A guide to responsible travel for this summer and beyond
Meg Hennessy
Attention vegan adventurers!
We’ve put together a list of five vegan getaways in the United States and Mexico to consider this summer, or any time of the year. From bustling cities boasting vibrant vegan food scenes to tranquil getaways that rejuvenate body, mind and spirit, these places deserve a spot on your travel radar.
The Stanford Inn by the Sea, Mendocino, California
Nestled along the picturesque Mendocino Coast, this charming inn features awe-inspiring ocean vistas set amid beautiful gardens and towering trees. Known as a top destination for eco-conscious and vegan travelers in the United States, the inn is dedicated to offering a lush retreat while championing cruelty-free and environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
At the heart of the inn lies Ravens, an acclaimed restaurant known for its gourmet vegan fare crafted from locally sourced, organic ingredients. The menu showcases an array of globally inspired dishes like sea palm pad thai and rustic flatbreads.
Following a delicious dining experience, guests are invited to explore the surrounding wilderness by kayaking or canoeing along the tranquil waters of the Big River or hiking along the nearby trails. Yoga sessions, soothing massages, and free bike rentals are also offered onsite. The inn also operates on solar power, employs organic and biodegradable cleaning products, and implements an extensive recycling program. Visit stanfordinn.com for more information.
Dreamers, Wilmington, North Carolina
The whimsical interior design, thoughtful amenities, and proximity to the buzzing downtown and beautiful beach are just a few of the reasons this pet-friendly vegan hotel made our bucket list. An onsite chef is available to satisfy all your vacation cravings, from gourmet vegan, four-course meals to boxed lunches and happy-hour hors d’oeuvres. And while there’s plenty to do around town, the clawfoot tubs, private yoga classes and spacious rooms may tempt you to stay on the property for your entire visit. Visit Dreamerswelcome.com for more info.
The White Pig Bed & Breakfast and Animal Sanctuary, Schuyler, Virginia
If you want to spend time with rescued animals while on vacation, check out The White Pig Bed & Breakfast and Animal Sanctuary at Briar Creek Farm in the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains. The residents include just under 70 rescued animals, including pigs (large and small), horses, sheep and goats
We love that Briar Creek Farm consists of 172 beautiful acres, mostly wooded and untouched, allowing much of the farm to also serve as a wildlife sanctuary for birds, deer, turkey, fox, bobcat, possum, raccoon, beaver, black bear, coyote and hawk who inhabit the area.
Onsite you can enjoy walking trails, bird watch, get a massage, star gaze or sit by the creek. Nearby there are many local wineries and opportunities to tube, kayak or canoe down the James River.
The White Pig B&B is the oldest, vegan B&B in the U.S. Breakfast might include scrambled tofu and organic vegetables with home fries and whole wheat toast; Caribbean banana cinnamon pancakes with soy sausage; or soy-based frittatas. Bag lunches are also available.
The hotel will also assist guests in finding places to eat in the area that have some or all vegan options. Visit thewhitepig.com for more info.
Finca Victoria, Vieques, Puerto Rico
Finca Victoria is a farmhouse-style bed & breakfast located in the heart of the small island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Vieques is known for its outstanding white sand beaches and incredible bioluminescent bay. The B&B serves a delicious complementary vegan breakfast every morning after yoga, made with ingredients grown in the on-site fruit and vegetable garden and supplemented with other foods from local produce farmers. Vegan pop-up dinners also occur every Friday, highlighting a different local vegan chef each time.
In addition, Finca Victoria serves as a center of Ayurvedic services and offers experiences such as massages, red clay body masks, scrubs, herbal baths, reflexology, acupuncture, cupping, Janzu and Panchakarma detox. Visit www.finca-victoria.com for more information.
If you’re looking for something else, there are quite a few vegan travel companies to help you plan your vacation. For example, if you’re looking for vegan vacations in Asia—one for which you barely have to plan anything—consider a VegVoyages tour. The company offers green, cruelty-free, vegan adventures to off-the-beaten-path destinations. If small-group travel is more your style, Veg Jaunts and Journeys organizes trips to countries like Portugal, Iceland and Spain consisting of groups of no more than 12 like-minded travelers. Visit Vegantravelasia.com or Vegjauntsandjourneys.com for more information.