What not to do in Bela Krajina: the 7 commandments of Bela Krajina or how not to be a jerk on holiday here

They say Bela Krajina is a magical place. And it is - it smells of mint and homemade elderflower juice and rakija, the Kolpa River rustles gently, the locals treat you like a king... until you arrive with a Bluetooth speaker and five plastic bags. So, before you throw yourself on the meadow with the idea of "wild relaxation in nature", read on. Here are the sacred commandments of the Bela Krajina, which you break at your own risk (and at great risk of being pitchforked off the plot).

1. Don't pollute
If you brought chips, beer, cigarettes, and plastic bottles, you can throw them away. Wonderful! Bela Krajina is not your yard, the Kolpa River or the nearby bush is not a rubbish bin. Take your rubbish to the marked spots instead. After camping, fold up your tent and take it home. Inflatable mattresses do not belong on the Kolpa River. Feel the water creep up your butt rather than plastic. The Kolpa has a strong current and rapids in some places. A flamingo or a unicorn will get you to Karlovac in no time.

2. Don't tear and trample the plants
Bela Krajina is not a botanical self-service. It's home to rare, endangered, and protected plants - the kind you won't find in the best catalogue. If you want to Instagram them, take a photo from a respectful distance. Every flower counts. Even the one you just hiked while fixing your flip-flops.

3. Don't feed animals that aren't yours
We know you think the deer in the distance is "quite hungry" and that "the puppy in the house could do with a sausage", but leave animals alone, including sheep, donkeys, and horses. Their diet does not include your old pizza.

4. Don't cool your feet in Divji Potok
Yeah, we know, it's hot. And your feet are swollen like a watermelon from the drive to Bela Krajina. But the creek isn't a Jacuzzi, even though it gurgles over waterfalls. That's where the animals live. Small, fragile, aquatic. If you really can't stand the heat, jump into the Kolpa - it can take more. And streams should remain what they are: crystal clear, cool, and as untouched as possible. Even if they have perfect light for a story.

5. Don't camp in the woods or clearings
This is not the Wild West. There are places in Bela Krajina where camping is allowed, regulated, and pleasant. A wild camper is like an uninvited guest at a wedding - nobody wants you, everybody looks at you askance. And this: making a fire in the wild is a big NO. Forest fires are not part of the summer romance. Let the warmth of watching the sunset over Mirna Gora and a blanket in a legally pitched tent warm you up.

6. Don't cool your beer in the Kolpa River
You can forget it as you pass by, and it will always remain at the bottom. The Kolpa is a river. Not a cooler. It has fish, plants, and life that is not ready for your beer in a tin can from the shop. If you must, take a cooler bag. And if you're going to refrigerate, at least give a beer to a local.

7. Don't waste water unnecessarily
Bela Krajina is ironically a karst landscape full of water. But you have to be careful. Don't let it run too long, because every drop counts. When washing your hands, turn off the tap. Let your shower last as long as the chorus of your favourite song. Jump into the Kolpa - not with beer, but with respect. And maybe you'll even fall in love. The place, of course.

In short: don't be an eco-criminal

When you come to Bela Krajina, be human. And not one who is "in touch with nature" just because it's a hashtag #. Be someone who respects, protects, and enjoys without leaving an apocalypse behind. Bela Krajina, she'll embrace you with all her charm - if you embrace her with a little common sense first.

Can you do anything?
Get off the phone. Put it on airplane mode, bury it at the bottom of your backpack, and give yourself a digital detox. Signals are slower than a train here anyway. But peace? You'll find peace in no time.

Breathe. Listen. Look.
And, above all, don't disturb nature when it finally lets you in.

Good luck, traveller. And don't forget: the locals see everything. Even if they say nothing.