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Traveling Gluten-Free This Summer? Let’s Make It Easier.
Hi there,
Summer is here, and for many of us that means travel plans, family trips, and a whole lot of meals in unfamiliar places. If you live with celiac disease (or you’re feeding someone who does), you know that a little planning goes a long way toward keeping the trip fun instead of stressful. This month, we’re sharing our latest guides, a few practical tips, and some new tools to make gluten-free travel simpler.
Everything here is drawn from personal experience and clinical training — no paid reviews.
Mark Your Calendar: Wicked Gluten Free New England Expo
If you’re in New England, this one is worth a spot on your calendar. The Wicked Gluten Free New England Expo is a dedicated, carefully vetted gluten-free shopping and sampling event where you can try and buy from 100+ vendors in one place — bakeries, snack brands, food trucks, and celiac nonprofits, all under one roof. It’s about 95% food, gluten-containing items aren’t allowed inside on event day, and booths are clearly marked (including dedicated gluten-free facilities).
When: Saturday, September 19th, 2026, 10 AM–4 PM (VIP Happy Hour 3–5 PM)
Where: Game On Sports & Performance Center, Fitchburg, MA
Tickets: On sale now with timed hourly entry — $27.50 for adults (13+), $8 for kids 6–12, and free for kids 5 and under. Door sales begin at noon, even if online slots sell out.
Happy Hour (3–5 PM): Discounted entry — $12 for adults, free for all kids 12 and under — plus special vendor sales and giveaways.
Tip: Bring a cooler and extra bags — stocking up is encouraged, and some of these products are hard to find locally. This is the sooner of two New England expos (a Connecticut event follows in February 2027).
Read the full recap and grab tickets here.
Featured Destination Guides
Maui, Hawaii — A personal gluten-free guide to Maui: the dishes we ordered, the dedicated kitchens we trusted, and what I learned feeding two celiacs on one island.
Disney — My personal experience navigating Disney with celiac: the chefs I spoke with, the menus I leaned on, and how to plan park days around meals so the trip stays magical for everyone.
Coming Soon: Aruba — Where we ate during our Aruba trips and how I approached dining as a celiac traveler, from the resort to the boardwalk. Watch for it in an upcoming issue!
Travel Tips for Safer Gluten-Free Trips
A few strategies that can help reduce cross-contact risk when you’re on the road:
At the airport: Pack safe snacks you trust so you’re never stuck relying on whatever’s at the gate, and give yourself buffer time so hunger doesn’t push you into a risky choice.
At the hotel: Request a fridge, and consider a room with a kitchenette so you always have a safe fallback meal option.
At restaurants: Call ahead when you can, speak directly with a manager or chef about cross-contact, and don’t be afraid to ask how a dish is prepared. Your questions are reasonable — and they matter.
New: Restaurant Cards & Country Guides
More than a translation card. Each download pairs a detailed gluten-free restaurant card — written in the local language — with a 1–2 page country guide that goes beyond the table: hidden gluten in regional dishes, the local celiac certification to ask for, and cross-contact risks specific to that cuisine. Available for 32 countries, individually or as a bundle. Pull it up on your phone (even offline) or print it before you go. The English Card and guide are free. See the restaurant cards.
Free: Celiac Travel Starter Guide
If you haven’t grabbed it yet, our free PDF starter guide is a personal checklist to help you prepare for travel with celiac disease — what to consider packing, questions to ask restaurants, and things to watch for at airports and hotels. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Wherever your summer takes you, I hope these resources help you travel with a little more confidence and a lot less worry. Safe travels — and happy eating!
Warmly,
Krystal, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Celiac Safe Travel
A quick reminder: everything shared here is general educational content based on personal experience and clinical knowledge — not individualized medical advice. Restaurant practices and menus change, so always confirm preparation directly with the establishment and use your own judgment.
