Originally posted on my Gluten-Free Globetrotter blog last month, but I REALLY want to Go with Oh to Barcelona so I am posting this again. I think I offer a very unique perspective of travel that no else is doing right now in the gluten-free blogosphere. I challenge you to find another Celiac with 30+ years gluten-free experience of international travel. :-)

I want to ‘Go with Oh’ to Barcelona

Posted on March 15, 2012 

My two passions in life are gluten-free living and traveling. (Hence the reason I started this blog.) When I am not reading gluten-free blogs/Twitter/Facebook, I am reading travel blogs/Twitter/Facebook. I love reading about and meeting bloggers that have quit their day jobs to travel the world as their full-time job. I admire “career breakers” and well-seasoned, professional travelers. I want to learn from them and one day follow in their footsteps. One of these travelers is Sherry Ott.

I first met Sherry at a MeetPlanGo event in NYC in 2010. I left this event really inspired and longing to book my next vacation, adding Sherry’s blog to my daily RSS feed immediately. Since then, I have been following Sherry’s travels around the globe through her blog Ott’s World. Her participation in the Mongol Rally was hilarious, inspiring, and scary, yet she finished it with pride. I was really excited to learn about Sherry’s next adventure to Europe trip with Go with Oh. Sherry will be living in Europe and guest blogging along the way. I’m excited to see where Sherry’s adventures take her on this next journey.
Go with Oh is a company that helps travelers in Europe find their ideal accommodations including hotels, apartments, and hostels. They are hosting a contest that I am really excited about. As a winner of this contest, the company will “put you up in their holiday rental apartments in up to FOUR European destinations” over the course of a month! In return, the winner will need to share their experiences in the European cities. This includes blogging, tweeting, Facebooking, and all other sorts of social media postings to report on the European city living.

As someone that loves to travel and is already obsessed with social media, this sounds like my dream gig! I am already writing this travel blog but winning this contest would kick it up a notch. If I won, I could take my travel writing to the next level! I think being gluten-free makes me a unique stand-out in this competition. I can explore Europe from a cultural point of view, as well as a gluten-free culinary perspective. I am sure not many gluten-free Americans would take this plunge to live in a European country for a month without having a major food panic attack. I am up for the challenge and adventure!

Without further delay, here is my entry:

My Gluten-Free Globetrotter 5-Senses Wish List:I want to Go with Oh to Barcelona 

• See: I want to see all things Gaudi in Barcelona including the Church of the Sacred Family, Park Güell, and Casa Batllo.
• Smell: I want to stop and smell the 10,000 rose bushes at the Cervantes Rose Garden. Ok, well maybe not all 10,000.
• Hear: I want to hear the cheers of a Barca Football game. Going to a European soccer match was added to my “bucket list” after watching some FIFA World Cup matches in the Astoria, NY a few summers ago. I can only imagine the hype and hysteria of being at a live game.
• Taste: I want to taste traditional (yet gluten-free) Catalan cuisine with help from theAssociacio de Celiacs de Catalunya while sipping on some sparkling cava.
• Touch: I want to walk from the city center to Barceloneta Beach, one of the World’s Best Beaches according to Discovery Channel in 2005, and dip my toes in to the Mediterranean Sea.

Do you want to win a prize with Go with Oh (www.GowithOh.com)? Check out theirFacebook competition to win 4 fantastic prizes.

Gluten-Free Fun is heading to Portland

Do you know I write two blogs? My blog Gluten-Free Globetrotter is about embracing a gluten-free lifestyle while traveling the world. I love to travel but hear all too often that people with Celiac Disease on a gluten-free diet are afraid to leave home. While I understand the nervousness, I have NEVER let Celiac stop me from exploring the world. I have been to some really amazing places in my life and if I let my gluten-free lifestyle keep me from traveling I would have never eaten gluten-free spaghetti outside of the Vatican, dined in a gourmet restaurant on the rim of the Grand Canyon, or ridden ATVs in the desert of Aruba.

