Tag: agents

India

Gluten-Free Travel in India

Erin Smith

I received an interesting email earlier this year from a travel agency based in India. Gluten Free Travel India, managed by Contre Glutino, is a travel agency that recently started catering to gluten-free travelers in India. Gluten Free Travel India helps travelers from around the world put together an amazing tour of India. They also provide many resources for gluten-free travelers on their website including gluten-free restaurants by states in India, a letter to the chef explaining the gluten-free diet, and translation cards in Hindi.

I recently interviewed Vikas Gupta of Gluten Free Travel India via email about gluten-free travel in India.

From the Gluten Free Travel India website

Gluten Free Travel India

Our operation model is quite straight forward. We cater gluten free needs of the customer right from the time customers arrives at the airport till the departure, so that person can enjoy vacation free from worry to find gluten free food.

What inspired you to start this company? 

It was mainly because of availability of gluten free products in India. About six months ago we attended a program sponsored by Celiac Society of India. That programme was also attended by Chief Minister of Delhi. We attended that program just by chance (to cover interview of our Chief Minister) and that was the first time when we came to know about this allergy. But that was really an eye opener for us, because in Northern India we are primarily dependent on Wheat and wheat related products as compared to South India. We met few people there and then we realised that this is acute problem and awareness of this allergy is really missing, even amongst the doctors [in India].

How did it begin? 

We initially started this by providing gluten free goods to people who are in need in Delhi area. We started providing goods at their home, so that we can meet those people personally to understand the challenges that they are facing in their day-to-day life. But this was just a beginning, we later started interacting with hospitals, schools and Embassy so that we can support wider population.

Is it common for people in India to have Celiac?

Three months ago, we realised this allergy is quite common amongst foreigners as compared to Indians. So we started interacting with hotels. At that time, we formally named ourselves as Contre Glutino (Anti-Gluten).

Can you tell me more about your travel agency?

We really don’t want to restrict our services to Indian citizens. We have now decided to extend our services to foreigners by providing them end-to-end services, thereby providing option to visit and explore my country.

We are in best place to provide this service, since we are supplying goods to hotels, airlines, restaurants etc. How we operate is unique as compared to any other travel agent in India, especially because we take care of diet requirements of the travellers. Along with our travel agency business, we supply gluten free goods to organisations such as hotels, restaurants, schools, hospitals, embassies, and airlines.

We have a big list of gluten free items to cater needs of different consumers. We provide bread mix, cake mix, pastas, salad dressing, etc to the commercial organisation and provide ready to eat products like cookies, breakfast cereals, and chocolates to individual consumers.

I was very impressed by the services that Vikas’s company can provide for a Gluten-Free Globetrotter and his understanding of gluten-free dietary needs. Gluten Free Travel India goes above and beyond being a travel agency striving to make your gluten-free travel in India as comfortable and safe as possible.

If you would like more information about gluten-free travel in India, please contact Vikas Gupta at vikas.contreglutino@ gmail.com or by phone at +91 9811821261. Please tell him you learned about his agency through Erin at Gluten-Free Globetrotter.

You can also visit their website at www.glutenfreetravelindia.com and find them on Facebook.

Mexico

Gluten Free Arts and Culture Tour in Mexico

Erin Smith

Gluten Free Arts & Culture Tour: August 4-11, 2012 
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico featuring guest chef David Ferguson
$2800 per person (double occupancy)

Colibri Culinary Travel is offering a gluten free arts and culture tour to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Travel + Leisure Magazine’s #4 pick for top ten world destinations. For eight days and seven nights, travelers will enjoy farm-to-table, organic cuisine and classes from resident chef Alicia Rivero, and guest chef David Ferguson. Chef David combined a love of BBQ with a passion for strong Mexican spicing and applied his fine-dining training (he earned his stripes at Toqué! and Au Pied de Cochon) to create one of Montreal’s most idiosyncratic and best loved dining establishments, roadhouse-style restaurant Le Jolifou.

Casa de la Noche, a former bordello turned stylish inn offers rooms with private baths, spacious dining and peaceful courtyard areas. It features a water purification system and offers wireless Internet and free US telephone service. And, centrally located in San Miguel’s historic center, it is only three blocks from the main garden square of San Miguel, home of the famous pink cathedral, the Paroquia.

Included:
All meals, lodging, airport transfers, activities, classes, gratuities, tequila tasting, entrance fees, Colibri’s own self guided tour handbook.

Group Activity Highlights

Payment

Immediate deposit of 50% confirmed upon clearance of payment secures space. 100% balance due July 10. Email Cate Lazen at colibriculinarytravel@gmail.comfor payment instructions and questions about anything. Interested in this trip? Email Cate and don’t forget to mention Gluten-Free Globetrotter!

Refunds:

100% by June 23
50% by July 14
25% by July 21
After July 21 none

Travel Insurance:
Colibri strongly recommends http://www.insuremytrip.com at your own cost.

