Image via Wikipedia

Also Spodnja Štajerska is divided into several parts. At the upper part of the Savinja River, there is Zgornja Savinjska dolina valley with Logarska dolina, one of the most beautiful Alpine valleys, where the river Sava springs in the waterfall Rinka. Zadrečka dolina by the river Dreta is also considered a part of Zgornja Savinjska dolina. The highest mountains in this area are part of Kamnik-Savinja Alps (Planjava, Ojstrica), but also Oljševa with Potočka zijalka and Velika Raduha (2062 m) with Snežna jama are very famous. Two of the biggest settlements there are Solčava with gothic parish church of Saint Mary of the Snow and Gornji Grad by the Dreta River. This place was owned by patriarchs of Aquileia, which have also built Benedictine monastery in Gornji Grad in 12th century (in year 1140). It was later taken over by the Habsburgs and given to the newly founded archdiocese of Ljubljana in year 1461. Wide valleys by the rivers Savinja and Dreta are on the south side closed by plateaus Menina and Dobrovlje.

Farms, scattered upon the slopes, and dispersed settlements in the valleys make the area looks agrarian, but in fact, it is not agrarian any more. People earn more with wood, agro tourism and timber industry in the biggest settlements Mozirje, Ljubno, Gornji Grad and Nazarje. This industry has developed from centuries of the sawing, lumbering and wood crafting tradition. Recently, some other forms of industry have developed in the area, for example in Nazarje.

The basin Velenjska kotlina is not particularly big, but it is very important for the whole country. It is separated form Savinjska dolina with the hills Ložniško gričevje. Geologically, the basin is a tectonic sink, which occurred at the end of the Tertiary period (the only younger basin in Slovenia is Ljubljansko barje). Between the layers of sand, there are also layers of a coal ? lignite, which is 165 meters thick in the central area. The first mining of coal occurred in the second half of the 19th century, and the miners there are still active today ? they acquire around 4 million tons of coal per year, mostly for the thermal power plant in Šoštanj. More important in economy today is a factory of household appliances Gorenje, which has become one of the biggest producers of household appliances in the Europe and in the world. These were also the foundations for the development of the city Velenje, the fastest growing city in Slovenia (around 30000 inhabitants) and the fifth largest city in Slovenia. The second largest city in the basin, Šoštanj, remained in its shadow.

Velenjska kotlina (called Šaleška dolina by the locals) ascends toward Vitanjsko-Konjiške Karavanke with the highest peaks Konjiška gora, Paški Kozjak, Boč and Donačka gora in the east. Somewhere under the tow towered church of the Holy Cross on the Oljka Mountain, Zgornja Savinjska dolina ends, and Spodnja Savinjska dolina starts. Transitions of the Slovenian area are the best shown in the area of Celjska kotlina basin. Due to its climate characteristics, it is considered to be a part of the Pannonia region, but geographically, it is a part of the highlands and the Alpine hills. Like the Basin of Ljubljana, Celjska kotlina is a big tectonic sink, which is very dynamic in the north, but in the south and west, it is a flat land, called Savinjska ravan. Majority of this flat land is covered with gravel, which has been transported by the river Savinja, and with clay from the tributaries. Since the climate and ground in the area are favorable, the locals turned a great part of Spodnja Savinjska dolina to extensive fields of hops. Hop was produced only for trade, but as it is not as valuable as it used to be, also the hop industry is dying out. But it has contributed a great deal to a development of the basin, especially the countryside, which makes an impression, that the area?s economy is well developed.

The third largest city in Slovenia, Celje (Celeia), was founded at the confluence of the rivers Savinja, Hudinja and Voglajna already in antiquity. In Šempeter, by the former Roman road, leading past Trojane (Atrans) and Vransko to Celje, Romans built a necropolis for important families from Celje. Near the city, the river Voglajna, which comes from the area of Šmarsko Šentjursko podolje and past Štore, outfalls into Savinja. Soon after that, Savinja turns between the hills and outfalls to Sava at Zidani Most. Two known health resorts emerged by the Savinja?s path through Posavsko hribovje hills ? Laško and Rimske Toplice. Besides the health resort, Laško is also famous for its brewery from the year 1821, nicely renovated castle and an event Pivo in cvetje.
Celje
When we talk about Celje, probably every Slovenian thinks about the Counts of Celje, who were the most powerful feudal family in Slovenia at the end of the middle ages. In the time of Sigismund of Luxemburg, they even achieved honor of dukes (1436) and had equal authority as the Habsburgs. It is very likely, that Celje would become the capital of Slovenia, if the events in the past would occur in some different way. The Counts of Celje left only a few trails: Carthusian monastery Pleterje, the relief in Minorite monastery, some coats of arms and other things. But despite that, Celje has some magnificent buildings: a museum, the renaissance building from the 16th century with illusionistic ceiling paintings, lower castle (Knežji dvorec) of the Counts of Celje, abbey church of St. Daniel with Romanic core from 12th century and so on. In the beginning of the 20th century, Celje got two national homes, Slovenian and German.

