Isabel Putinja

Going vegan is not only a compassionate gesture towards our furry friends and a huge step towards reducing your environmental ‘footprint’. There are also many health benefits you’ll likely notice after you make the switch to a vegan diet.

The carbon footprint of the travel industry is responsible for eight per cent of the globe's total carbon emissions. Looking for ways to leave the smallest ecological footprint possible? Follow these handy tips on how to travel green:

Afternoon tea is a quintessential London experience with a long tradition which recently got a plant-based upgrade.

Istria, Croatia's biggest peninsula tucked in the Adriatic Sea, is reminiscent of Tuscany with its rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves. It's also an important wine-making region known for its home-grown Malvasia and Teran grapes.

Croatia's capital city offers an eclectic mix of Austro-Hungarian and Socialist-era architecture, plenty of parks and green spaces, and a plethora of museums and galleries.

Croatia's Jadrana Magistrala winds down the Adriatic coastline and is one of the country's most scenic roads.

Unspoilt, authentic and covered in walking trails and beaches, the islands around Croatia’s Istria peninsula are the perfect alternative to the country’s usual party circuit.

Fast-paced Mumbai is an influential hub for art, fashion and design and draws visitors with its fascinating mix of architectural styles, cutting-edge restaurant scene, and plethora of chic boutiques.

Croatia has over 1200 islands and islets scattered in the Adriatic Sea with only 48 that are inhabited – and a few of these happen to be car-free.

More than a meeting place, the Viennese coffee house was a second home for the city's renowned intelligentsia and literati who spent the day discussing, debating, and reading the daily papers, while regulars even received their mail there.

A 123-kilometre-long walking trail and cycling path that unites the three countries sharing the geographic peninsula of Istria, the Parenzana Trail is both a scenic treat and a trip back in time rolled into one.

International cities like London, New York and Berlin often make it to the top five in rankings of the most vegan-friendly cities. But there are other destinations that you may not have thought of that are also excellent choices for vegan travellers.

What's knobbly, smelly, grows 25 cm underground and is one of the most expensive foods in the world? The answer is white truffle. This highly-prized tuber grows in very few regions of Europe. One of these is Istria, a peninsula tucked in the Adriatic Sea and Croatia's westernmost region.

The Good Karma Meal is a compassionate gesture whose intention is quite simple: to provide “free vegan food to anyone who’s hungry.”

The high-end restaurant makes this a destination in itself, but the infinity pool, bucolic views and rooms with all the mod cons are reasons to stay.