So if you aren't reading about my gluten-free travels or following them on Facebook and Twitter, I encourage you to do so today!

If you do read my Gluten-Free Globetrotter blog you will know that there are some big changes happening in my professional life. I can't get into too many public details but my day job (yes, I have one completely unrelated to this gluten-free world) is going to require some travel to the West Coast. This will be quite an adventure for this East Coast gal but exciting as well. I love exploring and this will give me the opportunity to check out Portland, OR. Read on for my details:

Yep, it’s true. I am adding a new city and state to my travelogue soon! 

There has been a lot going on in my “real” job lately. Although my passion and my babies are my two blogs and my NYC Celiac Meetup group, I have to pay my bills! When I tell people that I have a day job unrelated to the gluten-free world they are often shocked that I have the time for everything. Trust me, I don’t sleep much! 

My professional world has taken an unexpected turn and I have some regular travel to Portland, OR in my immediate future. I am excited about this for a few reasons. The top reason is that I hear Portland is a great place to be gluten-free. Obviously, this is music to my gluten-free ears. I am slowly adding bookmarks and taking all recommendations for gluten-free in Portland. Also, I love being outdoors. Portland is a very green city and I am excited to explore by foot and bicycle. 

Do you have any gluten-free favorites that I can’t miss in Portland? Please post them in the comments section below. I look forward to your recommendations. Stay tuned for my reviews and summaries soon!

Bon Tardi Friends

Bon Tardi 

(good afternoon in Papiamento, the official language of Aruba)

Friends, it has been a really crazy few weeks for me and my blog has suffered. I haven't posted as much as I wanted to, I have at least 10 draft blog postings that are 50% complete, there is always some crazy health thing that flares up when I am stressed, and I threw a huge party for the awesome new app DishFreely on Wednesday. Needless to say I am beyond exhausted!

Luckily, I am going on a much-needed vacation to Aruba next week. I have done my gluten-free research, purchased my sunblock, and I am ready to go. This will be my first vacation in 2 years where I am NOT bringing my computer with me. No email, no Skype, no technology for an entire week. Believe it or not, this was a hard decision to make. As a new friend pointed out, I am slightly obsessive when it comes to technology and I need a break from it. It won't be easy at the beginning, but it will be exactly what I need to disconnect from the stress of life in NYC.

I hope to come back refreshed with lots of amazing stories and restaurant experiences to share with you from Aruba. In the meantime, feel free to gawk at and be jealous of my lovely view for the next week.

Gluten-Free Gourmet Weekend

I am so excited to announce that I am co-hosting this Gluten-Free Gourmet Weekend at Good Commons in Plymouth, VT. Please read on for more information and to sign up today!

Gluten-Free* Gourmet Weekend in Partnership with the New York City Celiac Disease Meetup Group June 21 - 24, 2012 http://www.goodcommons.com/GF2012meetup.html

Join Good Commons and The New York City Celiac Disease Meetup Group for a worry-free decadent getaway.  Whether you have dietary restrictions or are traveling with a loved one, our on-site chefs and health & wellness experts will ensure delicious meals, culinary adventures, and a chance to experience the bounty of the Green Mountain State. Weekend includes: Round-trip transportation on The Good Bus  (NYC only) 3 nights lodging at Good Commons All meals, snacks & beverages as outlined in itinerary, prepared by on-site private chef 4-course dinner with wine pairings featuring sommelier Kristen Siebecker   Optional yoga classes, gluten-free cooking workshops, and local excursions Massage by on-site certified massage therapist Jessica Ruth Shepard (additional charge)