Celje is also a city with developed chemical, metal and agricultural industry. Recently, Celje with its international craft fair made itself valued as a center of craft and business, not only in Slovenia, but also outside the country?s borders. Celje is also becoming a powerful sports center. There is also a known hill Aljažev hrib, with a mighty church of St. Joseph and an institution of Lazarists nearby. Not far away from Celje, there is Teharje, an unfortunate place, so instead, we should mention thermal spa resort Dobrna, Sladka Gora pri Lembergu (the pearl of the baroque of Styria), Šentjur (the birthplace of the family of doctors and musicians Ipavec) and Šmarje pri Jelšah with Kalvarija and known church of St. Rok.

Spodnja Štajerska extends to the southeast of Celje. Extensive and hilly land is named Kozjansko, after the largest place here, Kozje. The area was considered to be the least developed part of Slovenia for a long time. Transitional area between the rivers Savinja, Sava and Sotla is historically part of Štajerska, but it is often considered an independent (statistical) region. Posavje. Among the places in the area, we should mention Brežice, an old town with a castle (first a property of the bishops of Salzburg and later the Habsburgs) at the confluence of the rivers Sava and Krka. The castle in Brežice is today known for the festival of old music, which is today also held in different places across Slovenia. The castle Mokrice between Brežice and the border with Croatia and the castle Pišece are also quite famous and not far away. More than the castles, people are attracted by spa resort Terme Čatež.

If we go upwards by the Sava River, we arrive past Videm ? Styria part of Krško, to Brestanica, where the oldest castle in Slovenia, Rajhenburg, greets us from the cliff above Sava. The first owners of the castle were the bishops of Salzburg. In 1941, Germans transformed it to a gathering camp for around 45000 Slovenians, who were then deported to Germany, Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia. There are many other places, if we continue our road by the river Sava: Sevnica, with nicely preserved castle from the middle ages, Boštanj with a castle and a hydroelectric power station, Loka pri Zidanem Mostu (Primož Trubar worked as a priest there for around 15 years), Radeče with an old paper factory, and then we arrive to Zidani Most.

Among the places further away from Sava, we should mention Jurklošter, one of four Slovenian Carthusian monasteries, which was closed the first. Castles are everywhere, even if we travel by the river Sotla upwards: Bizeljsko, Podsreda (a center of the memorial park Trebče), Podčetrtek (with renaissance castle), Olimje (the castle was transformed to a monastery with one of the oldest pharmacies in the Europe). There are thermal spa resorts in Olimske Toplice and Podčetrtek. We can also take a turn past Bistrica ob Sotli and go to Sveta gora, one of the oldest pilgrimage destinations in Slovenia. No less than 5 churches are located on the mountain ridge and the peak with the same name, Orlica.

On the north, we can see the mountains Boč (979 m) and Donačka gora. A town Rogatec with a museum in the nature, church of St. Jernej and the castle Strmol is located at the foothills of Donačka gora. Nearby Rogaška Slatina is the most cosmopolitan Slovenian natural health resort, and also known for its glass factory.

Related articles

• Gorenjska – Triglav, Bled, Bohinj (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Dolenjska and Novo mesto (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Gorenjska – Radovljica, Škofja Loka (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Koroška (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Gorenjska – Kranj, Kamnik (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Northern Primorska and Soča valley (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Vipavska valley and Kras (Karst) (sloveniaholidays.org)

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• artiče tajerska ali dolenjska
• gornji grad zgornja savinjska dolina slovenia
• olimske toplice
• spodnja stajerska
• velenjska kotlina in zgornja savinjska dolina

Image via Wikipedia

Eastern of the road Kranj ? Mengeš we pass the airport of Jože Pučnik, and if we turn towards Kamniške planine at Moste near Komenda, we soon arrive at Kamnik, which was already mentioned before. Famous intellectual Peter Pavel Glavar lived and worked in Komenda and Moste, and also Plečnik left his mark there. We should mention the church of St. Anne in Tunjice, with an energy center nearby. There is poorly maintained castle Stari grad, proudly strutting over Kamnik, and above it, under Velika planina, distinguished Sveti Primož with two chuches, worth visiting.

