At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.
Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.
BACKGROUND
Polish food is shaped by a cold-climate farming calendar, shifting borders and centuries of trade across Central and Eastern Europe, which leans towards hearty dishes that keep well. You’ll see plenty of rye and wheat breads, potatoes, cabbage (often fermented), beetroot and mushrooms, plus warming soups, dumplings and stews built for long winters and preserving. Classics such as pierogi and sour soups sit alongside meat and Polish sausage specialities, and the flavours tend to stay simple, savoury and comforting.
SPECIAL DIETS
Vegetarian
Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is aware in advance. There are plenty of appealing meat-free dishes to look forward to including pierogi ruskie (dumplings with potato and quark), pierogi with cabbage and mushrooms, placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes, sometimes served with sour cream), naleśniki (crêpes with sweet cheese or fruit), and vegetarian soups.
Vegan
Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance, but you should expect fewer options and variety that you may be used to, especially in the rural mountains areas where meals are traditionally built around meat and dairy. Vegan-friendly staples include kapusta z grochem (cabbage with split peas), fasolka po bretońsku made without sausage (bean stew), kasza (buckwheat/barley groats), sauerkraut-based sides and salads, and pickles or fermented vegetables. In both cases, it’s worth checking for lard, butter, egg, or meat stock - your guide can help confirm.
Kosher
Fully certified kosher options are limited in Poland and are mainly found in larger cities. On this trip, kosher-supervised kitchens and ingredients may not be available, so vegetarian or vegan meals can be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above, and plan ahead with your guide.
Halal
Fully certified halal options are mainly found in larger cities in Poland. On this trip, halal-certified kitchens, meat and supply chains are not available so vegetarian or vegan meals can be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above, and plan ahead with your guide.
INTOLERANCES
Gluten Free
Note: For Coeliac disease please see the allergies section below.
Gluten-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, options may be more limited compared to those without dietary requirements. While your local hosts will do their best, it’s worth knowing that gluten-free provision may vary as it can be difficult to source specialist products and some kitchens may be unable to guarantee no cross-contamination, especially in the rural Tatra area. Therefore, you may find meals more repetitive and more-often based on naturally gluten-free dishes rather than specialist substitutes. Please do consider bringing your favourite snacks or food supplements from home to ensure that you always have enough fuel for your adventure.
Lactose Free
Lactose-Free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Many traditional dishes are naturally lactose-free or can easily be prepared without dairy, such as vegetable dishes, pasta, rice and potato dishes, legumes, and salads.
ALLERGIES
Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy (including Coeliac disease), please get in touch with our CX team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.
*Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.
