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NEWSLETTER - CHRISTMAS 2008
Just back from...eating the first
ever gluten free meal served on
the new Qantas A380…more
That was the sound of my 2008 desk calendar frantically packing to go on a permanent holiday.
Which also means it’s my third anniversary as a coeliac. Thankfully, life is getting easier, and things are much clearer. Thanks to the wonderful Sue Shepherd I have a very good understanding of what I can and can’t eat, so with new products popping up on the supermarket shelves every week, exciting times (and excited tastebuds) are ahead!
A good thing too, as my desk calendar has cheekily reminded me that it’s less than 4 weeks until the annual Christmas gorging. You'll be delighted to know Safeway supermarkets are stocked with gluten-free hams, Sunnybrook’s are bursting at the seams with gluten-free Christmas puddings, and Gluten-Free Life can ship yummy mince pies, rum balls and more to your door.
Yes, the Christmas season is looking rather festalicious for us coeliacs!
As for gluten free travelling, Karsten, Sheridan and I are off in March for a holiday to Spain and Morocco. I’m already armed with my translation cards, while Karsten is under pressure to brush up on his Spanish as I still have memories of an infamous onion pizza with orange milk that he ordered in a Buenos Aires restaurant a few years ago.
And finally, congratulations to the Victorian Coeliac Society for their wonderful new Gluten Free Travel guide, which we were very proud to endorse.
From all of us at glutenfree travel, have a wonderful Christmas and a safe, blissful new year.
Happy travels,
Michelle Horne
Editor
the glutenfree traveller
The Journey The latest news on services for glutenfree travel clients
Irresistible Gluten Free Wheat Free Food Show
Another year gone by and another exciting, highly successful and even greater turn out at this year’s Gluten Free Food Show. Our team at glutenfree travel participated once again, meeting thousands of new people excited to learn and hear that we offer such a niche and experienced travel service. It was fantastic, a truly great opportunity to reunite with clients, hear about their most recent travel experiences and offer us such great feedback that we can now pass onto you…
Read on for some of our clients great travel tips!
Winner at Gluten Free Show This year we were proud to be involved with Gwinganna Resort to present a unique experience and prize pack for a lucky winner at the Gluten Free Show.
Anita Horvath from Port Melbourne won an amazing prize valued at $2400.
Her prize included return economy class airfares for 2 persons to Coolangatta, airport transfers, 2 nights accommodation at Gwinganna Resort, daily gourmet organic meals and a $200 spa credit.
Special end of year offer!
Book 3 nights at this 5 star lifestyle retreat and we will offer you FREE Travel Insurance and a Travelpac Gift Set. Offer valid for bookings made prior to 31 December 2008. Bring a friend and save 50%* on retreats up until to 13 Dec, 2008
* conditions apply
Team member of the season - Summer
Meet Karen Dalla Riva Karen joined Reho Travel in 2008 working in both Reho Study Tours and glutenfree travel. With over 15 years experience in the travel industry, she owned and operated a corporate travel business for 9 years.
After selling the business in 2006 Karen became creator and director of the Travelpac brand of stylish travel accessory products.
Let your experience add to ours
Congratulations to Lisa, Judy and Sharon who all win a Travelpac gift set for their fantastic feedback from recent holidays.
Gluten Free in the UK by Judy more
Free Camel Safari in the Outback by Lisa more
A difficult time eating in Singapore by Sharon more
Please send us feedback from your recent trip for your chance to win…
Travelpac promotion Travelpac is the must-have travel accessory! Travelpac premium products are the perfect accessory for the person who likes to have their own beauty products at hand wherever they go. These plastic travel-sized bottles and pouch are compliant with inflight regulations for carrying liquids onboard an aircraft. Carrying your own products has never been easier!!
Thanks to all entrants at the Gluten Free Food Show.
The winners of our Travelpac promotion are...Barbara Wand and Michelle Stute
glutenfree travelling tips Hints and ideas to help make your trip more comfortable
Travel tips brought to you by Gluten Free Travel Guide
Going overseas It's advisable to carry a letter from your doctor stating any medication you need to take, as well as your special dietary requirements. You may also want to contact customs in your destination country to enquire about restrictions with carrying food into their country. ie. Canned meat products, etc. Most countries have a customs website to advise of such regulations.
