Slovenia

Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe, where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Pannonian plains and the mysterious Karst. Slovenia is known for its picturesque scenery and it is not surprising that green is the dominant colour, with more than half of the country being covered in woods and forests. In the winter the country offers many excellent ski resorts and in the summer these plains and mountains deliver unforgettable hiking experiences, which are just an hour-drive away from the breathtaking coastline. Slovenia prides itself upon rich culture and history. The country is also known for its great wines and delicious traditional food.

Language

The country's official language is Slovene, which makes use of the Latin alphabet. Most of people speak and understand English very good, while some also have a good grasp of German. In the areas bordering Italy many people speak fluent Italian. Although communication in English is not a problem in Slovenia, with some basic Slovenian phrases, such as “dober dan” ('doh-behr dahn) meaning “good day” and “hvala” (hvah-lah) meaning “thank you”, you might get rewarded by a warm-hearted smile in return.

Currency

Since 2007 Euro is the official currency in Slovenia, for both non-cash and cash transactions.

POS terminals enable non-cash payment with credit or debit cards. Cards accepted for payment are Maestro, Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Amex and Diners (depends on the sales outlet) and local cards Activa and Karanta.

Banks

Banks are open between 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00 on weekdays, and some on Saturdays between 9:00 and 12:00. In the banks, visitors of Slovenia can exchange money and cash traveller’s cheques, open bank accounts, deposit cash and conduct other non-cash business. Money can also be exchanged in exchange offices, at hotel reception desks, tourist agencies, petrol stations and larger supermarkets.

Transport

The most common means of public transport in Slovenia is a train or a bus. In larger cities such as Ljubljana or Maribor you can also move around by means of a taxi and city bus. Slovenia is well interconnected with highways which enables you to travel to any part of the country in under two hours.

Weather

The climate is continental with cold winters and warm summers, but at the coastal areas there is pleasant sub mediterranean climate. July is a good time to visit Slovenia. It is mostly sunny with temperatures averaging around 21°, but during the day the temperatures may rise as high as 30°. Evenings might get a little bit chilly this time of year, particularly in the vicinity of lakes and rivers.

For more detailed information about Slovenia please visit Lonely Planet or the Slovenian travel guide.