Where Vegetarians Meet for Vacations

So many Americans are vegetarians that numerous tour operators, travel consultants and summer camps have started to specialize in vacations for them.

One of the older organizations assisting vegetarian vacationers is Green Earth Travel, founded in 1991 by travel veteran Donna Zeigfinger. She organizes trips not simply for vegetarians but for dedicated vegans, who do not eat fish, fowl or milk products. Call Green Earth Travel, (888) 246-8343, or visit Zeigfinger’s Web site, at www.vegtravel.com, which offers extensive listings of vegetarian bed-and-breakfasts in North America, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean and postings on numerous veggie tours.

If you’re interested in bicycle touring in Britain, you might want to contact Bicycle Beano Cycling Holidays. Although the firm acknowledges that most of its clients are not vegetarians, participants are served a gourmet vegan or vegetarian breakfast and dinner each day and are dropped off at pubs (where vegetable-only options are readily available) for lunch. Passengers cycle throughout Britain, including the Upper Wye Valley in Wales and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Rates range from $85 to $115 per day and include breakfast, tea and dinner, accommodations, route sheets and the services of a cycling guide and mechanic. Contact Bicycle Beano, 011-44-1982-560-471 or www.bicycle-beano.co.uk.

VegiVentures Holidays, a British firm founded in 1989 by chef Nigel Walker, organizes at least 10 group tours a year in Britain, Peru and Turkey. The tours vary in their focus but always emphasize vegetarian (or vegan) meals. During an English Lakes District trip, for instance, mornings begin with an optional “stretch, breathing and movement” class, and the rest of the day is spent trekking the surrounding hills and mountains. For information, write to VegiVentures, Castle Cottage, Castle Acre, Norfolk PE32 2AJ, England; 011-44-1760-755-888, www.vegiventures.com.

The Internet is a growing source of information, enabling vegetarians to share their recommendations with like-minded travelers. Helpful Web sites for vegetarian travelers include www.vegdining.com, www.vegsource.com/travel, www.vrg.org, www.vegeats.com, www.vegetarian.about.com and www.vegetarianworldguides.com.