BEAUTIFUL ITALY - GLUTEN FREE AND LACTOSE FREE AND FRUCTOSE FRIENDLY

PACK YOUR BAGS – ALLERGY FRIENDLY ITALY
Gluten free, lactose free and fructose friendly

Italy, land of pizza and pasta.
How well can Italy accommodate gluten free and in our case lactose free and fructose friendly?

Turns out - excellent. One of the best countries we have visited.

Quick facts: Italy has the highest recorded number of coeliacs in the world. Testing is compulsory for every child under the age of six. This in itself poses a very large question – why? 

By law there must be access to gluten free food. 
Italy has a well established Coeliac Society with a nationally recognised food label symbol. For restaurants to display the symbol they must be trained and are checked and retested to retain creditation. Food subsidy money is given to diagnosed coeliacs to assist with food costs. 

Your new catch phrase is “SENZA GLUTINE” means without gluten.

Now you all know, I research my holidays to the enth degree and this time husband did most of the great work. We are going to share our secrets to a great stressfree holiday in Italy with allergies and kids. 

Best weather to visit – June to July. Hot and dry.

BEFORE YOU GO: ALLERGY CARD

Use some of the cheap online printing websites to print up some allergy cards - these were fabulous. Cost us $6 with postage for 50 cards. We use Vistaprint. Simply use google translate to change your words to Italian and have them printed. We wrote on the card to have card passed to chef and server outlining what caused her problems and asked them to also check sauces and products that may contain allergens.

You must however, print on the back what you can eat.

Once they see the front of the card with all the NO foods - the eyes start to glaze over and the wall of unhelpfulness comes up - but once they turn the card over - it gives them options to tailor make a meal for you and it becomes no trouble for them to assist.

Front: 

Back: 

FLIGHTS:

Even though you email the airlines multiple times, they still somehow seem to get it wrong. The communication just doesn't flow down effectively. 
Or another problem is often the gluten free meals are difficult for children to eat. Not the most apealling to young children. Fish and peas. There is no treat like the regular customers get – just a few bland rice cakes. Imagination in the culinary department is lacking. Make sure you take your own reserves of food. We took a backpack full of bread, biscuits, fruit (must be eaten on plane and not taken off).
They will not cater for multiple allergies. My child is also lactose free but with a gluten free meal you get yoghurt!

Take enough supplies for at least two days. Especially with children.
The last thing you want to do after a long haul flight is hunt for food for the kids.

Although you can get to Rome via Dubai – we chose to go via Singapore. Breaking the trip into two manageable parts. One six hour flight from Australia - an overnight break and then a 12 hour flight to Rome.

Hot Tip: Singapore airlines fly into Terminal two – a free skytrain will take you on a three minute ride to terminal three – the location of the Crown Plaza.

Book a room at the Crown Plaza Hotel - Changi Airport in Terminal Three at the airport. We had a nine hour delay and it was so worth it to have a shower, relax, eat, swim, rest and just walk downstairs to the terminal. No transport reqd. We checked our luggage all the way through to Rome, so just pack your swimmers in the carry on luggage. You don't need to leave the airport as the hotel is accessed via the terminal. This is great for the kids, try amusing them in the airport lounges for that long. Also makes them better equipped to handle the longest journey 12 hours to Rome. Pool is fantastic. Cannot say the same about the ability to get gluten free food.

The only disappointment with Crown Plaza was there is no provision for catering for allergies. We requested just a plain grilled chicken breast – but no can do? Why I don't know?

Children are not catered for adequately – unless you have better luck than I do forcing them to eat salad. 
Upon saying that, the hotel surroundings are great, luxurious and relaxing. 

Here is a link to check it out: http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/singapore/sincp/hoteldetail

   

ARRIVAL IN ROME: 

Make sure it is in the morning. 
The roads south are narrow and curvy. Quite dangerous after a night flight of twelve hours and fatigue.

HERTZ HIRE CAR:

The pick up for Hertz is clearly marked after you claim your luggage - visit the desk and then they send you to Carpark C level 4 to pick up the vehicle.

If you are driving south from Rome - it is extremely important you choose a small car. The roads a narrow, very curvy and they drive like maniacs. I friend warned us to bend our side mirrors in and now I know why - they are the first to go.

