Airbnbs or other vacation rentals are ideal for gluten-free travel, because they often have kitchens or kitchenettes. Even if you don’t have Celiac Disease, gluten sensitivity, or other dietary restrictions, having a kitchen (or at least a minifridge and a microwave) can be nice so that you don’t have to eat every single meal out if you don’t want to.
If you’re traveling gluten-free, you can’t just roll up and assume that the vacation rental kitchen is totally safe to use. Packing these simple items can protect you from cross-contamination (and other general vacation rental nastiness).
Toaster Bags
Shared toasters generally aren’t safe for Celiacs to use, as they can trap gluteny crumbs from previous users. These awesome toaster bags are easy to pack and protect whatever you’re making (including bagels, toast, english muffins, etc.) from gluten. Bonus: These toaster bags are great for making mess-free grilled cheeses in the toaster!
Emergency Gluten Free Snacks
Even the best laid gluten-free restaurant plans can always go awry. Be prepared by packing emergency snacks (and maybe even a meal or two) that you can rely on in case you can’t find anything Celiac-safe to eat. I always pack simple breakfast items (like Greek yogurt, a quick bread, or gluten-free oatmeal), almonds, gluten-free trail mix, and snack bars that I can easily carry with me during the day.
Sanitizing Wipes
In addition to wiping down the high-touch areas of your vacation rental (like light switches, doorknobs, and remotes) to get rid of germs, you’ll also want to give the kitchen a quick wipe down with sanitizing wipes to eliminate any lurking gluten crumbs that could make you sick.
Storage Bags
Lots of times I’m in a vacation rental because I’m taking an active trip and will be spending the day skiing or hiking. Packing my own storage bags lets me transport gluten-free sandwiches or snacks with me. (These reusable ziploc bags by Stasher are microwave and oven-safe, to offer an extra layer of protection when cooking.)
Paper Towels
Never rely on a vacation rental to be stocked with the essentials! Paper towels not only function as towels, but pull double-duty as makeshift plates, napkins, or tissues.
Sponge and Dish Soap
You’re not always guaranteed to have a clean, unused sponge in a vacation rental kitchen. Pack your own sponge and dish soap and always be sure to wash any provided dishes before you use them, as you don’t know how thoroughly they were cleaned in between guests.
Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil can act as a barrier against any lingering gluten if you’re cooking on baking sheets or in the oven, plus using it as sheet liner means one less dish you have to wash.
Larq Water Bottle
Like I said before, never trust the cleanliness of a vacation rental’s dishes or glasses. I always pack a Larq Water Bottle to drink out of, because it’s self-cleaning, thanks to a built-in UV light. So not only do I always have something clean to drink out of, but it also sanitizes the water inside the bottle, which is perfect for places where the water might not be safe to drink otherwise.