Colibri’s self guided tours (instructions, maps included):

  • Markets: organic produce, artisan/crafts, etc
  • Mariachi and salsa music performance
  • Botanical Gardens

Trip Does not include:
Round trip airfare to Mexico, personal alcohol, personal expenses (prescriptions, toiletries, etc.) and activities/cabs/tips outside of Colibri agenda (e.g. spa services, excursions classes).

Interested in this trip? Email Cate and mention Gluten-Free Globetrotter!

 

About Colibri founder, Catherine Lazen

Since my diagnosis of celiac disease in 2008, I’ve enjoyed the best health of my entire life on a strict gluten free diet. But I sure do miss my korean barbeque– and I’d give anything for an empanada or a spicy hot pot curry. After several accidental gluten exposures in hometown and New York City restaurants made me sick, I came to a painful conclusion. I cannot eat outside my own kitchen without serious risk.

In 2011, I  launched Colibri, my custom catered travel solution designed to set me and my community of special dieters free. I’ve vetted villas and haciendas, trained chefs and from bedding thread counts to dessert plates– I’ve touched, slept on, tasted and experienced everything we offer through Colibri. I’ve brought my personal aesthetic of causal elegance, taste for farm-to-table cuisine and commitment to the sustainable travel together in one-of-kind experiences designed to nourish mind, body and spirit. For anyone who has ever played it safe ordering the side salad, eaten out of ziplock bags, gone hungry, gotten sick or stayed home, Colibri offers once-in-a-lifetime foodie tours in Mexico and El Salvador. (I’ll add destinations in Costa Rica, Brazil and Chile in the months to come!)

Mexico

Gluten-Free in San Miguel, Mexico

Erin Smith

I am still always amazed by the power of the Internet. Back in early December, I received an email through my blog from a woman was launching a gluten-free travel business. Little did she know, I not only write Gluten-Free Fun but I also write this gluten-free travel blog. Since I am always interested in learning about gluten-free travel opportunities, I quickly responded to Cate Lazen, founder of Colibri Custom Catered Travel.

Cate takes a slightly different approach to gluten-free travel. Instead of dining out, Cate brings in a world-class chef to prepare gluten-free meals in local accommodations. As a former resident of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Cate knows the area, culture, and most importantly food that is local and delicious.

Colibri Custom Catered Travel
Colibri Custom Catered Travel

Here are some details about Cate’s maiden voyage with Colibri Custom Catered Travel coming later this spring!

Colibri Custom Catered Travel is offering a special discount for its maiden voyage to Travel + Leisure Magazine’s #4 pick for top world destinations: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. For seven days and nights, travelers with gluten sensitivity and those committed to the organic, sustainable lifestyle will enjoy farm-to-table, organic and GF cuisine and insider guide services from Colibri founder and former San Miguel resident Cate Lazen.

Trip includes all custom catered meals and outdoor adventure, town and farm tours, musical performance, tequila tastings, cultural experiences and more. A spacious hacienda in the middle of the historic center of town provides both private rooms and spacious dining areas under one roof.

http://www.facebook.com/Colibrivacations?sk=app_163683253729146 (be sure to click on all the tabs to meet our chefs, view our lodgings, and read sample menus.)

The combination of world class chef talent and locally sourced, organic ingredients make all Colibri trips extraordinary foodie experiences and socially/environmentally responsible travel alternatives. Colibri travelers eat delicious food and support sustainable farming projects, fair wages, water conservation and soil preservation.

The Colibri launch trip is scheduled for one of San Miguel’s most culturally vibrant times of the year: the week leading up to and including Palm Sunday: the 26th of March through April 2.

In celebration of Colibri’s launch and maiden voyage, Cate is offering a 25% discount for her full service package:

$2000 per person
$2520 per person w/a single room

Payment schedule: An immediate deposit of 50% confirmed upon clearance of payment secures space. 100% balance due March 4.

Refunds:
By Feb. 15 100 %
March 4 50 %
March 17 25%
March 21 none

Travel Insurance – Colibri strongly recommends http://www.insuremytrip.com at your own cost.

Included: all meals lodging, airport transfers, activities, classes, tastings, entrance fees, tips. Does not include: Round trip air fare to Mexico, alcohol, personal expenses (perscriptions, toiletries, etc.), and activities/cabs/tips outside of Colibri agenda (e.g. spa services).

Register here to receive payment details and join our mailing list:
http://www.facebook.com/Colibrivacations?sk=app_263543623698301

If you book this trip, please be sure to mention to Cate that you read about this on Gluten-Free Globetrotter. Thanks!

general

Gluten-Free Cruise

Erin Smith

Sailing the beautiful islands of the Caribbean on Award-Winning
SILVERSEA CRUISES & Gluten Free Travel

November 1-8, 2012

You focus on the fun, Ellen Morse Travel focuses on the food!

Ellen Morse TravelClick here for more information.