You are given the option to pay $136 euro for comprehensive insurance as if the car is returned scratched - you are up for $1000 euro straight up. Husband decided to take the fully comprehensive insurance and upon return we are sooooo glad we did. You return the vehicles to Level 5 of Carpark C at Rome airport and most had damage to front ends, mirrors off, scratches, dents and many tourists standing around scratching their heads when payment was due for damage.

We collected a Hyundai I30 complete with sat nav from Hertz. 

Before you leave make sure the sat nav or GPS works - we were given the wrong cords and had to go back to reception.

Be mindful, we found that rental companies may not supply up to date downloaded maps on the GPS.

Cruising along the highway (autostrada) was great, however the sat nav tells you to turn off the main highway into village roads. 

Husband had a bad feeling about following the GPS and it did lead us astray - make sure you print out google maps and follow autostrada.

 It was a two hour harrowing, nervous drive to Sorrento a seaside tourist destination. 

Quite dangerous after a night flight of twelve hours to navigate on the wrong side of the road and the italians like to drive fast and aggressively. Driving around the side of sheer cliffs is not an easy task when very fatigued. I highly suggest you get a transfer to the hotel. My husband had such a headache from the tension, not to mention the children were nearly physically sick.

Hot Tip: Get a transfer by driver or catch train to Sorrento

WELCOME TO THE BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE TOWN OF SORRENTO

One word sums up Sorrento - beautiful.

ACCOMODATION : Hotel La Badia:

Excellent family operated hotel on the hill. If you see the movies and brochures and want the authenic italian experience of staying in a beautiful converted monastery on the side of a big hill with an olive grove and fruit trees - this is the place for you. 

Dining every night on the deck perched high on the hill overlooking the majestic cliffs and bay - is glorious.

La Badia has parking for the hire car, whereas many hotels on the hills do not. Also they have a fantastic short cut path into town. Very safe for walking with the family. However, be warned coming home is steep uphill climb around 150 metres.

If you are not moderately fit, or elderley, you may struggle. But it is your holiday – take your time and enjoy the views on the way up. The pool is great after the climb home, after a big day shopping in the classic laneways.

We found reviews on the internet of the ability to cater for coeliac guests. The staff are fantastic. English speaking. I had emailed my childs multiple allergies before our arrival. As breakfasts were included, we had our choice of many types of gluten friendly products. We could have Dr Shlar bread, rolls, cakes, biscuits, fruit, hard boiled eggs, ham. 

While the wheat lover in the family loved the spread of crossiants, cakes, rolls, cereals, bread, meats, we were even treated to hand squeezed orange juice with fruit from the garden. 
Their attention to the details was outstanding. 

They kept the allergy card I gave them that outlined the foods she could eat and the ones that made her sick. This minor detail is the most important facet to your enjoyment of your holiday. 

We all want to relax and enjoy ourselves. Not having to look for food three meals a day for the family makes a massive difference.  Just to have that one job taken from your shoulders for the duration of your holiday is a bonus in itself. People without allergies go on holidays and enjoy what ever food they like, until you are put into the situation where you are restricted to choices, being able to enjoy a good meal you haven't prepared yourself is great. 

Having both allergy sufferer and other family members happy and with contented tummies is a godsend.

They have a great system of ordering your dinner at breakfast. We could make suggestions for our allergy child and myself and they were happy to oblige. My child has never eaten so well anywhere. Her favourite was the zucchini bruscetta.

Read how everyone else rates them excellent on tripadvisor:

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g187782-d559636-Reviews-Hotel_La_Badia-Sorrento_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

SORRENTO TOWN CENTRE

Fantastic sea views and great narrow shopping laneways. 

In one laneway we found a gelataria founded in 1860. They make everything on site and get ready for the best part. 

The sign outside says – NO PROCESSED SUGAR, GLUTEN FREE – SENZA GLUTINE, NO LACTOSE – SENZA LACTOSSA. 

This my friends, is amazing. Waffle cones – gluten free filled with two flavours of fruit gelato and even dark chocolate. Yes – still without the dairy! The taste was amazing. We made a rule to get one everyday.

Another gelataria not far from the hotel is Bougenvillea with gluten free cones and gelato.

