At WomanTours, we understand how important it is to eat well on a trip. Not only do you need the calories and nutrients to fuel your body, but good food is a big part of the enjoyment we all get from travel. 

WomanTours works hard to accommodate riders with special dietary needs, such as food allergies, gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, a vegan or vegetarian diet, kosher-style diets that avoid pork and shellfish and lactose intolerance. For example, for our tours in the United States, we make sure there is a vegetarian protein option for our picnic lunches, and we supply our snack table with nut-free, vegan or gluten-free items if we know ahead of time that they are needed. 

But in some corners of the globe where our tours take place, the restaurants, caterers and hotels that we partner with may not offer alternatives such as gluten-free pizza or plant-based protein. Or they may not be able to guarantee that there is no cross-contamination with food allergens. Similarly, grocery stores in the area may not have the selection of products to accommodate all special diets, limiting what we can offer at picnic lunches or for snacks. 

If, for medical reasons, you are unable to be flexible with your dietary restrictions, here are some tour-specific details to consider. 

INTERNATIONAL TOURS

Cuba: Bicycling to Havana

Summary: This unique cultural immersion of Cuban lifestyle and culture encompasses a farm-to-table lunch and tour of local crops and livestock, plus a chance to learn how cheese is made. The cycling route takes you past rice paddies and sugar cane fields,

Vegan: Lunches and dinners are centered around seafood, beef, chicken or pork. Vegans will do best if they bring their own protein sources. While many meals include rice and  beans, they are sometimes flavored with bacon, lard or pork, so be sure to ask.

Vegetarian: Vegetarians will do best if they can be flexible, eating eggs (available at most breakfasts) and cheese for protein and bringing their own snacks to supplement. If you eat seafood, you will have even more protein choices. While many meals include rice and  beans, they are sometimes flavored with bacon, lard or pork, so be sure to ask.

Gluten-free: Due to limited resources, a gluten-free diet cannot be guaranteed, and kitchens where meals are prepared may not be able to prevent cross-contamination.

Cuba: Bicycling to Havana Feb. 15-23, 2026

Netherlands Sail & Cycle Tulip Tour

Summary: This tour includes wonderful chef-prepared breakfasts, dinners and a spectacular three-course lunch served on the boat, as well as the chance to pack your own lunches to go. Plus there is time to visit a 400-year-old cheese market and the chance to ride through the town of Edam (yes, it’s where that famous cheese originated).

Vegan: Available with a small surcharge. Vegans are advised to bring some of their own protein sources as needed. 

Dairy-free: Available with a small surcharge.

Gluten-free: Available with a small surcharge. Due to the small size of the boat’s galley kitchen, the chef may not be able to prevent cross-contamination.

Netherlands: Sail & Cycle Tulip Tour April 18-25, 2026

Netherlands: Sail & Cycle Tulip Tour April 25-May 2, 2026

Portugal: Along the Atlantic Coast from Porto to Lisbon Bike Tour

Summary: This coastal trek brings you through amazing landscapes, from a walled medieval outpost and peaceful lagoons to rice paddies, pine forests and beaches where famous surfers practice their sport. Portuguese meals are served later in the day than many U.S. travelers are accustomed to, so savor your time to commune with others and relax.

Vegan: Traditional Portuguese lunches and dinner relies heavily on seafood and meats. It’s not a bad idea to bring along your own protein sources.

Vegetarian: If you eat eggs, cheese and seafood, you should be able to find sufficient protein for the tour. If you don’t eat seafood, then consider packing some of your own protein supplements.

Gluten-free: While bread is popular at lunch and dinner, so too are rice and potatoes.

Portugal: Along the Atlantic Coast from Porto to Lisbon May 16-25, 2026

Italy Bike & Barge Avignon to Aigues-Mortes

Summary: Espresso, gelato, Grana Padano (cheese), oh my! All of these distinctly Italian foods are folded into this tour, which includes wonderful chef-prepared breakfasts and dinners served on the boat, as well as the chance to pack your own lunches to go.

Vegan: Available with a small surcharge. Vegans are advised to bring some of their own protein sources as needed. 

Dairy-free: Available with a small surcharge.

Gluten-free: Available with a small surcharge. Due to the small size of the boat’s galley kitchen, the chef cannot always prevent cross-contamination.