Itinerary*  We encourage you to participate in as much or as little as you'd like to create your own "uncommonly good" getaway.  This is your time to rest, retreat, and revitalize! Thursday, June 21 6:15pm   Depart NYC on the Good bus -- includes light dinner & beverages                       Arrival at Good Commons Friday, June 22 Continental breakfast Opening Circle Yoga class Picnic at Quechee Gorge and a leisurely afternoon to explore what you love most.  Choose to take a light hike down the gorge to the river, meander through the antique shops, taste some of Vermont's artisan products, or visit the famed blown and pottery work of Simon Pearce Dinner -- 4 Course Dinner with chef Matthew Wexler, featuring wine pairings from sommelier Kristen Siebecker  Optional Gluten-Free cookie baking workshop Saturday, June 23 Continental breakfast Yoga class Brunch Optional hike at Calvin Coolidge State Park followed by a cheese demonstration and tasting at Plymouth Artisan Cheese  Bread-making workshop Dinner  Evening Roundtable - facilitated discussion by weekend leaders, including Erin Smith, Jessica Ruth Shepard S'mores and fire pit  Sunday, June 24 Continental breakfast Yoga class Brunch Group photo Departure *Only gluten-free products will be used throughout the weekend, but this retreat is not intended for those with severe food allergies, as Good Commons is not an exclusively gluten-free facility. Itinerary subject to change

ABOUT US: Good Commons was originally built in the 1840's and operated as a general store. It has been lovingly renovated ans restored and now features six bedrooms and a sleeping loft, six bathrooms, two living rooms, and a multi-purpose studio.  The property features all of the modern amenities of one's own home, while still creating a warm and inviting environment that honors the historical traditions that have characterized the house for more than 160 years. CLICK HERE for a virtual tour. TRAVEL INFORMATION: The Good Bus leaves promptly at 6:15pm on Thursday, June 21 from 45th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues in Manhattan.  Drop-off will be at the same location on Sunday, June 24th, approximately 5:30pm depending upon traffic.  Providing your own transportation? Inquire about our discount.  Please contact: tesha@goodcommons.com  PRICING: http://www.goodcommons.com/GF2012meetup.html $75 Early registration discount through March 31st, 2012 Bedroom prices per person, based on double occupancy $700 - discount = $625 Deluxe Shared Bedroom, includes steam shower $675 - discount = $600 Standard Shared Bedroom $575 - discount = $500 Farmhouse Style Loft -- charming shared sleeping quarters Gratuity not included. To register and receive and early bird discount, please click here for your initial $225 deposit/per person to hold your spot! All deposits are non-refundable.  Deposits are transferable to another retreat or vacation rental pending availability if cancellation is received by May 31, 2012.  Absolutely no refund, deposit or payment transfers will be made if cancellation is received after the above cancellation deadline of May 31, 2012.  Balance must be paid in full by June 14, 2012.

