Italy Welcomes Plant-Based Vacationers & Notable Guests

Two agencies - Tierno Tours and Green Earth Travel - have joined forces to envision and execute an exciting excursion for veg-friendly folks with a passion for Italian. Those who in the past have felt marginalized, daunted by Europe's abundance of meats, cheeses and dishes brimming with eggs (soufflés, quiche and meringue, oh my!) need no longer yearn for a suitable - and superior - option. Finally, a trip has emerged with their ethics and diets in mind, a trip that proves a win-win for plant-based eaters and animal lovers alike.   Indeed, 2015 marks the inaugural year of the Vegano Italiano Festival, a month-long immersion in Southern Italy for people with an appreciation for plants and pasta - hold the parm! Broken into four one-week trips in July, Vegano Italiano entails a 7-night-8-day stay in The National Park of Cilento, a UNESCO site, with daytime trips to neighboring areas, including Pompeii and Positano, as well as myriad more historical and cultural locations.   Perhaps most enticing for vegan scenesters is the presence each week of different veggie figureheads. From Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan of the popular podcast, TV program and blog Our Hen House to the ever-venerated No Meat Athlete Matt Frazier; from desserts diva and the authority on all things chocolate Fran Costigan to vegan cheese connoisseur and TV personality Miyoko Schinner, among others, there's no shortage of talent and taste, entertainment and education amid the special guests lineup.   People are already abuzz about this recently introduced approach to exploring Italy, complete with newsworthy culinary nuance, in a place long lauded for its traditional edible delights. It's been said that there's nothing new under the sun, but Vegano Italiano demonstrates this simply isn't true.   About Tierno Tours Founded in 2009 by husband and wife team Pasquale Tierno and Gretchen Sheridan, Tierno Tours arranges boutique tours of Southern Italy with a discerning insider's curatorial touch. The Roccadaspide-based duo knows just where to go and what to see for the very best, most bespoke European experience: from inviting accommodations to exciting excursions, historical sightseeing to exquisite dining, wine tastings to live entertainment, leisure activities to athletic endeavors, shopping to boating and beyond. Specialty tours cater to horseback riders and hiking enthusiasts, traditional foodies and avid vegans, among countless other dream themes. Bilingual guides with expert knowledge of the area - be it the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Rome or anywhere else within the southern region - accompany every tour group.   About Green Earth Travel Seasoned world traveler Donna Zeigfinger founded Green Earth Travel in 1997 with one mission in mind: to provide a wide range of travel options for people who crave adventure and care about the planet. Since then, the company has remained on the cutting edge of conscientious tourism and become the nation's premiere vegetarian/vegan/eco travel agency. The company lives up to its name by booking trips that promote sustainability, biodiversity and leaving a light footprint on the earth. Donna draws on her own experiences to meticulously plan each package and turn fantasy vacations into reality. She specializes in creating customized volunteer vacation and adventure travel packages, for groups, individuals, couples and families.   For inquiries about Vegano Italiano, please contact: Donna Zeigfinger Green Earth Travel LLC info@greenearthtravel.com 888.246.8343

Web: http://www.greenearthtravel.com/2015-the-inaugural-year-of-vegano-italiano-festival/

Germany’s Vegan Paradise + Tips From Expert World Travelers

Kristin | 

This is a guest post by Capri.

In April of 2014, my husband and I embarked on a two week adventure to Germany. We chose to spend the bulk of our trip in Berlin after hearing about the amazing vegan scene. Berlin is also full of fabulous street art, museums, and history all wrapped up in a vibrant European city with excellent public transportation. Before departing I read up on the many great Berlin offerings on the informative English site, The ExBerliner. I highly recommend utilizing the site, and the print magazine (available for purchase in many spots in Berlin) to get in touch with events, dining, shopping, nightlife, music, and culture.

I always travel with is my Happycow iPhone App, which is a guide to vegetarian, vegan and veg friendly dining and shopping around the world. Over the years, I have used it or the website, in all seven continents. (As you guessed there aren’t any listings in Antarctica).

