TRAVELING WITH DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: VEGAN NOMADISM: HOW TO SURVIVE IN ITALY
With technology making collaborative work possible from anywhere, digital nomadism has become a popular lifestyle for people working in a wide variety of professions. If you work as a digital nomad, you already know that one of the best parts of the job is the freedom to travel and explore some truly spectacular locations. There’s a long list of countries that are welcoming to digital nomads, and Italy is on that list.
Having introduced a digital nomad visa in 2023, the country is clearly embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, and anyone would be well-served to go and spend some time there. The scenery is beautiful, the people are friendly, and there is so much history to take in.
But Italy is possibly most famous for one thing above all of those others: the food! Anybody who finds themselves in Italy is missing out big time if they don’t spend a fair amount of time exploring the local food scene.
If you’re a digital nomad and you’re planning to head to Italy to work and explore, you are no exception to this. However, it’s important for digital nomads with dietary restrictions to be aware of a few things when heading to Italy. If you’re vegan, you can most definitely enjoy all the great food Italy has to offer. Just be sure to remember a few things:
Research Vegan-Friendly Restaurants
Before you head off in the direction of Italy, hop on the internet to see what you can find out about vegan restaurants in the area where you’ll be staying. Larger Italian cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice will have plenty of options for you to try, and you may find that even some smaller towns have what you’re looking for. Although vegan food is going to be easy enough to find anywhere in the country, Puglia is arguably the most vegan-friendly area, having a strong tradition of plant-based dishes there.
Learn Helpful Phrases
It’s always a good idea to have a few handy phrases in the local language ready to go when you’re traveling anywhere. If you’re planning to head to Italy as a vegan, or with any dietary restrictions for that matter, you’ll want to prepare yourself in advance with a couple of short sentences to get your needs across. For example, if you can memorize the phrase “Sono vegano/vegana”, which means “I am vegan”, you’ll save yourself a lot of worry and potential miscommunication with servers. Another good one to know is “Non mangio carne, pesce, uova, o latticini”, which means “I don’t eat meat, fish, eggs, or dairy”. Even knowing just these two sentences can save you a lot of grief!
Try Traditional Vegan Dishes
There are actually many Italian dishes that are vegan already! You might be able to enjoy pasta al pomodoro (pasta with tomato sauce), pasta aglio e olio (pasta with garlic and olive oil), bruschetta, or pizza marinara, but be sure that there isn’t any egg or dairy in the dough when you order. Also be on the lookout for minestrone soup, or “caponata”, which is eggplant, tomatoes, olives, onions, and capers fried in olive oil. Both are sure to be incredible!
Check Out Markets And Grocery Stores
If you want to find fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts, look no further than Italian markets. The local markets are sure to have plenty of options for snacks and vegan ingredients, making them the perfect spot to check out before leaving town for a picnic or hike. Also, a lot of the major supermarkets in Italy will have alternate milk options and other vegan products, so if you’re cooking from your apartment or co-living space, you should have no trouble getting the type of food that you need.
Watch Out For Hidden Ingredients
This is always a tough one no matter where you’re traveling. Hidden ingredients in doughs, sauces, and other types of food can be tricky to keep track of, but if you’re careful, you should be able to steer clear of anything that violates your diet. In some traditional Italian dishes, there might be cheese, butter, or meat involved as some kind of base or garnish. When you’re ordering food from a restaurant, be sure to have those handy phrases that we talked about earlier ready to go. It’s a digital nomad’s nightmare to have to derail your work or travel plans because an unexpected ingredient made you sick!
Try Gelato From Veg-Friendly Gelaterias
Great news! Gelato is absolutely not out of the question for those of us vegan digital nomads with a sweet tooth. Italy is famous for its gelato, and you’ve got to try this creamy cool treat while you’re there. There are actually quite a few gelato places that use fruit or plant-based ingredients to make certain flavors. Just look for labels like “gelato vegano” or “senza latte” (without milk) at gelato shops to steer you toward the right choices. Some highly recommended places for vegan gelato are Majer Venezia in Venice, Officina di OGGI Gelato in Bologna, and Gelateria Perce No in Florence, which makes all of their fruit flavors with only fruit, water, and sugar, no dyes or preservatives!
Look For “Cucina Vegetariana” Restaurants
Cucina vegetariana means vegetarian kitchen in Italian. Although you’ll still need to be cautious of hidden ingredients that don’t comply with a vegan diet, many of these restaurants may also offer vegan dishes. There’s a good chance that they’ll at least be more sensitive to your needs as a vegan eater than some other restaurants would be. See what you can find!
Apps, Websites, And Events
These days, there are so many options and resources for vegans online. It’s a great idea to explore some apps like Vegan Xpress or VegVisit to point you toward some meal options while traveling. Also, why not plan your time in Italy so that it lines up with a vegan event or festival? You’re sure to find great food and like-minded travelers at places like the MiVeg Vegan festival in Milan, or by checking out some sort of a vegan meet-up group.
Sticking to your vegan diet doesn’t have to be difficult as a digital nomad. Even in a place like Italy where mouthwatering food is everywhere you turn, you can still stay on the right track with just this little bit of extra planning and preparation. Now, get over there and enjoy that Italian digital nomad lifestyle to the fullest!