YOUR HOSTS Tesha Buss is the owner/creator of Good Commons and a partner in The Good Retreat Company. Raised on a dairy farm and doing back flips by the age of three, Tesha reached her childhood dream of becoming a Broadway performer, only to discover that a new dream--a retreat center to rest and revitalize--would soon reveal itself. She welcomes the revolving door of health and wellness professionals, artists and vacationers.  She is a member of the Okemo Valley and Killington Chamber of Commerce as well as Rotary International. Erin Smith (Co-Host) was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 1981 and "grew up on a gluten-free diet in a gluten-filled world."  As an adult, she has become extremely involved with the Celiac community, both online and in person.  Erin started the blog Gluten-Free Fun in 2007 as a way to show the world that being gluten-free should not stop you from living your life.  In 2011 she launched the blogGluten-Free Globetrotter to encourage others on a gluten-free diet to travel the world.  In addition to her blogs, Erin oversees the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup Group.  This is a social group where members can get together to enjoy gluten-free meals, share food recommendations and recipes as well as learn from one another.  Through her blogs, leadership of the Meetup group, and community advocacy, Erin encourages others to not allow their lives to be limited by Celiac Disease but to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Matthew Wexler (Chef) is a regular in the Good Commons kitchen, as well as a freelance food, travel and lifestyle writer. He is proud to share the bounty of the Northeast with all those who visit Good Commons through fresh, vibrant and accessible cuisine. His culinary training includes years at his mother's side, along with coursework at the French Culinary Institute.  Matthew has written about everything from barbecue to bed and breakfasts for Hemispheres, Go Magazine, Passport, ATOUT France and Out There as well as online for EDGE Media Network, The Daily Meal, offManhattan,Endless Simmer and his own blog, roodeloo.com.  He is currently writing and recipe-testing the Good Commons food memoir, Uncommonly Good. Kristen Siebecker (Sommelier) has been a great fan of viticulture and vinification since her first illicit sip of Boone's Farm wine beverage many years ago.  More recently, she became a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, completed the Advanced Certification program from the WSET with distinction and is certified in Advanced Blind Tasting by the American Sommelier Association.  You'll find Kristen at the NYC East Side Best Cellars wine shop, advising customers and assisting in the store's Sommelier for an Evening program.  Diagnosed with Celiac Disease since 2007, Kristen is a co-organizer of the NYC Celiac Meetup group and has hosted numerous wine tastings. She is also a beverage consultant for Good Commons. Follow Kristen's wine adventures at www.WinewithKristen.com  Jessica Ruth Shepard (Massage Therapist/Facilitator) received her professional training as a Holistic health Counselor from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City, where she studied and became an expert in over one hundred dietary theories and practical lifestyle-coaching methods.  Prior to her study in holistic health counseling, Jessica participated in a concentrative bodywork program at Antioch College, managed a yoga and Pilates studio in Denver, Colorado, wile simultaneously running her own successful massage practice, and worked with hundreds of athletes on numerous cycling tours, in addition to privately.  Jessica has studied several alternative healing methods, including: The Rosen Method, Polarity Therapy, and stress reduction techniques. http://www.goodcommons.com/GF2012meetup.html

Czech Out Gluten-Free Fun

You may or may not have noticed that last Friday I missed my first recipe of the week since the beginning of 2011. I am disappointed that I missed my weekly recipe posting, but I will make it up by posting two recipes this Friday. Last week I was not only busy, but majorly distracted.

Dear readers, I am excited to announce that I am going to the Czech Republic three weeks from today!

I love to travel and when I get the urge to go somewhere it is just a flurry of fast and furious planning to get out of New York City as fast as possible. I'm not sure why I plan my vacations this way, but I have been doing this for the past 6 years. My best trips have been my solo trips that I plan in less than a month. This month, the travel bug buzzed in my ear again and I was ready to pack up and take another vacation as soon as possible. Then last week, I took the plunge and booked my tickets to Prague.

I have always heard wonderful things about Prague and had two friends that have lived there at some point during their lives who continue to rave about the magical city even many years later. I started researching Prague and the Czech Republic in the beginning of March. I got every guide book I could get my hands on out of the library and started casting a really wide net over the Internet looking for resources. I am always determined to get all the information I can before traveling somewhere new, especially as someone on a gluten-free diet. So I spent the first two weeks of March researching this dream destination and then two interesting things happened to me.

At a book launch party for Allergic Girl here in NYC, I met a girl who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease right in the middle of a round-the-world trip. First of all, I always admire people that take this enormous plunge to travel THE ENTIRE WORLD. (Side note: next to blogging and reading about Celiac Disease, I am obsessed with reading travel blogs.) Second of all, this girl was literally put in the hospital for three weeks in the middle of her trip only to get a diagnosis of Celiac Disease and then kept right on traveling!! Although I only spoke with this girl for about 5 minutes during a slightly chaotic event I was more than inspired by her story and can't wait to get together with her soon to learn more about her travels and diagnosis.

The next thing that happened was that I posted on FB the following question: "Does being gluten-free stop you from doing things you did pre-diagnosis like socializing, traveling, dining out, etc.?" The answers were heartbreaking. So many of my dear readers shared their emotional struggle with going gluten-free. They drastically changed their socializing habits, felt ostracized by friends and family and basically stopped dining out and traveling. This really broke my heart, especially as someone that grew up as a Celiac and not diagnosed as an adult. I went home that night dejected and thinking a trip to Eastern Europe was more than I can handle and that I was making the wrong decision to go to Prague.

