Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

442 SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

Practical & Travel Information

With Slovenia’s popularity as a holiday destination
growing rapidly, standards in the travel industry there
have improved greatly. Slovenia is one of the better-
developed countries in South Eastern Europe and
travelling is a pleasant experience. The extensive road
network is in good condition and public transport is
efficient and well organized. The country also has a
modern communications network, making it easy to
keep in touch by telephone, post or Internet. Many
young Slovenes speak fluent English, and Italian and
German are also widely spoken.

THE CLIMATE OF

SLOVENIA

Slovenia has a Continental

climate characterized by

warm, dry summers and

fairly cold winters. In sum-

mer, daytime tempera tures

reach 20° C to 25° C (68° F

to 77° F). The weather is best

from May to September,

when the days are warm

and the nights cool. January

is the coldest month with

tempera tures frequently

falling below freezing point.

LJUBLJANA

monthApr Jul Oct Jan

5

hrs

8

hrs

3

hrs

2

hrs

98

mm

113

mm

151

mm

88

mm

WHEN TO VISIT

Slovenia’s vibrant capital city,
Ljubljana, is a year-round
destination. Elsewhere in the
country, April to October is
the best time to visit as many
museums and tourist attrac-
tions have restricted opening
hours, or close altogether, for
the rest of the year. July and
August can be hot in lowland
areas and along the coast, but
in other parts of the country,
cool Alpine breezes create
the perfect conditions for
summer hiking.
Mountain resorts are at
their liveliest during the
winter sports season, which
lasts from mid-December
until March.

DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of the European
Union (EU) can enter Slovenia
on presentation of a valid
identity card. Citizens of the
US, Canada, Australia and
New Zealand require a valid
passport to visit Slovenia
and can stay for up to 90
days. The official website

of the Slovene National

Tourist Office offers guidance

on visa regulations and

extended visits.

VISITOR INFORMATION

The Slovene Tourist

Information Centre provides

brochures and information

leaf lets on tours and transpor-

t a tion. The Ljubljana Tourist

Information Centre also main-

tains a website in English.

Most towns have their own

information centres. The

staff, most of whom speak

English, are usually pro ficient

in several foreign languages

and helpful in providing

information on accommoda-

tion and events.

HEALTH AND SECURITY

High standards of hygiene

and health care are maintained

in Slovenia and no special

vaccinations are required for

a visit to the country. Most

town centres have a pharmacy

(lekarna) with trained staff,

most of whom speak English.

These are open from 8am

to 7pm, Monday to Friday,

and for a few hours on

Sat urday mornings. In

Ljubljana, there are pharma-

cies that stay open all night.

Slovenia has a very low

crime rate and is considered

extremely safe. The threat

posed by petty thieves and

pickpockets is relatively

minor, but visitors should still

be on their guard, particularly

in crowded buses and busy

shopping centres.

BANKING AND

CURRENCY

Banks are open from 8:30am

to 5pm, Monday to Friday

and from 8:30 to 11am on

Saturday mornings. Credit

cards are widely accepted and

ATMs are easy to find through-

out the country. On January 1

2007, Slovenia officially

adopted the euro. It is advisa-

ble to exchange for eign

currency at banks and bureaus

rather than hotels as they offer

better exchange rates.

COMMUNICATIONS

Postal and telephone services

in Slovenia are problem free.

Public phones use telekartice

(phone cards), which can be

purchased from post offices,

tobacco shops and newspaper

kiosks. However, for long

distance and inter national

calls it is best to go to the

post office. The Slovene post-

al service is well developed.

Post offices are open from

8am to 7pm, Monday to

Friday and from 8am to 1pm

on Saturdays. Internet cafés

are common in several city

centres and most hotels now

offer Wi-Fi Internet connec-

tion to guests.

FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

There has been a significant

improvement in recent years

with regard to the needs of

the disabled traveller. The

Paraplegics Association of

Slovenia gives advice on

the faci lities available. Public

trans port offers wheelchair

facili ties while ramps feature

in an increas ing number of

train stations. High-end

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° C/F

0°C

32°F