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Slovenia 
Slovenia, with a population of just under 2 million, was the first republic to withdraw
from the former Yugoslavia (now the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
though also known as Serbia and Montenegro) in June 1991. A truce was negotiated after
only ten days of military action, and the federal army withdrew. The country achieved
international recognition as an independent state in the following year, and since then it
has managed to avoid being involved in the conflicts following the break-up of Yugoslavia.
As a result, Slovenia has been able to develop its status as an attractive tourist
destination. It has a varied landscape of snow-capped mountains (skiing and hiking are
both very popular), fine coastline, and lush plains planted with vineyards. About
one-third of the country is known as the Karst, a limestone region of underground drainage
and gorges, with some fantastic rock and cave formations. With half the population still
rural-based, there are strong folk traditions, while the capital, Ljubljana,
is a sophisticated central European city.
For almost 600 years, until the end of World War I, most of Slovenia was governed by the
Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the coastal region was long part of the Venetian Republic.
Despite 70 years of subsequent affiliation with Yugoslavia, Slovene culture exhibits many
similarities to that of Germany and Italy, as
witnessed in the architecture and local cuisine. This is not to deny a very strong sense
of Slovene national identity, helped by the fact that the country has a fairly homogeneous
population. Ljubljana and Maribor still have the feel of typical Habsburg towns, while the
coastline has some extremely beautiful examples of Venetian Gothic. The highlight of
Slovenia is probably its rich cultural heritage, with superb Gothic painting and sculpture
to be seen in churches around Ptujska Gora, Bohinj, and Hrastovlje, and fine examples of
baroque architecture in Ljubljana.
Slovene literature dates back to the 10th century, but is comparatively unknown abroad.
Perhaps the most famous Slovene writer is the early 19th-century Romantic poet, France
Prešeren. The Slovene Philharmonic was started in 1701, and there are several good
second-ranking Slovene classical composers: the best known are Anton Foerster and Hugo
Wolf. The arts flourished in the 20th century, partly in the field of architecture, where
designers such as Joûe Ple¹nik have an international standing. The cultural scene has
been dominated since the 1980s by the multimedia group Neue Slowenische Kunst and the
artists' cooperative IRWIN.
Travel Preparation
Entry Requirements
Citizens of the European Union (EU) and Switzerland may enter Slovenia with a
national identity card or passport without a visa. The Slovenians are very relaxed about
immigration rules but nationals of other countries should still contact the Slovenian
embassy or consulate in their country of residence before departure for details of visa
requirements.
Emergency phone numbers
Ambulance: 94
Fire brigade: 93
Police: 92
Time zones
Central European Time (GMT plus one hour). Clocks are put forward one hour from
the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the end of October.
Driving
Vehicle documents
Check with your motor vehicle insurance company regarding any insurance documents
you will need and whether additional motor insurance is required. A Green Card is
compulsory if you don't have international vehicle insurance.
Rules of the road
Always carry your full valid driving licence, vehicle registration documents and
insurance documents with you at all times. A spare set of bulbs, a first-aid kit, and a
red reflector triangle must be carried in your car. Drivers and all passengers must wear
seat belts where fitted. Traffic drives on the right and priority is generally given to
the driver coming from the right at all junctions. The maximum level of alcohol permitted
in the bloodstream when driving is 30 mg per 100 ml (3 g/l).
Roads, tolls and speed limits
The roads in Slovenia are generally well maintained. Motorways (avtocesta)
are indicated by an “A”; a toll is payable on most motorways. National highways
connect cities and are indicated by a single digit. Secondary and tertiary roads are
indicated by two numbers—the first indicates the highway that links up with the road.
Speed limits are 120 kilometres (74 miles) per hour on motorways; 100 kilometres (62
miles) per hour on highways; 80 kilometres (50 miles) per hour on secondary and tertiary
roads; and 60 kilometres (37 miles) per hour in built-up areas.
Driving tips
Many mountain roads have steep gradients and hairpin bends. Note that some roads
in the Alps close in winter. For information on road conditions, phone +386 61 341 341.
Assistance
In the event of a breakdown, contact emergency services by dialling 987. Check
whether your own motoring organisation has a reciprocal agreement with a motoring
organisation in Slovenia—this can reduce costs substantially in the event of a
breakdown. For more information about breakdown and repair services, contact the Slovenian
motoring organisation Avto-Moto Zveza Slovenije (AMZS), Dunajska cesta 128, Ljubljana,
tel: +386 61 341 341, fax: +386 61 168 5317. All accidents should be reported to the
police (tel: 92) immediately.
Electrical devices
The electrical current in Slovakia is 220 volts AC. Round two-pin plugs are used;
an adapter is essential for UK and Irish appliances.
Money
Notes and coins
The Slovenian tolar (SLT) is Slovenia's official currency (1 tolar = 100 stotin).
Slovenian notes are issued in denominations of SLT5,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, and
10. Coins are issued in SLT5, 2, and 1, and there is also a 50 stotin coin.
Currency exchange
Travellers cheques are the safest way to carry cash. You can exchange these at
bureaux de change, banks, and post offices. Major credit cards are accepted in most
tourist hotels and restaurants. Commission rates for changing foreign exchange tend to be
lower at banks than those offered at bureaux de change. Branches of Nova Ljubljanska Banka
offer cash advances on Eurocard and MasterCard; branches of A Banka handle cash advances
on Visa cards. Banks are generally open 08.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday and until 12.00 on
Saturday; bureaux de change tend to have longer opening hours.
Tipping
A service charge of 10 percent is often added to restaurant and hotel bills. Taxi
drivers don't expect a tip, but it is customary to round up the bill.
Public holidays
1 January: New Year's Day
8 February: Culture Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
27 April: Insurrection Day
1 and 2 May: Labour Days
15 August: Assumption
31 October: Reformation Day
1 November: All Saints Day
25 and 26 December: Christmas
Travellers with disabilities
Contact the Tourist Information Centre in Ljubljana, tel: +386 61 222 115 for
information on facilities for travellers with disabilities.
Transport
Metro, buses and trams
The bus service in most Slovenian towns is efficient. In Ljubljana you can either
pay on board or use discount tokens purchased from news-stands, tobacconists, and post
offices. Daily and weekly passes are also available.There is no metro service in Slovenia.
Ferries
Catamarans run twice a week from Piran to Trieste in Italy from April to
September. Excursion boats operate on Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. From April to September,
catamarans run twice a week from Trieste to Piran, and three times a week from Venice to
Portoroû.
Ljubljana
Slovenia's capital, dominated by Ljubljana Castle, has an old
centre featuring the baroque Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Ursuline Church and Franciscan
Church with their Francesco Robba altars. Also of interest is Robba's fountain, which
emulates that of Bernini in Rome's Piazza Navona.
Ljubljana's museums highlight Slovenian culture. The National Museum contains local
archaeological finds, while the National Gallery collections include paintings by the
Slovene Impressionists. The Museum of Modern Art houses a permanent collection of
20th-century Slovenian art.
Summer festivals include the International Jazz Festival (June to July), an international
arts festival, an outdoor chamber music festival, known as Summer in Old Ljubljana (both
July and August), and the International Wine Fair (August to September).
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