Olympia: The Ultimate Guide to Gluten-Free Travel

Leaving the port of Katakolon on the mainland of Greece and heading to Olympia felt like time-traveling back to the 8th century BC, when athletes competed not for gold medals, but for olive wreaths and eternal glory. As we strolled through this ancient “Olympic Village,” we marveled at the sheer number of buildings—gymnasiums where athletes honed their skills, temples where they prayed to the gods for victory, and the stadium with its straight track. Imagine the runners sprinting back and forth, rather than around in circles – ancient cardio with a twist.

Speaking of twists, the athletes competed in the nude. Only men were allowed to participate, and they did so in their birthday suits. The risks of such exposure are enough to make anyone wince—one wrong move, and you’d hope the gods were merciful. As for the women, they had their own minor games, dressed modestly except for a single bare breast, a rather unconventional way of proving their gender.

After just watching the 2024 Olympics in Paris, it was a fascinating leap back in time to see where it all began, right down to the cauldron where the Olympic flame is ignited every four years.

Now, I must confess, our tour didn’t exactly cater to the gastronomically adventurous. We were whisked away to an event venue where snacks like spanakopita, orzo, rice, and olives were on offer. My husband, ever the opportunist, gladly helped himself to my portion, as gluten was the main offering. But no worries—I embraced the chance to shed a few calories and even joined in some Greek dancing. For some reason, the locals were particularly insistent that I join the ladies dancing on the table, though I regretfully missed the opportunity to smash a plate. Opa, indeed!

When they use the phrase, “It’s all Greek to me” they mean it as the Greek alphabet is incomprehensible to most coming from a country that uses a Latin alphabet. Fortunately, many signs are written for other nationalities to understand, and sites like this https://www.celiactravel.com/cards/greek/ and https://www.free-gluten.gr/portfolio_page/gluten-free-guide-to-greece-and-free-gluten-free-travel-card/ can provide a way to request a meal without gluten.

All in all, Olympia was a treasure trove of ancient ruins, adding another layer to Greece’s rich history. Yet, I’m still on the lookout for that elusive Greek salad or something that ticks all my dietary boxes. But, I did get my fill of history and culture.