GF restaurants in main street – Cafe Latino – special gluten free menu, Bougenvillea has gf iceceam, but one in arcade much better. English and Irish pub serving traditional fare and the Kiosk for quick hot chips or snacks. The beauty of Sorrento is the menus are on show outside the restuarant and clearly indicate Gluten free or Senza Glutine.

With the assistance of reviews on tripadvisor, My husband did a great map of gluten free restaurants. We visited Villa Rubinacci and were not disappointed. The restaurant is located within the grounds of Hotel Eden. They had a full gluten free menu with many choices – lasagna, pizzas, pasta and meat dishes as well as desserts! Prices were excellent – 8 euro for my plate of handmade gnocchi. It was the best meal I have ever had. Child had pizza – no sauce (as garlic and onion – no good for fructose), ham and pineapple. Great.

They even have gluten free beer!

All items gluten free on menu - what choice

Walking the streets, mostly all signs are in english and say Gluten free from chocolate shops to gelatarias.

Gluten free supplies can be found in farmacias and supermarkets. Farmicas are chemists all have a neon flashing green cross outside and have the gluten free items in one section together. Best farmacia is Alfani Farmacia (8 mins from hotel) on main road into town.However in a supermarket the stock is mixed in with the general supplies. It is up to you to look for the  recognised coeliac symbol. A red picture of wheat with a cross through it.

These stores are plentiful and easy to find on the main streets. Also there are many fruit stalls for fresh supplies.

Supplies in farmacia:

MAPS OF GLUTEN FREE RESTAURANTS IN SORRENTO

Only public toilets are in Tasso square – 50 euro each person.

Only ATM is in square opposite train station. End of Corso.

CHEAP DAY OUT - POMPEII

Walk from the hotel down the main street Italia Corso around 1km to the train station. Tickets are $2.20 euros each way – buy a return ticket. The trains are very safe as tourists are everywhere.

Sorrento station is the start of the train line so seats are easy to find on the train.

It takes around 12 stations and about 25 mins to reach Pompeii Scavi station.

The gates to Pompeii are right opposite train station. 

Tickets are $11 euro per adult and $3 euro for children up to 12 years.

You must pack gluten free supplies for the day as there is nothing available allergy friendly in Pompeii. 
Plenty of stalls for wheat pizza etc.

Pompeii is not very pram friendly but you can manage.

 FANTASTIC DAY TRIP TO AMALFI COAST - HIGHLIGHT

Hot Tip: Hire a driver - Sorrento Limousine Service 

Don't take the bus. 

Many tourists we spoke to endure motion sickness on the large buses.

Found a gem of a tour on tripadvisor with Sorrento Limousine Service and our guide, and new best friend - Tony.

We all love the iconic images of the towns built on the sides of the cliffs on the Amalfi coast.

If you think you can drive the Amalfi coast by yourself in a hire car – make sure you leave your last will and favourite possessions with your nearest and dearest before you go, you may not make it back!

Unless you are native to Italy and have previous experience in driving along the coast – do not even attempt it. 

The roads are very narrow – in some places only one car wide. 

On this road – only the strongest will survive. 

If you want to appreciate the beautiful scenery and arrive at your destination safely and relaxed – definitely book a driver. 

Tony was absolutely fantastic, he is an english speaking guide, has great local knowledge and an extremely safe and steady driver.

Collected on time in a beautiful Mercedes Benz van able to comfortably seat up to 7 people.

Starting at 9 am we visited picture postcard perfect POSITANO. 

With plenty of time to shop and enjoy some local fare then continued uphill to a lovely hilltop town of RAVELLO. 

There is one single lane road up and the same road to come down.

Ravello is famous for classical music and concerts. It would be fabulous to stay overnight for a concert. Below, you will see a picture of the stage perched on the edge of the cliff where the orchestra plays while you sit and admire the view behind them.

Concerts run for a few months every year. It would truly be an event. 

Tony directed us to a fantastic restaurant for lunch. 

Able to cater for allergies.

The restaurant has been reviewed and revered by many famous foodies. It was like stepping into Nona's kitchen. Greeted by the chef, a lovely italian woman called Netta. All she wanted was for you to be happy and contented with her delightful food. 

