The Celiac in Italy- Catalin Varela, GF Travel Advisor

08/10/2025

You know what time it is…let’s unpack my gluten free Italian groceries!

Your turn: what would a haul like this cost where you live? 🤔🛒

07/10/2025

You’re not ready for this one, amici…

Quinoa, the very first 100% gluten-free restaurant to open in Florence back in 2014, has officially arrived in the capital!🎉✨

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I basically live at Quinoa Florence. It was actually the first place I ever ate gluten-free in Italy, and it’s been my go-to ever since🥰

Their menu mixes Italian comfort with Asian fusion (hello, pad thai 👋) and their bread is legendary…like, I’ve absolutely smuggled it home before 😂

Definitely add this one to your gluten-free Rome list😉

📍100% gluten-free | lots of vegetarian options | cozy vibe | same Quinoa magic, new città

05/10/2025

Big day for 🥳They’ve officially opened their brand new headquarters, La Casa dei Celiaci!❤️

It’s just a quick train ride from the center of Florence, and it already feels like such a special space for our gluten-free community here in Toscana.

Between the speeches, the cooking demo from , and the incredible energy in the room… it really feels like the start of something exciting. 🇮🇹✨

Stay tuned, abbiamo già tante idee in mente! 😉

28/09/2025

Just popping by with some recent GF bites from my various shenanigans around the globe🌎🍽️🤤

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18/09/2025

Getting glutened while traveling is such a huge fear for us celiacs. I wish I could say it never happens, but after 5 years of living in Italy I’ve had my fair share of slip ups.

Over time I’ve figured out what helps me the most when it does happen, and today I’m sharing the things I personally do here in Italy to recover and get back to enjoying life💕

Of course everyone’s body is different, but if you want to see what works for me (and maybe pick up a few ideas for yourself), check out today’s post🤗

And if you want even more gluten free travel support while planning your trip to Italy, you can always book a one-on-one consultation with me through the link in bio. 💻✨

15/09/2025

Five years in Italy🤍

It feels like both forever ago and yesterday that I stepped off that plane in Florence with a suitcase and the most courage I’d ever mustered.

Five years of lives stacked like layers of paint, each one still faintly visible beneath the next.

I walk past a street corner and see the girl who could barely string together a sentence in Italian. Another piazza holds the memory of the version of me who thought everything was crumbling. There are places that carry the weight of heartbreak, others that still hum with joy, and everywhere in between… fragments of the many selves I’ve been here.

I’ve now spent more of my adult life in Italy than in the US, and that still feels weird to say. The girl I was back in America was just getting started. The woman I’ve become grew up here.

Florence has been both the backdrop and the co-star of my story. I have fallen in love with her, grown frustrated with her, and fallen in love again. Together we’ve weathered change, loss, discovery, and healing.

And here I stand, five years later, proud of the person I’ve become and curious about the versions still ahead of me. This anniversary feels less like closing a chapter and more like turning a page, ready to see what the next lines will hold🥂

12/05/2024

We’re joining forces! Read more about my collaboration with the Italian Celiac Association here:

The Tuscany chapter of the Italian Celiac Association (AIC Toscana) is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Catalin Varela of The Celiac in Italy, the leading online resource for gluten free travel in Italy. This partnership marks a significant step forward in enhancing the accessibility of c

12/05/2024

BIG NEWS! I am excited to announce my collaboration with the Italian Celiac Association of Tuscany!

This collaboration is multifaceted, with exciting plans to come (🤭) but our initial focus is on enhancing accessibility through language.

I'll be assisting AIC Toscana in translating their website into English, specifically curating a "tourism" section tailored to our international audience. Plus, we’ll be launching an English blog on the AIC Toscana site with insider tips, news updates, and much more🥳

Stay connected with us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and content designed to enrich your celiac travel experience✈️

We're on a mission to make waves in the world of celiac tourism, and we need your help! Let your fellow celiac travelers know that Italy, especially Tuscany, is more welcoming and accessible than ever before💕

Together for a future where all celiacs are welcome in Tuscany, both residents and tourists!🇺🇸🤝🇮🇹
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GRANDI NOTIZIE! Sono emozionata di annunciare la mia collaborazione con Associazione Italiana Celiachia della Toscana!

Questa collaborazione vedrà, nei prossimi mesi, lo sviluppo di idee entusiasmanti (🤭) ma il nostro focus iniziale sarà sull'incremento dell'accessibilità attraverso la lingua.

Catalin assisterà AIC Toscana nella traduzione del sito in inglese, creando appositamente una sezione "turismo" su misura per il nostro pubblico internazionale. Lanceremo anche un blog in inglese, dove condivideremo suggerimenti, aggiornamenti, e molto altro ancora🥳

Rimanete connessi con noi sui social per seguire gli aggiornamenti, dietro le quinte, e contenuti progettati per arricchire la vostra esperienza di viaggio senza glutine✈️

Vogliamo fare la differenza nel mondo del turismo celiaco, e abbiamo bisogno del vostro aiuto! Fate sapere ai vostri amici celiaci che la Toscana è più accogliente e accessibile che mai💕

Insieme per un futuro in cui tutti i celiaci sono i benvenuti in Toscana, sia residenti che turisti!

09/03/2024

06/03/2024

Those of you with celiac disease or gluten intolerance will be happy to hear just how inclusive eateries and grocery stores are in this bel paese. 🇮🇹

Join us as we welcome special guest, Catalin Varela, a gluten-free travel consultant here in Italy, on our newest episode of A New Life in Italy Podcast! 🎙️

You can find us on your fave podcast platform or via https://bit.ly/3V6yqEr . 🎧



This post was featured in How to Move to Italy and Retire in Italy - join for more posts and discussions!

27/02/2024

Grazie mille FirenzeToday per aver condiviso la mia storia❤️

Dopo anni difficili l'influencer ha preso in mano la sua vita e imparato a convivere con la malattia, trasformandola in un'opportunità

27/02/2024

BREAKING NEWS. You heard it here first…

The world famous All'Antico Vinaio just posted hinting to their newest project: a gluten free version of their sandwich shop on Via dei Neri in Florence.

As you can imagine, the Italian celiac community is torn by this announcement with some supporting the ever growing number of celiac-safe spots in Florence and some claiming they are stepping on Sgrano’s toes (who have been doing this for years and only a few doors down). The divisiveness of the conversation aside, we’ve been left with a lot of questions. What steps are they taking to ensure celiac safety? Are they planning for a certification from Associazione Italiana Celiachia? Will the sandwiches even be good?? This initial teaser has left much to the imagination.

In an effort to be as neutral as possible, lascio la parola to you all. What do you think? Are you siding with the loyal SGRANO supporters or are you venturing out to try All’Antico Vinaio’s GF schiacciata? Let’s talk about it⬇️