CeliacChicks

Gluten-Free Tivoli

View from the lookout at Hadrian's Villa. Looks like a painting, no?

An interesting day trip from Rome is a visit to Hadrian's Villa. We took the train to the town of Tivoli, and then the No. 4 bus a short 4 miles to the site.* Evidently, the town of Tivoli itself has a lot to offer tourists, but just touring Hadrian's Villa took us an entire day.

The Italian name for Hadrian's Villa

Emperor Hadrian liked to get away from it all at his summer villa located within the Tiburtini Hills. His private retreat was built between AD 118 and 134 or as Zoolander would say, "a really, really, really long time ago." 

Gluten-Free Rome

The Arch of Septimius Severus from AD 203

[The continuing saga that left off in Sardinia...]

Here are some snapshots of experiences while in Rome that totally made the trip worthwhile, despite the challenge of finding gluten-free, corn-free, and dairy-free food.

Charming windows

The famous Calling of St. Matthew by Caravaggio in San Luigi dei Francesi

My friends were the perfect combination of art and history snobs, so I just followed their lead to many Roman treasures.

Gluten-Free Italy: Sardinia

Our hotel room window

Thank you for letting me get my Debbie Downer whining out of the way. Now we can move on to the real reasons to visit Italy. As you will see, there was a visual feast at all times. 

Our first stop was the island of Sardinia. The friends I traveled with had relatives with a vacation house there. Unfortunately, it was too full for us to stay there, but we found accommodations at the lovely Hotel Altura close by. I would highly recommend this hotel. It was clean, basic yet charming, and the price was right.

The view while peeking outside of the hotel room window

Gluten-Free Italy: The Agony & The Ecstasy

Ah, where do I begin? My trip to Italy was fantastico!! I went to Sardinia, Rome, and Tivoli. I can’t wait to tell you all about these amazing places, but I know you want me to start with the food!

For me, since I’m a freak of nature with dairy and corn allergies on top of gluten issues, eating was the “Agony” part of the trip. But don’t you worry! If any one of you has been afraid to go to Italy due to just your gluten-free diet restrictions, don’t let fear hold you back anymore! Armed with the restaurant listings and phrases in Maria Rogilieri’s book The Gluten-Free Guide To Italy you should have no problem navigating this land of sensory overload.

However, if you have additional food allergies, like me, then you’ll definitely need to familiarize yourself with the traditional ingredients in classic Italian dishes. I especially appreciated Let's Eat Out! Your Passport For Living Gluten And Allergy Free for this. I also  love it that this book has charts including other allergens in typical dishes and the food phrases in various languages pertaining to them. This was indispensable when it came to creating my personal gluten-, corn-, and dairy-free dining card.

And, I recommend that anyone with any food restriction situation pack plenty of food for the long flight, breakfast, lunch and snacks. Your tummy will thank you later!

THE FLIGHT
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but it seems that you still can’t entirely trust an airline to serve you a gluten-free meal. Add additional food allergy issues into the mix and you are more than likely going to be disappointed by your in-flight meal and snacks.

Gluten-Free, Corn-Free, Dairy-Free Italian/English Restaurant Card

 

Here's a photo of my first meal in Italy. I used the information below to communicate with the waiter and it worked! I have no idea what this was, some sort of beef in an amazingly delicious red sauce with capers. I also can't really tell you the name of the restaurant or the exact location due the fact that I was sleep deprived and had jet lag at the time.

Below is the Italian restaurant card I created that explains my gluten, corn, and dairy allergies. I know there are a few of you out there with the same food issues. Hope this helps!