We presented her with our multiple allergy card, which would have even made the best cook a little flustered. Netta did not find it a problem at all – providing the child with may gluten free, fructose friendly options and a smile. Her desire to see us enjoy ourselves in her establishment was certainly a welcome sight in comparison to other establishments who resign themselves to accomodating our needs all too hard and it is easier to turn us away. 

We enjoyed some fresh tomato sauce with gf spaghetti, antipasto plate and some potatoes. One thing italians know how to do is make simple ingredients fabulous. Netta knew all about what was required in the kitchen for a coeliac sufferer.

The allergy card is a must – you need to give the server and the cook all the information they need to be able to help you find a dish to suit. With our tummies full, we set off for the town of AMALFI. 

Leaving the town till last meant that the majority of the large buses had left. Time to enjoy the shopping and gelato (gluten free).

Weaving our way home we enjoyed a chorus or two of the classic Italian tune - Amore. 

Luckily the day we booked there was no cruise ships in port which increases the traffic considerably. Wednesday was a good day to book a trip and hopefully avoid the traffic holdups along the Amalfi coast road. I could see how a trip could take a very long time if the traffic is bad.

I have had people who commented they were motion sick due to the very windy roads on the large tour buses. This road is a nightmare for tour buses, the smaller the vehicle the better the ride. The benefit of personalised service is that you are dropped right in the action and then it is easy to leave as you are not waiting for others to get on a bus. We have spoken with fellow travellers and all have said they endure motion sickness on the buses on Amalfi coast. The roads are not bus friendly. The hair pin turns, narrow windy roads are not navigated easily by bus. 

Finally we say our goodbyes at 4pm – with a gift from Tony a bottle of local Lemonchello. A lovely touch for us to return home and open to savour the moment we enjoyed the sights of the mighty coastline with Tony.

I highly recommend Tony and his tour, it is money well spent and the highlight of our holiday.

Here is what others say on tripadvisor - excellent ratings constantly:
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g187782-d1904926-Reviews-Sorrento_Limousine_Service_Private_Tours-Sorrento_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

Great day trip to the ISLE OF CAPRI

How to get there:

Walk down the main street to the Tasso – you will see a sign that says “PORTO” take the stairs down and you will come to the dock where the jet boats leave for Isle of Capri. 

These are the stairs!

Cost for three return was $100 euros. Go every hour or so. Get to Capri in 20 mins. Look around the port and then take the fenicular up the mountain for $2.20 ea way to town of Capri only takes 5 mins. The tickets are across the street from where you get on - not at the staion itself. 

We were warned on Capri – gluten free is nearly impossible. 

And it is true - so take supplies. 

At the end of the day, of course after we had eaten, we found a restaurant just to the right of the fenicular station – Ibonis – has gf on menu.

Take your own food – or you can have a small cake called a caprese. Made on almond meal.

Capri is great for spotting celebrities - even if it only in photos on the outside of restaurants. Be warned everything is expensive.

Pay $1.60 euro to catch the bus  (3kms) up to ANA CAPRI – less expensive. 

Capri is very expensive – all the big names – Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Armani etc. Nice to dream for a while and pretend.

Coming home – ask all the boats which is the one back to Sorrento. We checked the board and waited at the dock only to find out it left from another dock. So then we waited for the next  boat and even checked with the ticket office – and still the boat left from another dock. Trick is ask, ask, ask the  boat owners. 

Other reviews on the internet say that sometimes the afternoon return trip can be rough – we took the 3.15pm and it was fine. 

But depends on weather I guess.

ROME:

Return the hire car back to Rome airport:

Don't trust sat nav – must be loaded before road changed. 

Follow freeway to Fumicino Airport - sat nav begs to differ.

Make sure you have about 15 euro for tolls. 

Airport drop off car at Hertz will call you taxi. 

$60 to Hotel Napolean. Close eyes as they drive at 130 km hour.

Hotel Napoleon – nice rooms – comfy beds. Super small elevator. This hotel is not wheelchair friendly as lift is one thin person wide! Downtown Rome – on outskirts but close to action without price tag. Highly recommend for standard for accomodation and location, just a poor rating for gluten free or allergy food assistance.

