Dalmatian Island hopping in Croatia

Planet

Rather than using buses to hop on and off, all of our city tours are undertaken on foot. This helps to minimise the environmental impact we have on the already polluted and traffic clogged city centers. It also enables the group to discover hidden sights and gain a greater insight into the local culture and daily life. Where we do have to use transport, we use public transport in the form of shared ferries to travel between the beautiful Dalmatian Islands.

The tap water is safe to drink and we encourage travelers to take a reusable water bottle to fill up throughout the day, rather than adding to the number of plastic bottles used and to be carried. Another way to reduce unnecessary waste is through advising customers to bring lunch boxes and cutlery for picnics.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

We use a local tour leader who have lived in Croatia all their lives and are passionate about their country and showcasing its natural beauty. We choose to run the trip this way to ensure an 'under the skin' experience of each country. Trained by us, the tour leaders promote responsible tourism practices not only with travelers but also with locals. A key role they play is to bridge the gap between those people passing through and those living in the places we visit, encouraging interactions and conversations that are favourable to both parties. Local guides provide an intimate local knowledge about their culture and lifestyles that may go unnoticed unless pointed out, as well as ensuring that money is going back into the local economy.

Throughout this trip we choose to eat out at local family-run restaurants which is both an opportunity to experience the traditional cuisine and specialities of each country and region, and also helps support the local economy. On day five we visit a local winery where we learn about the cultivation and production of local grape varieties, such as the Grk and Posap. We have the chance to try a variety of wines and other local produce like olives, figs and jams. There is also the opportunity to purchase some of this produce, putting money directly into the hands of the local economy.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.