Calling All Veggies
Did you know approximately 10% of the world's population is vegetarian? On 1st October, the world celebrates the benefits of being a vegetarian marking the start of Vegetarian Awareness Month.
Food is such an intrinsic part of your holiday experience. It can teach you more about the local culture through the local, seasonal produce and tantalising flavour palettes - and it keeps you energised as you adventure through an as-yet-unknown destination.
Meatless diets get a bad rep as bland or boring but there's nothing quite like the crisp snap of a carrot stick or the mouth-watering flavour of a meatless curry. With more people than ever embracing vegetarianism - from the veg-aficionados who have cut out meat altogether to the veggie-curious dabbling with meatless Monday - it's nice to have options. And options are exactly what you get on our river cruises - you never have to worry about going hungry.
We've refreshed our on-board dining options to include plenty of flexibility according to your requirements - and our experienced chefs will always do their utmost to cater for any special dietary requirements. With an extensive breakfast buffet - over 60 delicious options and eggs made your way to order - finding something to eat is a cinch. At lunchtime, there a choice of main courses available - including at least one vegetarian dish – and you can also create your own salad from the buffet or try a dish from the pasta station.
We're in no doubt that a highlight of each day will be the 4 course a la carte dinner served in the ship's elegant restaurant. Our chefs prepare imaginative menus, inspired by the flavours and traditions of the places we explore -and the ship's sommelier will be able to guide you to a vegetarian wine option. (And don't forget we're including a free Superior drinks package worth £400pp, per week on all European river cruises so you can try as many as you like)
Our free Superior drinks package
Enjoy a glass (or three) of wine or beer over lunch and sip pre- and post-dinner drinks and cocktails on us on your next river cruise. It's the perfect excuse to savour the views along the riverbank and toast your holiday with like-minded explorers.
On our tours, dining can be much less structured. Breakfast is included on many tours - along with some lunches and dinners, where vegetarian options are usually available. However, tours also offer you the opportunity to explore the gastronomic landscape of your destination - eggplant parmigiana in Parma, spinatknödel in Tyrol, ratatouille in Nice - what could be better than tasting a dish in the heart of its homeland? Most restaurants include a vegetarian option and your Tour Manager is on hand to help you find the hole-in-the-wall restaurants the locals love - nothing could be more authentic.
And, of course, many countries are very vegetarian-friendly.
India
Many studies suggest that over 25% of the population in India follows of vegetarian diet with 81% restricting their consumption of meat. No matter where you are in India, you're never far from a fragrant plate of vegetable biryani - the gateway dish to a world of chana masala, dum aloo and rajma - all best enjoyed with roti to dip in and soak up that delicious sauce.
Germany
Germany may be known for its love of meat but they're no stranger to meat substitutes - their meat substitute production increased by over 60% between 2019 and 2021 and that's only set to rise! Companies have released more vegan products into the German market than any other country in the world - so there'll be plenty of choice come dinner time. Just remember the phrase 'Ist es vegatarisch/vegan?' (is it vegetarian/ vegan?)
We recommend käsespätzle - the German version of mac and cheese - or obatzter - a favourite in Bavaria - the mixture of spreadable soft cheese, butter and spices has even been grated PGI (protected geographical indication).
Australia
In Australia, 12% of the population are vegetarians with around 500,000 going fully plant-based and embracing veganism. Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and Sydney boast the greatest number of vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants, pulling inspiration from all over the world - whatever you fancy, you're sure to find something to satisfy your tastebuds.
View our holidays to Australia
Top tip: After you book your holiday, speak to a friendly member of our team and let them know if you have any dietary requirements so our chefs on board our river cruise ships - and in our hotels - can ensure you are accommodated well, before you travel.
Our team are always happy to accommodate your preferences, so don’t let your diet stop you from traveling – find your next adventure.
