Top Travel Websites for Vegetarians

I recently returned from a cruise around the Mediterranean and immediately began promoting its breathtaking destinations to my good friend. Somewhere between my glowing review of Istanbul and excited recollections of Barcelona, I noticed my friend had begun to look gloomy. She just shook her head as I spoke, as if some unseen force had already made it impossible for her to experience such a journey.

I finally stopped and asked, "What are you so down about?" With a somber shrug she said, "I'd love to do something like that, but it's just so difficult for vegetarians to travel."

It hadn't even occurred to me. Merely journeying to the restaurant around the corner can be challenging for vegetarians, but venturing out on a cruise across the globe... Wow! Being a freelance travel writer, I set out to help my friend.

What did I find? In recent years, travel agencies, cruises, tours, and adventures that cater to the vegetarian and vegan adventurer have enjoyed explosive popularity. Now, with the Internet, it's never been simpler for you to plan a vacation on your terms. Days after I finished my research, my friend was off to Italy on a vegetarian-designed adventure - you could be too! Here's our guide to Internet travel services.

-- HAPPY COW'S GLOBAL GUIDE TO VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS
www.happycow.net
Whether you're looking for a divine dining spot in the heart of Paris or for a new vegetarian experience in your own hometown, this site has it all. With a breathtaking database of beef-free restaurants and health food stores worldwide, it's a resource you can't miss.

-- GREEN EARTH TRAVEL
(888) 246-8343, www.vegtravel.com
This travel agency, Based in Washington, D.C., specializes in vegetarian and vegan travel. From lists of hotels and resorts that accommodate vegetarian vacationers, to cycling, women-only, fitness, and spiritual tour packages, Green Earth Travel is a pioneer in the industry.

-- VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP
(410) 366-8343, www.vrg.org
A publisher that offers an endless selection of vegetarian travel guides.

-- VEG DINING
www.vegdining.com
Similar to the Happy Cow, this Website lists veggie restaurants across the globe. It gets better, though. With the VegDining card, which costs a mere $14.95 a year, you can get 10 percent discounts at over 100 vegetarian eateries worldwide.

-- VEGETARIAN TRAVEL GUIDE
www.vegetarianusa.com
One of the most popular vegetarian Websites receiving over 15 million visits, it offers a slew of information for the diet-conscious traveler. The greatest feature of this site is its events calendar that lists tons of natural lifestyle happenings across the continent.

-- ADVENTURE PLANET
www.adventureplanet.com
For the vegetarian seeking the perfect combination of food and fun, this tour operator provides active excursions to major destinations in the US, and outstanding adventures across the globe. For example: I bet you never thought there could be a vegetarian's tour to Nepal! With Adventure Travel, you can explore the Himalayas, immerse yourself in the culture of Katmandu, and never have to worry about what's going to be on your plate!