Tell Ultreya Tours about coeliac disease, allergies and intolerances before accommodation and meals are confirmed. Name the allergen, the severity of the reaction and whether cross-contact is a medical risk. “Gluten-free preference” and diagnosed coeliac disease require different kitchen precautions.

Restaurants in the European Union must make information available for 14 regulated allergens, including gluten-containing cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soya, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin and molluscs. The information may be on the menu, in a separate chart or supplied by staff.

Gluten-free on the Camino

Use soy celíaca/celíaco for coeliac disease and sin gluten for gluten-free. Ask whether food uses a separate fryer, clean utensils and a preparation surface free from flour and crumbs. Chips can share oil with breaded croquettes or calamari. Grilled meat or fish can be cooked on a surface used for bread. Sauces, stock cubes and cured meats also need checking.

Naturally gluten-free possibilities include plain grilled fish or meat, potatoes, rice, eggs, vegetables, pulpo á feira and many corn-based products. Their ingredients may be suitable while the preparation area is not, so ask rather than assuming.

Larger supermarkets and many pharmacies sell packaged gluten-free products. Keep a reliable snack in your day bag for small villages, late arrivals and Sundays. Read the label each time; familiar packaging can have a different recipe in another country.

Food-allergy phrases

  • Tengo una alergia grave a…: I have a severe allergy to…
  • No puedo comer…: I cannot eat…
  • ¿Puede contener trazas de…?: Could it contain traces of…?
  • ¿Se cocina en el mismo aceite?: Is it cooked in the same oil?
  • Necesito evitar la contaminación cruzada: I need to avoid cross-contact.

Carry your medication with you while walking, never in transferred luggage. Bring enough for the journey, keep it in its original packaging and carry a written emergency plan. If you use an adrenaline auto-injector, your companion should know where it is and how to follow your medical instructions. Spain and Portugal use 112 for emergencies.

Translation cards are valuable for complex or multiple allergies. Hand the card to the person responsible for the kitchen, while also explaining the severity aloud. A card supports the conversation; it does not replace it.

What we need from you

Send us the medical name of each allergy or intolerance, foods that are safe, the cross-contact requirement and a contact number before travel. We can relay this to included hotels and restaurants. No agency can guarantee an allergen-free environment in an independent kitchen, so the final check with restaurant staff remains essential at every meal.