Page 33 - Vegan Life - Issue 59 (February 2020)

evolution
The

of vegan travel

Sean O’Callaghan looks towards the future

want to start this month’s column with a 100 per cent vegan, Real Food Daily on water as vegan cruises boom in popularity.
funny memory. site. People in transit through LAX can Vegan Travel started the trend for
I My ex-partner, Josh, and I were on choose from a delicious range of burgers, plant-based cruising a few years ago, taking
a flight to the United States of America and bowls, and salads before moving on to their passengers along European rivers and
he wanted a cup of tea. This story takes next destination. through Norwegian fjords. Flash forward to
place almost 20 years ago, making it quite Travelling as a vegan used to involve 2020 and we have seen the launch of Vegan
optimistic of Josh to ask the cabin crew for a lot of luck, but shopping and eating Culinary Cruises (see over page), a high-end
soya milk with his brew. directory HappyCow (happycow.net) has cruise company ofering vegans and their
The attendant was flabbergasted. done away with all the guessing. friends a chance to set sail in all-inclusive
Without answering Josh directly, she HappyCow is a user-driven database luxury. Mainstream cruise companies are
shouted down the plane to her colleagues, listing vegan and vegan-friendly businesses also falling over themselves to develop
‘Can you believe what this guy just all over the planet. Search functions on both plant-based menus in order to cater to the
asked for? He wants soya milk!’ An the web version and phone app allow users burgeoning vegan cruiser market.
equally incredulous co-worker laughed to narrow down results to purely vegan As we move forward into the future,
uproariously before answering, ‘Next establishments or broaden the search to I’m excited to see what changes are around
thing you know people will be asking for include non-vegan places with plant-based the next bend for vegan travellers. It’s an
cappuccinos in here. We are not a café’. options. As a travelling vegan, you will never exciting time full of so many possibilities.
Flash forward to 2020 and the feel lost with HappyCow at your fingertips. It Asking for plant-based milk on a plane
travel experience for vegans has altered will help you eat, drink, and shop. 20 years seemed like a joke to some people,
drastically. We certainly get laughed at a Vegan bed and breakfasts have recently but I can now stretch my imagination to
lot less. become a welcome addition to the vegan envision a fully vegan airline. With all the
Most major airlines now have a vegan travel landscape. Bed and breakfasts are incredible advances we’ve seen, it doesn’t
meal option, even though you must specify wonderful opportunities to stay in well- seem that farfetched. ■
this choice with plenty of advance warning. appointed family home settings, in rather
I have been served some rather tasty dishes more remote locations than you are likely Follow Sean's vegan adventures on
as a flying vegan including hearty stews, to find a hotel. Traditional B&Bs can be a bit Instagram @fatgayvegan
flavourful curries with tofu, and even a of-putting for vegans as bacon and eggs are
moist and dense chocolate cake. usually on ofer.
You might want to eat before you Vegan homeowners are giving intrepid
even get on your flight, so it is fantastic travellers more compassionate options
news that many airports around the as 100 per cent vegan B&Bs are popping
globe are becoming vegan hotspots in up all over the globe. Loaf B&B is in the
their own right. northernmost town in England, Berwick-
Heathrow Terminal 5 is overflowing upon-Tweed, and their riverside walks are
with vegan options such as the hugely bested only by the nights by the outdoor
satisfying plant-based menu at fire and hearty vegan breakfasts served by
Wagamama and the grab-and-go the hosts.
sandwiches from Boots, while Terminal Compassionate travellers are also
4 of Los Angeles International Airport has, getting more opportunities to take to the

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