When I woke up on Thursday, I realized a few things. In my almost 33 years of life, I have almost never let Celiac Disease stop me from doing anything. Why was I going to let something stop me now? Next, I knew I had already done a ton of my travel homework downloading Czech translation cards about Celiac Disease, learning about the gluten-free diet in the Czech Republic, and finding local supermarkets in Prague. Additionally, I contacted at least two Czech Celiac organizations and found Facebook pages that were more Euro-centric when it came to gluten-free dining in Europe. I was basically looking for excuses NOT to book my ticket (my sister is sick, my job needs me...they don't, I can't afford it, etc.) but I really had NO good excuse not to go. It basically came down to me pushing myself so far out of my comfort zone that I was freaking out. As a last-minute traveler, this has happened to me before. I simply called my mom and a few supportive friends for a pep talk and I was on my way booking a direct flight from JFK to PRG.

Now, I am beyond excited/nervous/freaking out to announce that I am going to the Czech Republic just five days after my 33rd birthday. This is probably the craziest birthday present I have ever bought myself but I am really happy that I am doing this trip. I will probably continue to freak out until the end of the trip, but at least I will be doing so in Prague! I will be struggling with an utterly foreign language when trying to order my food, trying to figure out currency on the fly, and navigating a formerly communist country. Am I crazy? Maybe. Am I letting Celiac Disease stop me? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I will most definitely share my Czech tips, photos, and resources with you readers when I return but until then wish me luck and feel free to send me any additional travel tips you might have. Thanks!

Two Hotels in Ireland That Treat Gluten-Free Guests Like Royalty

Are you planning a trip to Ireland any time soon? If so, please check out the featured review this week on the Gluten-Free Travel Site. A family friend has been doing a lot of traveling both pre- and post-Celiac diagnose so her insight about places to stay and dine are very thorough and insightful. Her reviews are specifically about the Killarney Avenue Hotel and the Mespil Hotel in Dublin.

Featured Review: September 2009

Two Hotels in Ireland That Treat Gluten-Free Guests Like Royalty

Celiac Friendly Hotels in Ireland – On vacation, we stayed in five hotels in Ireland during April 2009. Trafalgar booked them all as part of our tour. About 3 weeks before departure, when I received our trip package, I emailed each hotel informing them of the dates I would be their guest and of my dietary needs. I asked for acknowledgements in response to my email to assure safe eating at least at breakfast each day. Two of the hotels deserve special recognition for their professionalism and attentiveness to my diet requirements, not restricted to Celiac Gluten-Free.

Killarney Avenue Hotel

Location: Kenmare Place (in town centre facing the Golden Gate entrance to Killarneys National Park), Killarney County, Kerry, IRELAND
Phone: Tel: +353 (0) 64 21100
Reserva: +353 (0) 64 21111
FAX:+ 353 (0) 64 31755
Website: http://www.odonoghue-ring-hotels.com/killarney-avenue
Trip Type: Group tour of Ireland with Trafalgar Tours
Travel Dates: April 2009
Review Posted: August 2009

KILLARNEY AVENUE HOTEL in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland – The tour included breakfast and dinner in this hotel. For both meals, Restaurant Manager Norman reserved a separate table for me and my husband, at Chef Khairul’s request. The chef came to meet us, saying he was responsible for us and wanted to ensure the best for our dining experience. He and his staff took every precaution to avert cross-contamination. Both meals were delightfully varied, fully flavorful, served attractively and in complete compliance with safe gluten-free requirements. We were told they hosted 35 Celiacs (Coeliacs) not long ago so all staff members were aware of Coeliac and safe food handling and the consequences if not followed carefully. I soon knew I was in a truly “safe” environment for my food concerns.

