Celiacs in Europe

Traveling the world with celiac disease can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this candid and insightful interview, Karina Montagni, marketing manager at Equal Eats, sits down with Catalin Varela, gluten-free travel consultant and Equal Eats social media manager, to talk all things gluten-free travel.

From expert tips and favorite gluten-free restaurant to must-pack items and personal experiences, Catalin shares her journey from diagnosis to becoming a pioneer in gluten-free travel. Whether you're newly diagnosed or a seasoned traveler looking for support, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical advice.

1. Can you share your personal story and what led you to where you are today?

After a year of debilitating illness, I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2016, and like many, I really struggled at first. Not just with the physical symptoms of the disease, but especially with the social implications. Food had always been my favorite way to connect with others, but it suddenly became anxiety-inducing, and I felt incredibly isolated.

Determined to regain my health and zest for life, I spent years healing my body. In 2018, I became a Certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Two years later, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Medical Anthropology. That journey included six months of solo travel through Europe, where I wrote my thesis on how different cultures approach gluten-free eating and how it affects quality of life for celiacs. That experience ultimately led me here, to Florence, Italy, which I’ve proudly called home for five years :)

 

2. What inspired you to become a gluten-free travel consultant, and what does your work typically involve?

My business started by accident. I moved to Italy during the pandemic and began teaching virtual gluten-free pasta classes on Zoom as a creative outlet. They were (surprisingly!) a hit and eventually, as travel resumed, people began asking for restaurant tips and travel advice. I realized I was in a unique position as a local celiac, fluent in Italian, and a native English speaker, and I just ran with it! Little did I know, it would soon become my full-time job, and I’d be recognized as the point of reference for gluten-free travel in Italy.

Today, I work with gluten-free travelers one-on-one through personalized video consultations. These are live calls where I answer pre-trip questions like, “How do I explain my needs in Italian?” or “Is this restaurant actually safe?” I provide tailored recommendations, help with reservations, share language and label-reading tips, and offer packing and safety advice. It’s practical support that helps people feel confident and prepared.

Beyond consults, I also run private gluten-free food tours in Florence and collaborate with AIC Toscana (the Tuscany branch of Italy’s celiac association) to make the region more accessible for international travelers.

What started as a personal project grew into something much bigger…and eventually led to the launch of Celiacs in Europe!

3. Congratulations on the launch of Celiacs in Europe! Can you tell us more about your business and how you help people travel?

Thank you! Celiacs in Europe is a team of local celiacs who help travelers safely and joyfully explore Europe. Each consultant lives in the country they represent, speaks fluent English and the local language, and follows a medically necessary gluten-free diet…so they really get it! We offer 1:1 video consultations tailored to your destination and travel style, giving you personalized tips, restaurant recommendations, grocery info, and more. Whether you’re going to Paris, London, Athens, or beyond, we help take the guesswork out of traveling gluten-free.

4. Which European destinations do you specialize in for gluten-free travel planning?

I personally handle all consultations for Italy. We also have consultants based in the UK, France, and Greece, with Spain, Portugal, and Germany coming soon.

Each consultant focuses solely on the country they live in. I’ve always believed that local celiacs are the best resource for up-to-date and trustworthy information!

5. What are some of the biggest challenges gluten-free travelers face, and how do you help them overcome those?

The biggest challenges are anxiety, language barriers, and unreliable information. People often worry: Will I be able to eat? What if I get sick? That fear can overshadow the excitement of a trip.

We help by providing practical tools like how to communicate your needs in the local language, what food labeling laws to know, where it’s truly safe to eat, etc. Clients often say they feel a weight lifted after we talk, and that’s exactly what we aim for!

6. What do you find most rewarding about helping gluten-free clients travel safely and confidently?

I love seeing people reclaim their freedom. Whether it’s someone taking their first trip since diagnosis or a seasoned traveler who just wants some extra peace of mind, it’s so rewarding to help people feel excited rather than anxious about traveling. I’ve had clients say things like, “I actually enjoyed food on this trip for the first time in years.” That’s everything to me.

7. What are three essential tips you always give to gluten-free travelers?

1. When in doubt, simplify 

The simpler the dish, the lower the risk. In places where communication feels tricky or you’re unsure about protocols, go for meals with fewer moving parts (like grilled meats, vegetables, or naturally gluten-free sides) instead of something like pizza to reduce the chance of cross-contact.

2. Use the term “celiac disease” in Italy 

Unlike in the US, where we often have to say “gluten allergy” to be understood, Italians are much more familiar with “celiac disease.” Using the correct term avoids confusion (and use an Equal Eats card to help you get your point across)!

3. Build your GF travel “core four”: phrases, snacks, safe spots, and backup plans.

Learn the key phrases in the local language, carry trusted snacks, map out a few reliable restaurant options in each area, and have a Plan B if your first choice doesn’t work out. Confidence comes from preparation, not perfection.

8. Can you share a memorable success story from one of your clients' trips?

Last summer I worked with a mother-son duo planning their gluten-free trip to Italy. She later left this review that meant the world to me:

"Catalin is a wealth of information for anyone with celiac disease who is traveling to Italy! She knows all the best restaurants (and the ones to avoid that you may have read about as safe!) She also offers great suggestions for areas to explore and museums to visit, as well as tips for off-the-beaten-path gems that don't have long lines. After speaking with Catalin, we feel so much more confident and comfortable about our upcoming trip and can't wait to safely explore Italy!”

- Adrienne

9. Which three things do you never leave home without when traveling gluten-free?

• Translation cards: Equal Eats are my go-to!

• Backup snacks: I’m loyal to Schär gluten-free pretzels and always pack squeezable applesauce for a quick blood sugar boost.

• An external phone battery: So much of celiac-safe travel relies on your phone…translation apps (I love the Equal Eats app), GPS, checking restaurant hours. Nothing squashes a gluten-free adventure like a dead phone.
  
  

  

  
  

10. What’s your favorite gluten-free restaurant in Florence and what should we order?!

Oof, tough one! But if I had to choose, it’s Osteria dello Sgrano. They’re a 100% gluten-free fresh pasta restaurant, and yes, they make everything in-house. Order the tortello mugellano (large ravioli-like pasta filled with mashed potato and served with a traditional ragu meat sauce) and thank me later!

11. How can people connect with you or book a consultation?

You can learn more and book a consultation with any of our travel consultants (myself included!) at  www.celiacsineurope.com and follow along on Instagram at @celiacsineurope and @celiacinitaly. We’d love to help you travel with confidence, and eat well while doing it!