Italy: Bike & Barge Mantua to Venice Oct. 10-17, 2026

France Bike & Barge Avignon to Aigues-Mortes

Summary: Le vin, les baguettes, le frômage, les crêpes. Does French cuisine even need any translation? France is the country revered for its wine, bread, cheese and pancakes, and so much more.  This tour includes wonderful chef-prepared breakfasts and dinners served on the boat, as well as the chance to pack your own lunches to go.

Vegan: Available with a surcharge of about $75. Vegans are advised to bring some of their own protein sources as needed. 

Dairy-free: Available with a surcharge of about $75.

Gluten-free: Available with a surcharge of about $75. Due to the small size of the boat’s galley kitchen, the chef cannot always prevent cross-contamination.

France: Bike & Barge Avignon to Aigues-Mortes Oct. 17-24, 2026

Croatia: Bike & Boat

We’ll island hop through the Dalmatian Islands, stopping in fishing villages, breathing in rosemary and lavender, swimming in the sparkling Adriatic, touring palaces. This trip includes authentic chef-prepared breakfasts, lunches and a few dinners on the boat.

Vegan: Available with a small surcharge. Vegans are advised to bring some of their own protein sources as needed. 

Gluten-free: Available with a small surcharge. Due to the small size of the boat’s galley kitchen, the chef cannot always prevent cross-contamination.

Croatia: Bike & Boat June 13-20, 2026

Croatia: Bike & Boat Sept. 12-19, 2026

Spain: Camino de Santiago Bike Tour

Following the hallowed ground that pilgrims have been traveling for centuries makes this tour especially meaningful, no matter your religious or spiritual orientation. You’ll be traveling through history and lore that are beautifully entrenched in these rolling hills and centuries-old churches and monasteries. Spanish meals are served later in the day than many U.S. travelers are accustomed to, and diners like to take their time at the table. Embrace the slow life.   

Vegan: Traditional Spanish lunches and dinner relies heavily on meat, pork and seafood. It’s not a bad idea to bring along your own protein sources.

Vegetarian: If you eat eggs, cheese and seafood, you should be able to find sufficient protein for the tour. If you don’t eat seafood, then consider packing some of your own protein supplements.

Spain: Camino de Santiago Sept. 13-20, 2026

Japan: The Shimanami Kaido Bike Tour

WomanTours is excited to be able to offer its first bike tour in Japan in 2026. While Japanese cuisine offers a wide variety of delicious and exciting foods, it can be a challenge for vegans or anyone following a gluten-free diet.

Gluten-free: Soy sauce, miso and other common seasonings that are used in a wide variety of dishes including rice and sushi are typically produced with gluten. It may not be possible to avoid them. We recommend bringing your own snacks and meal supplements.

Vegan: Many dishes, even those featuring plant-based proteins such as tofu, are made with broths that contain fish or pork. It may not be possible to avoid them. We recommend bringing your own snacks and meal supplements.

Japan: Island Hopping the Shimanami Kaido May 14-21, 2026

Japan: The Shimanami Experience-Ride Connect Celebrate Oct. 16-27, 2026

U.S. TOURS

GAP & C&O Towpath Bike Tour

Summary: Traffic-free cycling from Pennsylvania’s lush Laurel Highlands to the banks of the Potomac River means your dining will run the gamut of small town eateries (think Ohiopyle, PA and Shepherdstown, WV) to big city restaurants (think Pittsburgh, PA and Arlington, VA). As you travel east, watch how the flora and fauna changes. This is a bucket list tour.

Vegan: Plant-based protein options are limited in a couple of the smaller towns where we stay on this tour. Consider bringing a few of your own snacks or supplements.

GAP & C&O Towpath May 14-23, 2026

GAP & C&O Towpath Sept. 17-23, 2026

Massachusetts Island Hopper: Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard Bike Tour

This traffic-free tour includes a breezy beachside picnic and the chance to stop at a local winery and brewery. You’ll have a chance one night to explore dinner options on your own, as well as lunch on a couple days.

Vegan/Vegetarian: The protein options at the restaurants where we eat as a group are mainly meat-based or fish-based, so consider bringing your own if you avoid these foods.