Flying and meals At the time of booking, Glutenfree Travel will notify your airline that you will require a gluten free/gluten intolerant meal and reconfirm for you at least 2 days prior to the flight. You should also reconfirm again at check-in. This will need to be done for each leg of your journey.
Pack gluten free biscuits or snacks in your hand luggage in case your gluten free meal doesn't appear, or there is a delay in your flight arrangements. If the bread roll or biscuits provided with your meal are not marked gluten free, it's best to avoid them.
Travel Insurance If applying for travel insurance, you will need to disclose your pre-existing medical condition of Coeliac Disease. This can be done using the self-assessment form on our website. You can purchase travel insurance directly on our website at a 15% discount. Click here for more details.
Medication Should you be on any medication, take enough for the trip – there may not be a gluten free equivalent in the country, or countries, you are visiting.
Be prepared like a boy scout! When packing for your trip, it's definitely worth including snap lock plastic bags and a medium sized airtight container. These are great for leftovers and keeping the contents of opened packets fresh. Sometimes a thermos is useful for mixing up gluten free soup sachets or softening rice noodles with boiling water.
Airline News - for glutenfree travellers Who's the real deal when it comes to your meal at 30,000ft?
Getting your gluten free meal on the plane is not as simple as it might seem. At glutenfree travel we will endeavour to tell you what you are really getting when your consultant keys GFML into your reservation!
Karsten eats the very first Gluten Free meal ever served on a Qantas A380 "Ahead of me the giant plane quietly reverses out of the gate, towering over a nearby 747 and seemingly running over the top of a mere 737 that is taxiing ahead. All around the tarmac workers stop and watch in awe, camera phones in hand, it is the first time they have seen the world's largest passenger aircraft."
Click here for Karsten's report on the A380 and verdict on the Gluten free meal.
Sleeping Beauties Hotels and resorts that really care about and know how to pamper glutenfree travellers
Gwinganna Resort, a lifestyle retreat... This stunning, innovative organic Lifestyle Retreat sits in a hidden region of the Tallebudgera Valley, just 30 minutes inland from the Gold Coast airport - but it feels a million miles away from the stresses of the world. Gwinganna is a special place that offers serenity, soul and a rare opportunity to explore nature and refocus. You'll dine on superb organic cuisine, an incredible selection of activities, nurturing massages, ocean and valley views and scenic walks in a completely casual and relaxed atmosphere. Pure inspiration. Click here for details
Bali Dynasty Resort The Bali Dynasty Resort is one of Bali's premiere resorts catering for couples and families. The unique layout allows for a subtle but effective division between the couples market and the family market. Couples can enjoy the famous Gracie Kelly's Irish Pub, relax at the adults only Lazy Pool or enjoy a treatment at the Spa Villa.
Bali Dynasty Resort has five bars and restaurants to suit all budgets with nightly entertainment. Kids can enjoy a 56m waterslide flowing into their own pool, complimentary entrance to an Enchanted Garden Kids Club with extensive activities. A wide variety of rooms catering to the family market are available sleeping up to five people.
Stamford Plaza - Melbourne
Ok, so this is a bit close to home, but we hear that The Stamford Plaza is starting to do some really good things for coeliacs. Last week a whole hamper of gluten free treats arrived in the office. Needless to say, only a couple of cookies made it home as the rest of the crew devoured the hand made cakes and chocolates created by the Stamford chefs. This year the hotel are doing a Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch. Let them know you are a coeliac and ask for extra chocolate cookies - they are to die for! Click here for details
Click here to see a selection of coeliac friendly hotels and resorts around the world.
Destination of the Month - Argentina
Introduction
Probably my favourite city in the world, Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital and largest city is the perfect place to begin a South American adventure. Lined with bustling cobbled stoned streets, packed with amazing architecture Buenos Aires has a passionate and intense culture largely based on its people, and a strong zest for life that extends through the cosmopolitan streets, the atmospheric cafes and its lively nightlife.
Argentina serves up a taste of everything, from the magnificent Iguazu Falls in the sub-tropical jungle, to Quechua Indian villages and colonial towns like Salta and San Juan. Travel up into the mountains across beautiful valleys and canyons, visit a wildlife lodge or indulge yourself with the elegance and charm of a stay on a traditional Argentine estancia. The breathtaking landscapes offer remarkable year-round opportunities to immerse in all of its splendours…
Things to see and do in Buenos Aires
Find your flare at a tango class or watch a tango show in one of the many cafes, wander around the grand facades of old European buildings. Tour the Barrios, the historical neighbourhoods each with its individual charm or marvel the icon of the city the famous glowing Obelisk.