Breakfast was American – bacon, eggs, crossiants, pastries, gluten free just biscuits and rice crackers and cake, however one morning there was some gf cornflakes. No orange juice, apple juice and grapefruit. Server knew nothing about senza glutine.

Farmacia next door – had great range. Took our own pasta to restaurant around corner and cooked for us. 

We found this hotel on the internet as it said it could do gluten free but the Chef had a broken hand so no evening meals. Very strange for a large hotel not to have a contingency plan - leaving all guests with no restuarant meals - just easy reheat meals in the bar?

Our trick was to have big breakfast at the hotel – do the walking and have a large lunch around 3pm. This would double as dinner. Allowing us to relax and unwind upon return to the hotel and put our feet up.

Link: http://www.napoleon.it/?gclid=CPqT-OH9wbgCFcZepgodHQ8AKQ

Day one: Walk around Colosseum and Circus Maximus, Mouth of Truth, then to Piazza de Fiori – try Di Vogli for lunch – extensive menu great value $31 euro for 3 large pizzas and drinks – too full for dessert – tiramisu – aic (italian ceoliac society)approved and great menu. and had Flor gelato, then Piaaza Navona and then Pathenon and then home. Took seven hours.

Restaurant:  DI VOGLI:

Flor is great for allergies: here is the list of icecream and what is in them.

They changed utentils, washed their hands and used new icecream barrels for order for gluten free as well as gluten free cones.

 If you have children under ten or who complain about walking – take a hop on hop off double decker bus tour.

Vittorio Emanule station is at the doorstep of our Hotel Napoleon. With the Roma Pass you can use all trains and buses for three days all inclusive. Buy from Conceirge at hotel. You can catch it to the Spanish Steps  (4 stations) and then explore the park. 

Had lunch at Alex Cafe – near spanish steps – gluten free – expensive as I had steak and potato, spag with tomato sauce, wheat pasta for partner, 3 x dessert and two glasses of wine, 2 coffee latte for $97 euro. Nice but nothing to write home about. 

Rome is great for the lovers of all things old and ancient – but one monument and church blends into the other for some of us. 

Holding the attention of children is often quite exhausting – are we done yet?

Great shopping at shops outside hotel – fashion for all the family at great prices – also few markets outside the hotel. Be sure to haggle. Great location as it is easy to walk and trains. 

In eight hours of walking – I saw only one restaurant near the Trevi fountain that said gf. 

Very hard to find gf meals in Rome.

Personally I would save Rome until the last night and just take a tour bus around unless you are the hard core exploring type. It was lucky my husband was part bloodhound and could follow the map of the many streets easily. If you struggle to read the refidex to your partner – don't bother – the trip will just take twice AS LONG.

There are two types of people – those who look forward and enjoy all things new and different  and those who enjoy the romance of all things past. Unfortunately I am the former. Whilst I like to sit back and look at the ruins for hours from a shady spot, I am not one for walking the entire length of each location from start to finish. Many may enjoy this. Walking each day around 6 to 7 hours.

Map of gluten free restaurants in Rome:

Day Two: Vatican City – catch the train downstairs a few stations to Ottavino and you are near at St Peters Square.As soon as you get up the stairs, there is a cheap shoe store ladies. Pairs around $25 euro. Queues to get into the Basilicia are really really long – walk down ro Castel de angelo – lots of markets about – got a prada bag for $12 euro.

Had lunch at La Soffiateia – waiter boasted they were number one in italy for gluten free. We will see after the meal?

He was absolutely right – number one and well deserved. 

So sad we found this place on the last day – could have eaten there all week. Great in house desserts – we had choc and orange cake – lovely mix of choc mousse and custard and cake, could also have strawberry and pineapple cake or crème caramel. and we had the best carbonara, I have ever tasted. $72 euro for 3 drinks, water, pizza, carbonara, spag with tom sauce and roast chicken. Restaurant full of gluten free aussies, americans and canadians as well as some british thrown in. 

You can tell the power of the internet to spread the gluten free word. Everyone there had obviously done their research. 

Full menu can be done gluten free.

When Italy makes gluten free meals they mark the meal with a toothpick or a flag on a toothpick.

Getting home : Trains very full – standing room only but not far to go each station. Best shopping is in the Vatican area. 