Massachusetts Island Hopper: Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard June 4-8, 2026

Massachusetts Island Hopper: Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard Sept. 10-14, 2026

Cross-Country and Epic Bike Tours

Summary: Foodwise, our Cross-Country and Epic Tours run a little differently than our other U.S. tours as a WomanTours chef prepares most of the dinners on cycling days. It’s always a surprise and delight to see what she comes up with in her tiny trailer kitchen and Dutch oven set up.  Breakfasts are generally provided by the hotel and lunch is on your own, giving you the chance to sample the local flavor from coast to coast.

Vegan: If you require a vegan diet, there is a surcharge. If you prefer to skip the surcharge, we recommend bringing along your own vegan proteins and snacks.

Gluten-free: If you require a gluten-free diet, there is a surcharge. Due to the small trailer kitchen, the chef may not be able to prevent cross-contamination.

Dairy-free: If you require a dairy-free diet, there is a surcharge.

Cross-Country: Southern Tier March 4-April 30, 2026

Cross-Country: Northern Tier Western Half June 25-Aug. 2, 2026

Cross-Country: Northern Tier Eastern Half May 16-July 7, 2027

Cross-Country: Southern Tier March 8-May 4, 2028

South Dakota: Black Hills, Badlands & Mickelson Trail Bike Tour

Summary: Location, location, location! Not only are you cycling through the otherworldly Badlands National Park and along the iconic Needles Highway, but this tour gives you bragging rights for dining in the once gambling-crazy town of Deadwood, just paces away from where Wild Bill Hickok was shot.

Vegan/Vegetarian: The protein options at restaurants are primarily meat. Vegans and vegetarians should consider bringing their own supplements. Fresh vegetables are also not abundant at local restaurants.

South Dakota: Black Hills, Badlands & Mickelson Trail June 5-11, 2026

Maine: Acadia National Park Bike Tour

Summary: Ride along Acadia’s winding coastal roads and quiet carriage paths, where granite cliffs meet the Atlantic and pine forests perfume the air. If lobster’s your thing, you won’t find it any fresher than here. 

Vegan: Few vegan protein options, though the restaurants do their best. Bringing some of your own is advised.

Maine: Acadia National Park Aug. 7-12, 2026

Maine: Acadia National Park Aug. 14-19, 2026

Wisconsin: Door County Bike Tour

Summary: This tour is a feast for the senses. On a single day, you’ll savor a picnic lunch in gardens studded with sculptures, then experience the traditional Scandinavian fish boil cooked over an outdoor fire. On another, you can inhale the wonders of a lavender farm and then then sip hand-crafted hard cider before dinner.  

Vegan/Vegetarian: There are few entree options without fish, meat or cheese. Vegans and vegetarians who don’t eat cheese should bring their own supplements.

Gluten-free: Vegetarian entrée options typically have gluten.  

Wisconsin: Door County Aug. 23-28, 2026

Kentucky Bluegrass Bike Tour

Summary: Of course, there will be some horsing around on this trip as we pedal past thoroughbred horse farms and racetracks. But as you’ll find out, Kentucky also champions artists, Shakers and anyone who loves to warm themselves with a sip of bourbon.

Vegan: Few vegan protein options, though the restaurants do their best. Bringing some of your own is advised.

Kentucky Bluegrass Oct. 16-21, 2026

Take control of your dietary needs during your bike tour

Here are some steps we recommend to help ensure that you stay on course with your diet while on tour.

1.     Be sure to communicate your dietary restrictions on your tour registration. Our office staff channels all dietary information to our guides, who work hard to make sure the picnic lunches they prepare are safe for you. Our tour specialists work hard to select restaurants, hotels and caterers that can accommodate your needs.  

2.     When you arrive on tour, talk with your tour guides about your particular needs. Don’t be surprised if the guides approach you first to make sure they fully understand how they can support you best.

3.     When ordering off the menu at a restaurant, be sure to check with your server about ingredients you need to avoid, especially food allergens.

4.     If you have a severe food allergy, bring your EpiPen with you at all times. While our guides are certified in basic First Aid and CPR, they are not trained in administering EpiPen injections. Nor do the guides carry EpiPens in their First Aid kits.

5.     Consider packing snacks and supplemental foods for yourself if you know your tour may have limited options.

6.     For international tours, it’s a good idea to have a translation app (such as Google Translate or Apple Translate) to help you navigate menus at restaurants and hotels, in case your server speaks little or no English.

7.     If you have other food-related questions about your tour, get in touch with our office, 585-424-2124 or info@womantours.com. We’ll be glad to help.