Vegetarian in Europe

[Goblinmonger]

My family is planning a trip to Europe for this coming summer. We are looking at a couple weeks going to Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Amsterdam, Switzerland. We are in the planning stages, but I am wondering as we plan how the vegetarian issue will pan out. We are all ovo-lacto. Just wondering people's experiences, recommendations, suggestions, warnings, etc. I found a link to the Vegan Passport out of England and will probably purchase one of those.

[Ignis]

1. The vegan passport is great.

There's a version with pictures, too. I'll try to find a link.

Also, HappyCow is a good resource for restaurants.

[nankerphelge]

2. Spain was difficult...

but it's been 10 years since I've been there.

[Goblinmonger]

3. I've heard that

from a friend and read a couple similar accounts. We are probably just looking at the Barcelona area and I did find a list of a handful of vegetarian-friendly restaurants there.

[nankerphelge]

4. When I was in Barcelona...

we found some places to eat vegan. There were lots and lots of restaurants that had pigs' legs hanging from the rafters with little cups poked into them to catch grease. Apparently that was still going on in 2006:

http://realtravel.com/barcelona-journals-j3075164.html

[WhollyHeretic]

5. The only one I've been to is France. We didn't have much of a problem there

Plus by law every restaurant has to have menus posted outside. Just remember the phrase: Je suis un végétarien.