Dalmatian Island hopping in Croatia

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This Croatian island adventure makes use of the excellent network of public fast ferries to travel between the beautiful Dalmatian Islands. Whilst on the islands we get about on foot or by using local taxis rather than big charted buses.

To help reduce the level of pollution within the urban centres, the sightseeing tours we operate are undertaken on foot. A much nicer way to explore the winding streets and gain a greater insight into the local culture and daily life. When coaches are being used to travel between destinations for these small group trips we keep the size of the coach to a minimum, so rather than using gas guzzling 40-50 seaters we opt for more environmental friendly 15-25 seat coaches that use less fuel and therefore admit less carbon.

As a travel company we're acutely aware of our impact on the environment. Each one of our tours displays a carbon footprint, and we're working to reduce our emissions by regularly reviewing our itineraries and embracing lower-impact styles of travel such as trains, public buses or walking – which aren't just better for the planet, but we believe offer a more enjoyable and authentic travel experience too. We're a Certified B Corp that's committed to creating unforgettable adventures while protecting our planet for future generations.

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

On this trip we have a balance of time spent in the towns and cities and also out exploring the beautiful scenery on foot. During our walks our Tour Leaders will explain about the local fauna and flora and also village life and customs, and about the importance of safeguarding these for future generations. Our local agent in Croatia also feels passionately about operating responsibly, they are very much natured based and believe in the importance to protect the places they facilitate discovering showcasing the natural beauty of the country.

On day four we include a day trip to Mljet island by ferry, this unique island remains unspoiled, with little tourism infrastructure, just stunning turquoise waters and the fresh scent of pine forests. We pay an entrance fee which goes towards the continued protection and maintenance of the National Park and the boat used to visit the monastery on St.Mary Island is fully electric.

The tap water in Croatia is safe to drink and we encourage travellers to take a reusable water bottle to fill up from the hotel taps, rather than adding to the number of plastic bottles used and to be carried. We encourage customers to avoid single-use plastic on tour, and our leaders give advice on refill points each day.We strive to support nature and biodiversity through protection and regeneration projects, and for every customer that travels with us we make a donation to Rewilding Britain and Cool Earth.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

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 run the trip this way to ensure an 'under the skin' experience of each country. Throughout this trip the tour leader gives the group options to 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.

In Kocje on Korcula Island, we enjoy olive oil tasting with wonderful host in their farmhouse followed by a light lunch, savouring fresh, simply prepared delicious food straight from their land. There is also the opportunity to purchase their Olive Oil, putting money directly into the hands of the local economy.
On day six whilst travelling through the Peljesac Peninsula we visit a local winery. We tour the Dingac wine cellars to learn about the cultivation and production of the local grape varieties, Grk and Posap and of course there is time to taste the wines!

Our leaders are the heart of tours. They bring passion and unrivalled knowledge of the destinations and communities that we visit. Their guidance ensures we observe the cultural norms in a destination, they act as a bridge between travellers and the local community and ensure that tourism is a positive experience for both host and guest. We believe in supporting local; staying in locally-run hotels, exploring markets, buying snacks from street vendors, and by doing this we add money to the local economy and enhance our connection with the local community.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY

Our ground operations on this holiday are taken care of by a small Croatian company, by contracting directly and collaborating with numerous small, local operators, we ensure that the journey supports and uplifts the local economy. The owner lives in Zagreb and is passionate about his county and outdoor activities, starting his outdoor career as a competitor kayaker.

We understand that each traveller is unique, so the tour leaders will work with each group to cater to skill level and interests, allowing individuals to explore Croatia at their own pace. Although the majority of tour leaders do tend to be male, we are working with the local agent to balance this out, they currently have two trained female tour leaders and will be increasing this over the coming years. We believe that diversity is to be celebrated and as a Certified B Corp we're committed to championing equity and inclusion throughout our entire supply chain. We believe that an inclusive approach is essential, and that the best results occur when contributors have different opinions, experiences and backgrounds to bring to the table.