The all-inclusive Club Med resorts are famous worldwide for providing a relaxing luxury vacation experience, though with a steep price tag. For people with celiac disease or other forms of gluten intolerance, an all-inclusive package often means not buying in; resort restaurants don't necessarily know how to meet gluten-free diet needs.
Club Med Gluten Free Policies
While each Club Med's approach to serving gluten-free customers varies, for GF travelers eyeing the Club Meds in France, the news is mixed. Some resorts accommodate, while others may or may not, depending on the kitchen staff's understanding of how to select and prepare ingredients for a gluten-free meal. So how do the French Club Med resorts hold up under a celiac patient's scrutiny?
Many Club Meds worldwide have carefully-crafted food allergy policies. For instance, the Nusa Dua resort in Bali, Indonesia, states clearly that various food allergies can be accommodated by the chef's staff, as long as customers are clear about the ingredients to be avoided.
Australia's only Club Med, Lindeman Island, also has a clearly-stated GF diet policy, so resort visitors can travel knowing that their dietary needs are met.
The Club Med Cancun gets rave reviews on TripAdvisor from gluten-free travelers as does the resort's location on Sandpiper Island, Florida, in the United States. The chain focuses on making "all-inclusive" travel truly all-inclusive, including celiac patients and those with general gluten issues.
Club Med GF Travel in France
Before booking any vacation that offers meals as part of the trip, be sure to call the resort and ask about gluten free policies. In many cases, you'll need to ask to speak specifically to the resort's head kitchen staff. The French Club Meds include:
- Cargese
- Opio en Provence
- Vittel le Parc
- Vittel Ermitage
- Sant Ambroggio
- Pompadour
- La Palmyre Atlantique
In addition, printing "celiac cards" with a message that explains the gluten free diet in the French language can help with any confusion, especially if you go off-resort to eat at any area restaurant. Most Europeans are better educated about gluten issues, and because French restaurants tend to cook everything from scratch, the chance of gluten slipping into your meal via an unsuspecting sauce or condiment is very low. The pre-printed card is extra dietary insurance for an already-easy GF travel experience.
To read more about gluten free travel, learn about GF menus at Medieval Times and GF pizza at the Splash Lagoon Waterpark.
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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