Mali grad castle in the center of the town, Zaprice castle, Sandikar?s collection and many churches are better maintained than Stari grad. Franciscan church also has a monastery with an extensive library. Also monastery Mekinje in direction of Kamniška Bistrica is well known. Kamnik is a starting point of roads through Tuhinjska dolina valley and Črna valley, across the pass Črnivec (902 m) to Styria. We can also access Styria by highway past Domžale through Črni graben to Trojane (Atrans), or through Moravška dolina valley across the pass Kandrše. This is near geometric center of Slovenia, near Vače (vaška situla), but this is not a part of Gorenjska anymore, but Zasavje.

Description of Gorenjska is not perfect without the description of its capital city, Kranj. Without it, Gorenjska is almost meaningless. Kranj is an old settlement, which is proven over and over again with archeological excavations. Roman Carnium was renamed to Chreina by the bishops of Brixen. The name comes from the times of Celts and Illyrians, who liked to name places with the word ?kar? (rock, stone). In the middle ages, Kranj was the center of the lower Karnija, headquarters of arch parish and border county. Urban and spiritual center of Kranj is Glavni trg square with town hall Mestna hiša, church of St. Cantianius from 15th century and other respectable civic buildings. Near is also the church of the Rosary, former center of the Protestants, with Plečnik?s arcades. The castle Khiselstein used to be headquarters of border count, but today there are various cultural institutions and one of the main stages of cultural events in Kranj. Another such center is the theater Prešernovo gledališče with a statue of the poet and professional group of actors. Kranj got a gymnasium already in the times of Napoleon (1810).

France Prešeren, the greatest Slovenian poet, finally decayed and eventually died in Kranj. That?s why sometimes Kranj is called the city of Prešeren. The hose, where he worked as a lawyer in the last years of his life, is nicely renovated and maintained.

Kranj is also an important industrial, commercial and banking center with strong rubber (Sava) and electronic industry (Iskratel), Merkur and Gorenjska banka. Today, it has more than 40000 inhabitants.

Gorenjska – Kranj, Kamnik, Gorenjska – Radovljica, Škofja Loka, Gorenjska – Triglav, Bled, Bohinj

Related articles

• Northern Primorska and Soča valley (sloveniaholidays.org)

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• statues in kranj
• kamnik gorenjska
• gorenjska kamniška bistrica plečnikov dvorec
• gorenjska bistrica
• slovenia wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Almost 200 kilometers long mountain range of Karavanke begins far before Jesenice, but shows the most beautiful part right above the town, in the Alpine meadow Golica, and then it ascends to the highest peak, 2236 meters high Stol. Towns under Karavanke are birth places of many clever Slovenians, for example linguist Matija Čop in Žirovnica, beekeeper Anton Janša in Breznica, writer and priest Franc Saleški Finžgar in Doslovče and writer and priest Janez Jalen in Rodine.

Another significant town in this area is also Radovljica, ancient parish and important administrative center of the region. It is known for Thurn?s manor with beekeeping museum and annual concerts of old music in summer. Another notable building here is the church of St. Peter with priest?s house. Radovljica is also the birthplace of the first Slovenian writer of comedies, Anton Tomaž Linhart. One road from Radovljica leads to Kropa, old center of iron craft and forward past Jamnik and Dražgoše to the valley Selška dolina, with the largest town in it, Železniki. This town is named after iron ore (iron foundry) and is still important industrial town (Domel, Alples). If we come to Selška dolina from Bohinj across Soriška planina and through the village Sorica (Ivan Grohar), we can admire the valley from the beginning to the end, from Zali Log to Škofja Loka.
Škofja Loka celebrated its 1000 years of existence already in 1973, which makes it one of the four oldest cities in Slovenia. Company of Škofja Loka in Gorenjska is a bit younger Kamnik. Škofja loka with its surroundings was most of the time owned by the bishops of Freising, who also built the famous castle Loški grad, which was later transformed to the Loški muzej museum with gallery. Škofja Loka is known for its many churches: Parish church of St. James, the Ursuline and the Capuchin church with two monasteries, church of St. George in Stara Loka (ancient parish). Especially worth mentioning is ancient Kašča, which is today gallery Miheličeva galerija. Squares Mestni and Spodnji trg are dividing citizens also by their social situation. Industry has developed by the railway on Trata (Termika, Jelovica, LTH).

If we come from Ljubljana, Škofja Loka is a starting point to the valley Poljanska dolina, where the river Poljanska Sora flows. It is approximately as long as Selška dolina, and ends in Žiri with known factory Alpina. We can get to Primorska over the pass Kladje. Hills of Škofjeloško hribovje are located between these two valleys, from Lubnik over Škofja Loka over Stari vrh and Blegoš (1562 m) to Črni vrh. The valley is known for the birthplaces of several important Slovenian artists, especially painters, with the Šubic family as the most famous family of painters. Also famous are Anton Ažbe and many other self-taught painters. In Visoko near Poljane stands Tavčar?s mansion, but no one knows, for how long will it stand in the future.