Dining Out
Hotel and restaurant staff are very helpful. We recommend you take Spanish translation cards to assist in determining gluten free choices. In hotels, breakfast options are limited to fruit, juice and eggs. Steak and vegetable dishes are excellent!
Getting there with Qantas
New non-stop flights on Qantas mean South America is closer than ever. From 24 November, 2008, a non-stop service has been operating from Sydney to Buenos Aires making this the quickest way to travel from Australia to South America.
Choose from a range of hotels in the heart of Buenos Aires from just $158.00 per night or let us recommend some little known B&B’s in the trendy Palermo Viejo district.
There's so much to discover and Qantas can take you there with great fares on sale now…
Buenos Aires on Qantas Qantas has introduced direct services from Sydney to Buenos Aires from November. Special airfare offers are available. Contact us for details.
4 days Buenos Aires city break $785.00 per person, twin share
Price includes: 3 nights Wilton Hotel, breakfast daily, transfers and a Buenos Aires city tour.
Bali Dynasty Hotel - from $1649pp 7 nights $1425.00 per person, twin share
Inclusions: Economy class airfare ex Melbourne, 7 nights Superior Room accommodation, breakfast daily and airport transfers.
Vietnam Evason Ana Mandara Resort & Spa 6 nights $2725.00 per person, twin share
Inclusions: Economy class airfare ex Melbourne, 1 night Caravelle Hotel Saigon, 5 nights Evason Ana Mandara Resort in a Garden View Villa, breakfast daily and private car transfers throughout.
Fiji - Sofitel Resort & Spa 6 nights $1593.00 per person, twin share*
Inclusions: Economy class airfare ex Melbourne, 6 nights accommodation in a Resort View Room, buffet breakfast daily and private car airport transfers.
All specials above valid for travel to 31 March 09
*Fiji block-out period 25 Dec 2008 to 06 Jan 2009.
Prices per person twin share and do not include tax.
Tax varies daily due to currency fluctuations.
Bonus Offer when you book by 31 Dec
Receive a Travelpac and FREE travel insurance on your next trip. Simply book and pay deposit by 31 December 2008 to be eligible for this special offer.
Sue Shepherd B.App.Sci. is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietician. She has written three cookbooks for people with coeliac disease and irritable bowel syndrome and co-authored a reference book for dieticians on gastrointestinal nutrition.
In each edition we will bring you a delicious recipe from her range of cookbooks. For the summer issue its Sue's irresistable...
Pesto and Fetta Mushrooms 15 medium (300g) button mushrooms
1/3 cup gluten free prepared pesto
150g fetta cheese, cut into 1cm cubes
4 leaves fresh basil, chopped
Cooking instructions
1. Pre-heat oven to 180c.
2. Use a damp cloth to wipe clean the outer skin of each mushroom. Remove stem and place on greased baking tray.
3. Fill each mushroom with ½-1 teaspoon of prepared pesto, and top with the cube of fetta cheese.
4. Bake in pre-heated oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until fetta begins to turn golden brown.
5. Remove from oven, cover with aluminium foil for 2 minutes. Mushrooms will sweat and become soft.
6. Remove foil. Sprinkle chopped basil to garnish.
7. Serve warm. Makes 15.
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Whoosh!
Another year gone by and another exciting, highly successful and even greater turn out at this year’s Gluten Free Food Show. Our team at glutenfree travel participated once again, meeting thousands of new people excited to learn and hear that we offer such a niche and experienced travel service. It was fantastic, a truly great opportunity to reunite with clients, hear about their most recent travel experiences and offer us such great feedback that we can now pass onto you… 
Winner at Gluten Free Show
Meet Karen Dalla Riva
Congratulations to Lisa, Judy and Sharon who all win a Travelpac gift set for their fantastic feedback from recent holidays. 
Gwinganna Resort, a lifestyle retreat...
Bali Dynasty Resort
Stamford Plaza - Melbourne
Introduction 
Choose from a range of hotels in the heart of Buenos Aires from just $158.00 per night or let us recommend some little known B&B’s in the trendy Palermo Viejo district.
15 medium (300g) button mushrooms