Gluten-free at the Drumlerhof

Traveling is often a challenge for people with celiac disease. Many fear that they won't be able to get what they need on vacation—or that they'll have to settle for potatoes and salad. At the Wanderhotel Drumlerhof in South Tyrol, things are different. Here, gluten-free dining is so natural that guests with intolerances don't notice any difference—except perhaps that they can relax and enjoy themselves like everyone else.

Happy without gluten

Hostess Ruth Immenhofer knows exactly what she is talking about, because she is affected herself. "Gluten-free cuisine is very important to me. I know how difficult it is to be taken seriously when you are out and about – and how liberating it is when you can simply eat whatever you feel like." That's why there are two kitchens at the Drumlerhof: one of them is exclusively gluten-free. At the Drumlerhof, guests don't have to explain anything or make complicated orders. "Just say you're celiac—I'll take care of the rest myself," says Ruth Immenhofer. This attitude creates trust and ease—and makes the Drumlerhof a special place for anyone who otherwise experiences restrictions when traveling. By the way: people with other food intolerances are also in good hands here. The kitchen is flexible, creative, and above all, empathetic.

Gluten-free cuisine is very important to me. I know how difficult it is to be taken seriously when you're out and about—and how liberating it is when you can simply eat whatever you feel like.

Ruth

Your hostess at the Drumlerhof hiking hotel.

Everything is also available in a gluten-free version

From ribbon noodles to Schlutzkrapfen and ravioli to cakes, strudel, and bread—everything that other guests get is also available in a gluten-free version. Even pizza and Kaiserschmarrn are naturally on the menu for "Zöllis," as Ruth affectionately calls her guests and herself. "We produce everything identically. There's actually nothing we don't offer in a gluten-free version," says the hostess. The idea to make the Drumlerhof gluten-free came from her own experience: "At first, celiac disease was a shock to me. I stood in front of the pantry and thought: What am I going to eat now? Invitations, restaurant visits, celebrations – everything suddenly became complicated. In restaurants, it sounded like this: 'What do you use to thicken your sauces?' 'My salad without bread croutons, please!' 'Do you also have buckwheat cake?' In the early stages, it was often unpleasant. At some point, I found my way, and this almost automatically led to the thought: if this is how I feel, then others must feel the same. So why not create a place where no one has to think about it?"

Hiking in South Tyrol

And because a good vacation is not only about enjoyment but also about nature, the Drumlerhof offers the ideal environment: the mountains are right on your doorstep. If you want to combine hiking in South Tyrol with gluten-free cuisine, you'll find the perfect combination here. Returning to the cozy lounge after a tour of the Ahrntal mountains – and then enjoying a fragrant Gugelhupf cake, completely gluten-free – that's true holiday freedom.