We now leave Rome to discover the Tuscan hills. We take the taxi from Hotel Napoleon back to the airport to pick up another hire car (cheaper than keeping it the whole holiday).

Taxi – Official taxi are white with taxi on top and sticker on the side – guaranteed fare of $49 euro to get to airport. 

If you don't chose offical taxi you can pay up to 60 euro like us. The offical taxi was actually the better driver. The unofficial would talk on mobile while going 130km!

Do not have a car in rome – no where to park and don't need it at all.

Picked up new hire car from Hertz – make sure your sat nav works, make sure you work out all the gadgets and make sure you take out comprehensive insurance incase of damage.

Goodbye Rome and off to Tuscan hills of SIENA

You have seen the movie under the Tuscan sky and just want to sip the wine while looking at the vines upon which they were grown.

This is the place for you.

SIENA: FANTASTIC VILLA CAMBI 

(Self Catering Tuscan villa)

Easy drive to Siena – straight on freeway (autostrada).

Arrive Villa Cambi – beautiful perched on top of hill in vineyard. 

The main B&B house was built in late 1800's. 

They also have three villas built on the grounds - we choose the converted stable.

Link: http://www.villacambi.com/

If you want the authentic tuscan villa experience – this is it. 

Brick floors – country kitchen – no oven just stove top. 

Two rooms both with queen beds. Suit family of four. 

Only critism not enough chairs for everyone to relax in in portico.

Might suggest buying an outdoor portable BBQ from Austogrill around 25 euro as the one at Villa Cambi doesn't look like it has been cleaned in 20 years. 

Lovely spot on your portico to put a small portable one. 

No jugs or kettle or toaster – so we going to buy cheap ones and leave behind for the next lucky visitor. Nice and clean. 

Very quiet area and uninterrupted views.

Beautiful doors and windows that open out to let the lovely country air in. Quite cool at night but hot in the day. We came in late June early July. Pool is lovely and clean but water cold. 

At Villa Cambi you do need car to get into town about 4 km away.

Day in Siena – you want to get supplies. 

The best and cheapest is at the COOP on Mario Bracci not far from villa but need gps and car. 

Was in heaven – whole wall of senza glutine. Also in cake section we bought a disney gf cake and had ready to eat poffiteroles – delicious. Well signed. Even in frozen section everything in one area marked senza glutine – frozen crossiants, lasagna, cannalloni, pizzas, desserts, pasta ready to eat meals. 

The only hiccup is that your villa does not have an oven – however at the supermarket when you go up the escalators they sell a portable oven for 39 euros. Might be worth it? 

The COOP was a foodie heaven – everything and anything – seafood, meat, cheese, breads. Something for everyone. 

Parking is under the building. 

Strange quirk with fruit and vege – you put on plastic glove and get your fruit and then you have to bag and weigh it – remember the number on the name of the fruit and punch into the scale and it spits out a barcode. 

We had to get a local to help us – they had a good laugh.

Go to town – only residents cars are allowed inside the city walls – everyone else has to park and take possibly the longest escalator in the world, around 500m – best parking is closest to the train station. The other car park down the road is just about always full. 

Pay around $1.70 euro an hour but after 12 noon free.

Siena has good shopping but expensive. Narrow streets. Great place for lunch – La Taverna – on Guippses Dupre – lots of awards on door. Service is great and they will put anything you want with your gf pasta. Lovely hot gf bread – two serves. Child and I had pasta and hubby had beef stew with potatoes – lovely glass of wine and child a softdrink. Bill $52 euro  - great meal. 

I would rate La Soffertia first then La Taverna and then La Vogli for best food experience. Kitchen closes at 2.30pm. 

Small place so get there early or late. To get there – walk to square and take the road off the square marked Giovanni dupre and walk to the very end at the arch (warning it is uphill) well worth it.

Cooking class at Il Vaccario - fantastic for the foodie. I loved it.

Hard to find so use co -ordinates in sat nav. 

Don't be late like we were although we were lost. 

Sat Nav Co-ordinates:

N 43 29.886

E 11 02.497

B&B full of aussies and new zealanders. Bit far from anything for my liking but close to San Gimingano for accomodation. 