The Killarney Avenue Hotel was a true joy, not having to question every ingredient or method each step of the way. Every staff member exhibited understanding and courteous compliance in a friendly, professional manner. During our dining visits, the manager came several times to our table to assure that all things were well and the chef came to our table to discuss how he prepared for my arrival. They made me feel completely at home away from home. In addition, I let them know what a superb job they do.

Upon arrival at Killarney Avenue Hotel, I was handed a list of what I could safely eat. Items which were either on the menu or would be prepared for me while I was their guest. They were terrific in every aspect. They fully addressed every one of my diet concerns, the first time, every time we dined with them.

Around the corner from the Killarney Avenue Hotel was Murphy's, a safe, fresh ice cream shop to indulge in unusual and regular flavors as a Celiac. Yummy!

One other hotel we stayed at on our tour also deserves special recognition for their professionalism and attentiveness to my diet requirements, and that was the Mespil Hotel in Dublin County, Dublin, Ireland.


Mespil Hotel
Location: Baggot Street Bridge on Mespil Road, Dublin 4, in County Dublin, IRELAND
Phone: Tel: +353 1 488 4600
FAX:+ 353 1 667 1244
Website: http://www.mespilhotel.com
Trip Type: Group tour of Ireland with Trafalgar Tours
Travel Dates: April 2009
Review Posted: August 2009

MESPIL HOTEL is centrally located in Ballsbridge within Georgian Dublin, an elegant and stylish part of Dublin city centre and just 15 minutes' walk from St. Stephens Green. When I entered the restaurant for breakfast, the manager paging “the gluten-free guest” greeted me. He had prepared fresh containers of cereal, a sweetener, and bread - each labeled with my name – as well as a new cold carton of soymilk. All were gluten-free. I combined these items with preserves, fresh fruits and coffee for a first class breakfast and a great start for touring Dublin and Ireland.

A few other venues of note:

Across from Kilkenny Castle was a tasty luncheon room located on the second floor above the gift shop that overlooks the castle courtyard. Their soups were all gluten-free, made fresh daily and most tasty. They offered fresh gluten-free muffins and huge brownies that would satisfy a giant’s sweet tooth. Their salads and soups were robust. They understood Coeliac (celiac), gluten-free dining was quick, and easy which was such a delight. This lunch place was at our leisure and one we were happy to find suiting my gluten-free diet quite nicely.

Nancy Hands Bar & Restaurant, 30-32 Parkgate Street, Dublin 8, Ireland, is a classic bar and restaurant situated close to Dublin’s Phoenix Park, the National Museum at Collins Barracks, and a short stroll from Heuston train station. Telephone +353 1 677 0149 and Fax +353 1 677 0187.

This was a nice find. They seated 50 people upstairs promptly. Our Trafalgar tour manager Bernard Creegan was terrific at making things happen and appearing to be effortless. This was our last dinner in Ireland for our group. Nancy Hands’ Dominic took care of our traveling group and was most helpful in every way as the menu planned for the group was not gluten-free. Dominic accommodated my celiac diet most happily. The full meal was hot, tasty and most pleasant. How nice to dine with so many and not be singled out because of a special diet. Touring the bar alone is worth the trip. I was served in a timely manner and my dishes were flavorful.

**Note: When planning a trip outside the U.S., I email each place we will be staying, informing them of the dates I will be their guest. Along with my dietary needs, I also email examples of what I can eat in my emails, not only what I cannot eat. I ask for their email acknowledgements in response to assure safe eating at least at breakfast each day. I make sure to have replies from each before leaving on my trip. Dinner usually works the same way. Upon arrival at each place, I also remind them of whom I contacted in advance and again give my diet cards prior to meal times to the head chef, maitre d', and whomever I discuss my food selections. I usually don't have to ask the tour guide to contact the next hotel on departure morning to verify that gluten free needs are on order but I do confirm every day they did this reminder for me.