How One Family Found a Truly Stress-Free Holiday With Multiple Food Allergies
That’s exactly how Katie felt. Her daughter Elyse , age 7, is allergic to dairy, gluten and soy – ingredients that appear in more dishes and products than most people realise. Even the smallest trace leaves Elyse with crippling tummy pain. After years of anxiety-filled trips and reliance on self-catering holidays, Katie was exhausted and ready to give up on the idea of a truly restful family break.
Why the Right Preparation Matters So Much
Families dealing with allergies know that planning a holiday can feel like a full-time job. Researching resorts, contacting hotels, checking menus, confirming allergy procedures and ensuring all departments are informed takes hours - time many parents simply don’t have.
For Katie’s family, the difference came from choosing a resort that not only accepts allergy information, but actively prepares for it in advance. She came to me.
I carefully chose Ikos Dassia in Corfu, a resort known for its exceptional attention to detail when it comes to guest needs, including specialised dietary requirements. Before the family travelled, extensive communication took place between myself and the Ikos team to ensure that every department – reservations, guest relations, kitchen teams and restaurant managers – understood Elyse’s allergies and how to support her confidently. This step is crucial for any family travelling with allergies: thorough pre-travel communication sets the tone for a smooth holiday – as your travel consultant, I will do that on your behalf.
A Holiday That Didn’t Start With Stress
Instead of filling a suitcase with safe snacks (something allergy parents know all too well), the family arrived to a selection of pre-arranged snacks specially sourced for Elyse’s dietary requirements. This small gesture lifted a huge weight off their shoulders.
The upgraded one-bedroom apartment we booked offered Elyse her own sleeping space – a detail that helped everyone settle in comfortably after a stormy flight.
Exceptional Allergy Care Throughout the Stay
What stood out most during their holiday was the level of care and attention given to Elyse at every meal: • All food for Elyse was cooked fresh to avoid cross-contamination. • Restaurant managers or the head chef visited the table before each meal, reassuring the family and explaining options. • Every à la carte restaurant had safe choices, and if one didn’t, staff fetched dishes from another restaurant. • One evening, a waitress walked to the breakfast kitchen to collect a gluten-free chocolate brownie so Elyse could enjoy dessert like everyone else. • Elyse fell in love with the sorbet – so good she initially refused it, thinking it was ice cream!
Meanwhile, James was pleasantly surprised to find gluten-free beers and croissants available, allowing him to relax and enjoy a few treats of his own.
By the end of the holiday, the family felt safe enough to do something entirely new: ordering poolside food without fear. This level of confidence is rare for allergy families and speaks volumes about the resort’s procedures and staff training.
What Other Allergy Families Can Learn From Their Experience
Katie’s family’s story highlights some important takeaways for anyone travelling with food allergies:
1. Choose resorts with strong allergy protocols – not just “allergy-friendly” labels. Look for evidence of staff training, flexible food preparation and clear communication. 2. Pre-holiday communication is essential. Ideally, hotels should confirm in writing that all relevant staff are aware of allergies and prepared to cater safely. 3. Don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions. From cross-contamination procedures to menu options, clarity creates confidence. 4. Consider destinations where chefs prepare food fresh. This greatly reduces the risk of cross-contact. 5. Allergy-safe holidays are possible. Families often assume all-inclusive or luxury resorts are off limits – but many, like Ikos, are well equipped to support complex dietary needs. 6. Use the services of a travel consultant (like me). My job is to know the best accommodation and locations around the world that work for you. But to be completely transparent, I spent hours liaising with different staff at Ikos. Let someone, like me, take the strain for you.
A Holiday That Restored Confidence
By the time they returned home, Katie and her family felt something they hadn’t felt in years: relaxed. They enjoyed meals together without fear, tried new foods, made memories, and experienced a holiday that felt like a holiday - not a logistical operation. Their experience is a reminder to all allergy families: You deserve a break that feels safe, supported and genuinely enjoyable. With the right preparation and the right destination, it really is possible.
Contact me at sara.dickenson@travelcounsellors.com or 01270 917091 to find your dream holiday that works for YOUR unique family.