Katia our cook was fabulous – her husband is gf and dairy intolerant as well as apples, pears etc. 

Food was amazing and made our own rice pasta. 

You all put on the aprons and cook together and then enjoy the fruits of your labour and some great conversation and laughs.

We made two sauces, brushetta and lemon chicken with wine and coffee. 

Fantastic day would take around 3 to four hours. $60 euro each and worth every penny. 

Very good cook and interested in no sugar and healthy quality ingredients.

 Great for kids – had my child eating zucchini and tomato and beans. 

Checked all ingredients for our allergies and tailor made the menu.

 Link: http://www.ilvicario.it/

Read what others think on tripadvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187901-d580621-r144793037-Il_Vicario-San_Gimignano_Tuscany.html

Goodbye beautiful Siena and back to Rome for Singapore.

Return the hire car to Rome airport and ensure you have money for tolls around $13 euros – go into bigaletto lane (means ticket) use sat nav to fumicino airport – follow signs to terminal 2 and three, return car to Hertz on level five of car park C. 

Many of the large roadside autogrills have gluten free supplies – bigger the store – more stock.

Stop at Hilton Rome before flight to Singapore – excellent value on flash sale $200 including breakfast for 3. 

An idea for next time maybe - could stay here after flight into Rome and catch train to Sorrento? 

The hotel is opposite airport and great spot for weary travellers.

Server in cafe was gluten free. Food was amazing – hamburgers gf pasta, salads, fries, great facilities indoor pool.

Link: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/italy/hilton-rome-airport-hotel-ROMAPTW/index.html

SINGAPORE - HOLIDAY INN:

After a 13 hour flight from Rome to Singapore – break up the flight by staying 2 days. Especially for children. 

$22 euro from airport in cab to Holiday Inn – Orchid Road city centre – Cavanagh Road.

Link: https://www.google.com.au/maps/preview/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x31da199691943d5d:0x3451f0d232a29fd8!2m5!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i100!3m1!7e1&fbu=https%253A%252F%252Fplus.google.com%252F105016779495472278497%252Fphotos%253Fhl%253Den%2526socfid%253Dweb%253Alu%253Akp%253Aplacepageimage%2526socpid%253D1&q=holiday+inn+singapore+orchard+city+centre

 Heart of everything. There is a door at the back of the bar – cross the road and you are in famous shopping  area - Orchard Road. Holiday Inn is by far the best accomodation on the trip, however they were all different and unique in their own way and enjoyed every one.

Pool on the roof great for kids with special separate small children pool. Spas, gym. Open till 11pm. Pool great temperature for night swim. 

Breakfast – good for wheat lovers – critism – chef did not come and see me and when asked didn't really understand when asked about gluten. Just given frozen gluten free bread but had many vege options like fried rice, bacon, staff did not know about cross contamination. 

Best dinner was in arcade of restaurannts directly behind the hotel – Cuppage Mall called Cross Strait Restaurant – Chinese cuisine. Owner was lovely and would cook it anyway we wanted – less any bad ingredients. Spoke great english.

We had fried rice and some stirfry dishes.

Singapore is not the easiest place to find Gluten free. 

It is very hard to come across if not researched. We struggled. 

But if your kids are happy eating salads and steamed vegies - you will be fine.

There is a Macdonalds next to the hotel and a supermarket called Cold Storage.

The famous Singapore Zoo:

Fantastic but does take 5 hours. Kids will love it and make sure you see all the shows.

Asked conceige how to get there and he said taxi – but googled and there is a tourist bus that runs every hour from a bus stop behind the the Holiday Inn.

At the rear of the Concorde Hotel in the back street.

 It takes you to the zoo for $5 per adult and $2.50 under 13 yrs. Picks up from Hyatt, Sheraton etc – took about 1 hr to get there. 

To come home – only take the 5.30 or 6.30pm bus back from zoo – the others do not stop at the resorts. We had animal overload so we didn't go on the night safari. 

No gluten free options – servers don't speak good english and have no idea about gluten.

Tickets for the zoo are $1 cheaper if bought on the bus and a pass for both the river safari and zoo is $38 whereas zoo alone $25 for adult.

Hope this information helps you as much as it did for us to have a fantastic holiday in Italy.

HAPPY TRAVELS