SLOVENIA

Fun Facts From Globus Tours

• Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991.
• The vine seen growing in Maribor’s old town is believed to be the oldest vine in the world stillbearing grapes (over 400 years old).
• Slovenia is highly respected and well known for its beekeeping heritage. They are particularly devoted to the preservation of the indigenous Slovenian species, the Carniolan bee.

A convergence of invigorating landscapes in Slovenia makes it one of the most exciting hidden jewels of Europe. Deep forests, alpine mountains, a glistening Mediterranean, plains, and Karstic caves create an endless array of sightseeing opportunities. But as important as the scenery is in Slovenia, the culture and people are just as vibrant. They are known as hard-working people who feel it is vital to possess a firm knowledge of language in order to understand and be understood. They are proud of their distinction and independence as a member of the European Union.

Although Christianized over a thousand years ago and part of the Holy Roman Empire, Slovenes have preserved many rituals from their pagan traditions and above all, their native language. After the fall of the Hapsburg Empire, Slovenia joined Yugoslavia, and as part of it was invaded by Germany, Italy, and Hungary on the eve of WWII. Escaping the fate of the Soviet bloc countries, it finally achieved independence in 1991 with very little bloodshed.

In Ljubljana, the prized capital city of Slovenia, take in the fabulous Austrian- and Italian-influenced architecture, bridges, museums, and dazzling nightly beauty. Art and history abound in this lively city, and there are many places where you can enjoy traditional Slovenian cuisine, which consists mostly of meats, soup, noodles, potatoes, and fresh greens. Abundant warm bread accompanies the hearty meals of Slovenia, and the dessert Potica is a traditional walnut cake.

Sink into the meadows, rise above the Alps, forage in the forests, and even venture out on the waters of this fascinating country unlike any other. It is an essential part of the full European experience but unique in ways that the Slavic culture has fought for throughout many generations.

VISAS, PASSPORTS, AND OTHER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Visas to Slovenia are not required for US citizens. If you hold a passport from another country, please check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Slovenia. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Please carry proper identification (your passport) on you and do not leave it in your suitcase or hotel room.

It is advisable to carry your passport with you at all times.

COUNTRY CODES

The country code for Slovenia is 386. When calling to Slovenia from overseas, dial your international access code (011 from the US/Canada), followed by the country code, area code, and phone number. Phone numbers in Slovenia are 7 digits in length. Dialing from the US/Canada: 011 386+### ####.

CURRENCY

The official currency of Slovenia is the Euro.

Bank hours: 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Euro coins differ according to country, but they can be used in any Eurozone state. Bank notes are of uniform EU design.

1 EURO (€) = 100 Cents (c)

• Bank note denominations: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500
• Coin denominations: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2

A few coins will be needed for public restrooms.

For the most current exchange rates, please go to our website at Globusjourneys.com/Currency.

Credit cards are widely accepted (mostly Visa and MasterCard), and you should have no problems using them in larger shops and restaurants. Smaller shops may ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit card. Be prepared to show your passport or ID when completing a credit card transaction.

BUDGETING AND SHOPPING

The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person. Actual prices will vary widely by restaurant and city within a country but below are some averages as provided by our experienced personnel.

• The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is €2-4.
• An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately €8.
• Dinner at a mid-range restaurant with dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage starts at approximately €25.

Shopping specialties: hand-cut crystal from Rogaska Slatina, pottery, lacework.

Counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available; be aware that under local law transactions involving such products may be illegal, and bringing them home may result in confiscation and fines.

Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is included on price tags. To obtain VAT refunds (which may take up to three months to process) special forms usually have to be stamped by Customs; please ask for a taxfree shopping form with each purchase and follow the instructions for completion; not all shops may offer this service, and minimum amounts may apply. Customs import charges on items shipped home are not included in purchase prices.

TIPPING

Tipping is becoming more customary in Slovenia. For restaurant service where the service charge is already included, round up the bill by a few Euro. Otherwise, 10-15% is a reasonable amount. Tips are usually left in cash and not added to the credit card payment.

• For taxis, round up the fare to the nearest whole Euro.
• Tip hotel staff €1 for room service.

ELECTRICITY AND ELECTRICAL OUTLETS

Outlets

Voltage for outlets is 220V. North American voltage is generally 110V. Therefore, you will need a converter for your travels. Adapters will be necessary to adapt your plug into the outlet, but these may not convert the voltage, so both devices are necessary.

TEMPERATURES

Summers are usually quite hot with high daily temperatures, though rainfall is common so we recommend bringing rain gear for the afternoon showers. Winters can be bitterly cold, with wind and snowfall. To help you plan, below are average low and high temperatures for Slovenia.

To convert to Celsius, subtract 30, then divide by 2. While not exact, this simple formula will give a close estimation.

CUSTOMS AND CULTURE

Be aware of cultural and behavioral differences in Eastern Europe; you may not be greeted as cheerfully as back home; smiling is generally reserved for intimate friends! So be especially wary of people presenting themselves as “instant friends” and never accept any offer of food or drink from strangers. It is not advisable to visit restaurants/bars promoted by taxi drivers or people on the street.

Travelers should not photograph or film anything perceived to be of a sensitive nature, such as government buildings, diplomatic   missions, border formalities, or military interests.

In order to avoid scams in restaurants/bars, ask to see the menu and prices before ordering.

FOOD SPECIALTIES

Sauerkraut, grilled sausage, jabolcni zavitek (apple strudel), potica (walnut cake), wines, and fruit brandies (apple, pear, and plum).

FEW WORDS OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGE

Slovene:

Hello: Zdravo, Good day: Dober dan, Good evening: Dober večer, Goodbye: Nasvidenje, Please: Prosim, Thank you: Hvala, Yes: Da, No: Ne, Where is…?: Kye je…?, How much?: Koliko stane?, 1: Ena, 2: Dva, 3: Tri, 4: Štiri, 5: Pet, 6: Šest, 7: Sedem, 8: Osem, 9: Devet, 10: Deset, Meat: Meso, Beef: Govedina, Pork: Svinjina, Entrance: Vhod, Exit: Izhod, Do you have…?: Ali imate…?, Restaurant check/bill: Račun.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE COUNTRY INFORMATION

Additional country-specific information for US citizens can be found on the US Government’s website www.travel.state.gov. Here, you can find the most up-to-date information about destination descriptions, passports/visas, safety and security, transportation, travel local laws, alerts/warnings, vaccinations, and more. For citizens of other nations, we recommend you consult your local consulate for travel information, regulations, and requirements.