Europe’s Vegan Grocery Store Chain + Abundant Vegan Eats

After landing in Frankfurt, we settled into our hotel and immediately searched out Veganz, the all vegan grocery store chain. Veganz has several stores across Europe stocking every vegan grocery item imaginable including an extensive offering of vegan candy/chocolate, vegan cheese, fruits and vegetable, frozen items, personal care items, household cleaners, books etc.They also stock my two favorite vegan cheeses, Vegusto, fragrant sharp cheeses, and CreamyRisellathe luscious soft cheese. It was refreshing to be able to purchase anything without scrutinizing labels for hidden animals ingredients. Fearing poor selection at the train station, we selected some snacks and treats for our train trip the next day. We had a nice lunch of pizza buns at the attached Sesamo vegan cafe. The cafe serves smoothies, sandwiches, pastas dishes, deserts etc. Frankfurt also has a funky vegan bakery, Edelkiosk, which offers sweet and savoury items including cakes, pizza buns, and chocolate bars. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the vegan Wondergood restaurant.

Frankfurt Veganz

Edelkiosk cupcake

Wondergood walnut stuffed ravioli

Wondergood Seitan medallians

We spent the night in Frankfurt and headed by train to Berlin in the morning. We easily accessed the train station via the metro and were pleasantly surprised to see several vegan options labelled at the different train station establishments. We ended up having a vegan burrito fromBurrito Bande. The train was about four hours and very comfortable, and gave us a chance to see the German countryside as well.

We chose our Berlin accommodations via the vacation rental site, AirBnB. We found a fantastic, affordable, flat in the central neighbourhood of Kruezberg. The location was perfect, close to metro stops and an easy train ride or walk to the Veganz vegan grocery store, with two locations in Berlin. Our flat had a kitchen which we though might come in handy but we found the food so amazing in Berlin that we only ever ate breakfast at home before heading out for a full day of adventure. Berlin is really a vegan paradise and we attempted to check out as many vegan spots as possible.

Sometimes we didn’t even eat breakfast at home! Our favourite breakfast was the expansive weekend brunch buffet at the vegan Miomatto, the lovely Italian style eatery above the Veganz grocery store, and next door to the Avesu vegan shoe store. We enjoyed both sweet and savoury items including a bread basket, vegan cheese platter, vegan deli slices, assorted salads and hot dishes, plus desserts. We thought it was a fair price for the selection too. Miomatto became a favourite place for us where we ate many memorable lunches and dinners. There is also a good review of Mio Matto on The Exberliner; “Mio Matto: Easy Vegan.” Check out some of my photos below:

Mio Matto

Gnocchi

Potato Soup

Bread Basket

Brownie and mousse

There are a variety of vegan and vegetarian dining establishments including bakeries, fast food, and fine dining. A favorite bakery was Ohlala Vegan French Bakery. The desserts were very decadent! (Be forewarned that it is closed Mondays, which is why the photo shows a closed up shop).

Ohlala Bakery

Bakery counter

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pyramid

And what about vegan crepes? We had some tasty ones at Let It Be Vegan Creperie. They offered both sweet and savoury crepes.

For fast food my all time favorite was the vegetarian Yellow Sunshine diner. They have a separate vegan menu which includes the amazing breaded chickin’ burger with yummy fries. They also had desserts including vegan mousse, cake and tiramisu (selection varied day to day). They were just around the corner from us so we visited a few times.

Vegan chickin’ burger and fries

We also checked out Voner the vegan doner and kebab spot. It had a rotating spit of seitan which was sliced up and loaded into a sandwich with lots of topping and sauce options, including vegan mayo for the fries. We had a wonderful time at the all vegan pizzeria, Sfizy Veg. The pizza dough was cooked to perfection and topped with amazing vegan “gorgonzola” cheese.

Sfizy Veg storefront

Sfizy Veg pizza

As mentioned above we adored Mio Matto for more upscale dining, but it was edged out only slightly byKopps Bar and Restaurant. We had amazing meals there in the fresh and bright atmosphere. They recommend reservations as it can get very busy later at night. However, we generally arrived for dinner when they opened at 5:30 and never had a problem with immediately getting a table with no reservation. Check out the delightful offerings:

Bread Basket with faux egg salad

Savoury Strudel

Potato Skewer

Pumpkin pannacotta

Chocolate lava cake

Berlin also offers unique vegan shopping including two different locations of the Avesu vegan shoe store. As mentioned earlier, one of the Avesu shops is located next to Mio Matto restaurant and Veganz grocery. The other one is on the ‘vegan avenue’ located next to the other Veganz and the DearGoodsvegan clothing store. Avesu offers a large selection of casual, athletic and dressy shoes, shoe care products, and bags. DearGoods had unique and beautiful clothing for both men and women.

Avesu

DearGoods

After the shopping is done and you are feeling stuffed from all this delectable food, check out the recently opened, all vegan gym, Berlin Strength. After all Patrik Baboumian, Germany’s Strongest Man is also vegan.