9 Delicious Vegetarian Vacations Around The World

plant-based eater enjoying a grilled tofu and dragon fruit buddha bowl at one of Vancouver's best vegan restaurants

There are myriad ways to incorporate gastronomy into your travel experience, from a luxury dinner out to snacking on delectable street food at an open-air market.

But traveling as a vegetarian can come with limitations, especially in destinations where a meat-free diet is relatively rare.

Fear not, epicurious vegetarians; there’s a whole range of travel solutions out there for you to discover.

Here are ten of the best vegetarian-friendly vacations:

vegetarian travel
Photo courtesy of VegVoyages.

1. Explore Laos With VegVoyages

Visit one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept secrets with VegVoyage’s vegetarian tour of Laos.

Uncover jungles, mountains, waterfalls and the Mekong River as you explore this landlocked country, stopping by temples, caves and local villages.

Alongside hiking and swimming activities, savor exotic Laotian vegan banquets and even learn how to prepare this vibrant vegetarian cuisine.

2. Trek To Everest Base Camp Veg Style In Nepal

Not only is hiking to Everest Base Camp one of the most sought-after bucket list activities for adventurers, but trekking the remote Everest area is also a distinctly vegetarian experience.

Everest Base Camp treks take place in the UNESCO-protected Sagarmatha National Park, where the killing of animals is prohibited.

The unhygenic and labor-intensive practice of bringing meat into the park in backpacks means most trekkers and locals favor a high-protein vegetarian diet. Local teahouses and suppliers offer vegetarian options ranging from Dal Bhat, rice and lentil soup, corn roti and vegetarian dumplings: sublime.

There are several Everest Base Camp trek options, such as the Himalayan Eco Trek’s 18-day tour.

vegetarian travel
Photo courtesy of Montali.

3. Enjoy Vegetarian Italian Gastronomy In Umbria, Italy

Italian cuisine may evoke images of prosciutto and salami, but vegetarian Italian food is just as flavorsome, varied and hearty as its meatier fare.

Rich, filling, and delectable vegetarian cuisine reigns supreme at the Montali Vegetarian Country House in Umbria, Italy.

Perched on a beautiful olive-treed hill in the Italian countryside, Montali is no ordinary getaway. With no TV or GPS, and barely any technology of any kind, Montali encourages you to relax and live the slow life.

Meat eaters and vegetarians alike will revel in Montali’s relaxing hotel environs and world-class vegetarian Italian cuisine.

vegetarian travel
Photo courtesy of Waterfall Villas.

4. Sample Gourmet Vegan & Raw Dining In Costa Rica

In the tropical surroundings of Costa Rican nature, bordered by forest, waterfalls and clear streams, lies Waterfall Villas, a retreat dedicated to vegetarian, vegan and raw dining.

Waterfall Villas, one of the top Costa Rica vegan resorts, offers all manner of tailored retreats for vegetarians.

These range from wedding receptions and honeymoons to gourmet vegan, healing, gluten-free, and raw food packages. Additionally, they host rejuvenating yoga programs replete with a vegetarian diet.

Plus, there are plenty of activities available in the surrounding areas, from ocean swimming to nature hikes to art workshops.

vegetarian travel
Photo courtesy of Bicycle Beano.

5. Cycle Green Through England & Wales

In the idyllic surrounds of rural Wales and England, join Bicyle Beanos for a cycling tour of landscapes rich in greenery, castles, lakes, villages, and wilderness.

With small-group tours based out of local, tucked-away accommodations, Bicycle Beanos encourages you to explore local areas through leisurely bike riding during the day, and to fill up on hearty, delicious vegetarian food at night.

Even their meat-eating clients rave about the vegetarian fare, and even after a full day of exercise! Tours start at around 500 pounds per person.

vegetarian travel
Photo courtesy of Paresa Resorts.

6. Relax At A Vegetarian Resort In Phuket, Thailand

One of the finest national cuisines for vegetarians would have to be Thai, with its aromatic curries, fragrant sauces and creative meat substitutes, from tofu to bamboo. Savor the best Thai vegetarian cooking has to offer at the luxury pool villa and resort, Paresa.

Nestled in tropical forest, on the cliffs of Kamala in Phuket, Paresa not only offers vegetarian dining, but a Thai cooking school with vegetarian courses such as “Cook Like a Vegan”.

The classes use locally-grown ingredients and even feature a classroom with a 270-degree view of the ocean; what better place to learn about the glories of Thai vegetarian cuisine?

vegetarian travel
Photo courtesy of Winvian Farm.

7. Visit A Vegetarian Farm In Connecticut, USA

For Americans, there are also plenty of vegetarian fare and travel options to be found on your doorstep. One such example is the picturesque getaway of Winvian Farm, a collection of farmhouses and cottages located on rolling farmland in Litchfield Hills, Connecticut.

Winvian conducts its own non-GMO farming and gardening and features an on-site farm-to-table restaurant with plenty of vegetarian options.

There are also spa and relaxation packages available.

8. Cook & Eat Vegetarian In Napa Valley, California

The Napa Valley in sunny California may be most famous for its wines, but even its wineries are experts in fine vegetarian dining.

At Whitehall Lane Winery, for example, you can enjoy standard winery tours and wine tastings, as well as take cooking classes with the winery chef.

Learn to prepare vegetarian Italian fare using local ingredients like fresh, farm-to-table vegetables. Perfect with a glass of red (or three). Classes run at $125 per person on Fridays and Saturdays.

vegetarian travel
Photo courtesy of Laucala Island.

9. Indulge In Organic Vegetarian Produce In Fiji

If you’re looking for both a luxurious and exotic vegetarian vacation that also supports ecotourism in Fiji, look no further than Laucala Island Resort.

Laucala features a 240-acre hydroponic farm with 35 vegetable and 15 fruit varieties, plus a garden full of Fiji vanilla plants. The result is an on-site restaurant serving some of the freshest and most divine vegetarian meals imaginable.

The restaurant’s staff only cooks with what they have on hand, even foraging for mushrooms and the like in the nearby forests. Pescetarians can also enjoy locally sourced fish, but vegetarians and vegans still have plenty to choose from. I told you it was luxurious: rates for a villa begin at around $4600 per night.

Have you savored a memorable vegetarian travel experience?

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Want to pair adventure and luxury travel with delicious vegetarian meals? Check out these travel ideas for an amazing vegetarian vacation.

Jessie Festa

Jessica Festa is the editor of Epicure & Culture as well as Jessie on a Journey. She enjoys getting lost in new cities and having experiences you don’t read about in guidebooks. Some of her favorite travel experiences have been teaching English in Thailand, trekking her way through South America, backpacking Europe solo, road tripping through Australia, agritouring through Tuscany, and volunteering in Ghana.

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