy is a 30-minute consultation and is best if you’ve already done most of your planning but want some personalized recommendations, help filling in the gaps, or a chance to ask your questions before you go. It’s also a good place to start if you’re just toying with the idea of taking a trip. Many clients do a 30-minute consultation initially, and then come back for a full-hour when they’re ready to hash out the details.

    Business gives us a full hour together, plus a personalized PDF with recommendations for your trip and help with up to 3 restaurant reservations.

    First Class is the most hands-on option. You’ll get the hour-long consultation, your personalized PDF, help with up to 5 restaurant reservations, and one follow-up email after our call for any questions that come up later.

  • You can book a consultation up to 2 weeks in advance and as little as 24 hours before an available appointment.

    That said, if your consultation includes restaurant reservations, I recommend giving us as much lead time as possible. Popular restaurants can book up, especially during busy travel periods, and I can only work with the availability that’s still there!

  • Yes! Restaurant reservation assistance is included with the Business and First Class consultations.

    Business includes help with up to 3 reservations, while First Class includes up to 5. We’ll talk through your plans during the consultation first so I can make sure the reservations actually make sense for your itinerary.

    Restaurant reservations are not included with the Economy consultation.

  • Usually, yes! If you’re also navigating another food allergy or dietary restriction, let me know when you book so I can take it into consideration when preparing for our consultation.

    Some combinations of dietary needs can be more challenging than others in Italy, so I can’t promise that every restaurant or recommendation will work for every restriction. But I’ll always be upfront about what I think is realistically possible and help you find the best options available for your trip.

  • Great question! Here’s why I’m uniquely qualified to help you:

    • Local Knowledge: I’ve lived in Italy for years, immersing myself in the local gluten-free scene and understanding it thoroughly. Not only can I give you tons of recommendations, but I can also tell you if that popular spot you’ve seen all over Instagram is worth a visit or overhyped.

    • Bilingual Advantage: Being a native English speaker fluent in Italian, there is no language barrier between you and me (so you can feel 100% confident we’re on the same page) and there’s no language barrier between me and restaurants, hotels, guides, etc.

    • Strong Industry Connections: I have established personal relationships with chefs at many top gluten-free restaurants across Italy. Need a reservation? Consider it done!

    • AIC Collaboration: I work directly with the Italian Celiac Association as their English-language consultant for tourism initiatives. Rest assured you are getting your information straight from the source!

    • Personal Experience: Having been diagnosed with celiac disease for over eight years, along with other food intolerances and chronic illnesses, I bring firsthand experience and effective travel strategies. My background as a full-time digital nomad has honed my celiac travel skills, which I’m eager to share with you.

    • Degree in Medical Anthropology: I wrote my thesis about how different cultures handle gluten-free dining and what sort of impact that has on our quality of life as celiacs. I understand how it important it is to connect over food and I’m here to make the journey as seamless as possible.

Plan your trip

other european destinations

  • That’s exactly why I created Celiacs in Europe! I wanted travelers to be able to get the same kind of personalized support I offer for Italy from fellow celiacs who actually live in the destinations they’re helping you explore.

    Our local celiac experts currently offer consultations for select destinations across Europe, with more on the way. You can see where we’re currently offering support and meet our consultants over on the Celiacs in Europe website.

  • No problem! You can work with me for the Italy portion of your trip and one of our Celiacs in Europe consultants for any other destinations we currently cover. Each consultation is booked separately so you get advice from someone who actually knows that destination firsthand.

Explore Celiacs in Europe

Florence Culinary Experiences

  • There are currently two ways to eat your way through Florence with me!

    A Taste of Gluten-Free Florence is my small-group morning experience, where we’ll explore some of my favorite Florentine food traditions together, from coffee and a proper gluten-free cornetto to Tuscan olive oil and one of the city’s iconic wine windows.

    For something more intimate, I also offer a Private Gluten-Free Dinner Crawl in Florence, an evening reserved exclusively for you and your travel companions with a wine window, dinner at a 100% gluten-free osteria, and gelato.

  • A Taste of Gluten-Free Florence takes place on scheduled mornings and can be booked directly online. You may be joined by other celiac travelers and their companions.

    The dinner crawl is a private evening experience just for your group and availability is handled by inquiry.

  • Of course! Both experiences were created with celiac travelers in mind, but your non-celiac partners, friends and family are more than welcome to come eat with us too :)

Let's Eat!

General

  • Yes, Italy is surprisingly celiac-friendly! Italians take food seriously, and that includes accommodating dietary needs. With the right guidance, you can enjoy delicious gluten-free versions of classic Italian dishes, from pizza and pasta to gelato. Not to mention the fact that we have been pioneering celiac research for decades, we get a monthly stipend to offset the added costs of our gluten-free diet, and we have arguably the best national celiac association in the world.

  • No, you don’t need to speak great Italian to have a great gluten-free experience in Italy. That said, it is important to have a few basic phrases in your back pocket in order to communicate your needs…which is something I will walk you through during our consult!

    You can check out this blog post for some basic gluten-free Italian vocabulary and I recommend all my clients travel with an Equal Eats translation card to be safe.

  • The European Union has strict regulations regarding allergen labeling. During our consultation, I’ll explain how to read labels, what to look for, and which brands are trustworthy, ensuring you can shop and eat with confidence.