My Croatia offers discovery and gastronomy holidays which are distinctive in quality and value. Our concept is based on a collaborative effort with the local population to support and promote unique regional food, wine and cultural experiences. Our partners include individuals, families, and small businesses committed to preserving and developing a diversity of products whilst safeguarding the natural environment. With few exceptions, our venues are all local, our partners are local, and the food and wine is locally produced and predominantly organic. For us at My Croatia, responsible tourism also means building relationships. Relationships based on respect and mutual benefit have a direct impact on the quality of experience our guests come away with. With a mass-market holiday - where you never meet your host and rarely any locals - relationships are irrelevant. For us, the opposite is the case. Meeting your hosts, learning about their culture, and immersing yourself in the local lifestyle is what o ur holidays are about. My Croatia celebrates the pleasures of authentic, regional food and wine, presented as an experience to be enjoyed and savoured, in a relaxed, convivial environment. Many of our programmes support endeavours to preserve (and revive) gastronomic traditions which are in danger of disappearing.

My Croatia's Responsible Travel policy:

MyCroatia RT (Pdf, 76k)

Responsible Travel: Your role:

My Croatia is committed to the enjoyment of Croatia's unspoilt coastline, interior and islands, it's rich history, unique gastronomy and wine-making traditions. In order to keep things as they are, we encourage responsible tourism which keeps the environmental and cultural demands upon it as low as possible.

Here are some simple and effective tips designed to help you support our objectives:

• Whenever possible, we encourage you to travel outside of the peak tourist months of July and August when the impact on services and infrastructure in Croatia is negligible. With fewer visitors and slightly cooler temperatures, traveling outside of the peak summer months is pleasant and comfortable for walking, swimming and sightseeing. You will have an altogether more authentic and enriching experience and can be sure to have the best choice of fish, meat and local produce in restaurants and on market stalls. The continental regions, in particular, have a lot to offer in the spring and fall - wild asparagus, truffles, grape and olive harvests, chestnut, wine and cherry festivals. As a result, some of our best cookery holidays are offered only in the spring and fall. Another reason to travel in Croatia outside of July and August is economic - to provide income and jobs for local people for a larger portion of the year, not just during the summer. In many places, especially the islands, the tourist season starts and ends over the period of two short months, often overburdening the already fragile environment and infrastructure.

• Please pick up your litter as you would at home: bottles, cans, plastic, cigarette buds. Croatia is famous for its wild stretches of unspoilt coastline. Please help us keep it that way.

• Remember that in some places fresh water is a very precious commodity, especially on the islands. During the summer months you might experience short periods of water shortages. Please use a minimum for showering and washing. If your hotel has a policy for re-using towels, please support that as often as you can. Remember to turn off electricity and air-conditioning units in your room when you are not using it or you leave the premises.

• Please respect local culture and traditions. It is important to familiarise yourself with the local people's customs; the local concept of time is also likely to be slower than your own. You are the visitor, and by showing respect you  will be respected too. Don't take photographs without obtaining permission and be aware of dressing appropriately In places of worship.

• Please try local food, wine and specialities, rather than requesting international brands. Our gourmet presentations, wine tours and cookery courses support endeavors to preserve (and revive) gastronomic traditions which are in danger of disappearing, especially in some of the more remote parts of Croatia. Locally sourced food and drinks are the core of our mission, as well as the quality of your holiday experience. By eating locally produced goods you will help the local farmers as well as the local economy. Please see My Croatia's Gourmet Notes which outline our recommended local restaurants, shops, wine and olive oil routes, as well as regional foodie events.

• Learning a few words of the local language is a great way to meet local people and break down barriers. We have tried to make it easier for you by including a glossary at the back of our brochure which explains the meaning of many of the words our guests will encounter in Croatia. In addition, a small pocket phrase book is a standard supplement for all of our holidays.