We have mentioned Radovljica, on the north of the Sava River. From there, it?s not far to Begunje with Elan factory, to castle Kamen (the valley Draga) or to the place of pilgrimage, Brezje, with the largest Slovenian pilgrimage church. Under the Karavanke mountains and at the beginning of Kamniške Alpe, there is a city Tržič and nearby mountain pass Ljubelj and Dolžanova soteska gorge. Tržič is known center of leather and weaving craft. Along the road under Storžič (2132 m), we pass Golnik (known hospital) and arrive to Kokrica near Kranj, where another road leads by the river of Kokra past Predvor to Jezersko, with the pass of the same name.

Gorenjska – Kranj, Kamnik, Gorenjska – Radovljica, Škofja Loka, Gorenjska – Triglav, Bled, Bohinj

Related articles

• Northern Primorska and Soča valley (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Vipavska valley and Kras (Karst) (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Primorska (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Welcome on Sloveniaholidays.org (sloveniaholidays.org)

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• škofja loka wikipedia
• Skoja Loka
• painters subic family
• valley draga
• loka

Image via Wikipedia

Most of Slovenian people immediately associate Gorenjska with Triglav, a majestic mountain with three heads. For us, Triglav is much higher than in reality. Something like that must have influenced Julius Kugy, who wrote these words: Triglav ist kein Berg, Triglav ist ein Reich. This magnificent mountain with 2864 meters of height above sea level and unique geographical position has big symbolic and also uniting meaning for Slovenians. It is also featured in Slovenian coat of arms.

Protected area of Triglav National Park (TNP) extends from the valley of the Soča River to the Gornjesavska dolina valley, and from Bled to Bohinj. Total area of the park is more than 800 square kilometers (the central area has 550 square kilometers). Triglav is not the only high mountain in the park. It is accompanied with several other high peaks: Škrlatica ? 2740 m, Mangrt ? 2679 m, Jalovec ? 2645 m, Razor ? 2601 m, and so on. TNP is also a source of many streams and rivers. Between ski jumping center Planica and skiing resort Kranjska Gora, there?s a spring of Sava Dolinka River, official spring of the river Sava. Other clear river, Savica, springs in the valley of the seven lakes of Triglav. It flows through the Lake Bohinj, where it is renamed to Sava Bohinjka. Both, Sava Dolinka and Sava Bohinjka, join at the town of Radovljica, and then continue to flow onwards as Sava. We should also mention three valleys, which start nearby Mojstrana ? Vrata, Kot and Krma ? and they end deep between the mountains. The most visited is Vrata valley with Aljažev dom resort at the end. This valley is also a starting point for expeditions to northern Triglav?s rock wall, the third highest wall in Europe, with 1200 meters of height.

Not far away from Mojstrana, a stream Radovna flows parallel with Sava Dolinka and splits wooded plateaus Mežakla and Pokljuka. Then it turns east, past the Lake Bled and through the Vintgar gorge into the river Sava. We don?t have to waste words for what Bled with the island in the middle of the lake and the castle means to Slovene people. Most of them would probably list Bled as the most beautiful place in Slovenia. But not only because of natural attractions, but also because of the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren, who admired Bled as a child from his own home in Vrba. Vrba is today a starting point of the last part of the highway, which leads past the largest city in Zgornjesavska dolina valley, towards the Karavanke tunnel and Austria. Iron industry is still present in Jesenice, except that chimneys don?t emit clouds of dense red smoke anymore.

Gorenjska – Kranj, Kamnik, Gorenjska – Radovljica, Škofja Loka, Gorenjska – Triglav, Bled, Bohinj

Related articles

• General information about Slovenia (sloveniaholidays.org)
• Northern Primorska and Soča valley (sloveniaholidays.org)

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• bled i bohinj
• triglav
• gorenjska list soca
• pdf bled slovenia
• gorenjska bled

The 1st people that were recognized to have settled in here were the Jama Cave in Inner Carniola and there is an estimated 250,000 year old material were recovered here where two of them are stone tools and this was during the last glacial period. Today this country is a home to the Neanderthals and the Divie Babe flute which is the oldest known musical instrument in the world that was found in 1995 near a cave in one of its villages.

It is officially the Republic of Slovenia a country that is located in Central Europe that is very near the Alps. In almost 1,000 years its capital is its largest city Ljubljana. The countries that are near it are particularly Italy, Croatia and Austria these countries also made a great impact to Slovenia.

Slovenia is covering an area that is 20,273 square kilometers wide and it also has as much as 2.06 million people in it. The peak of Slovenia is 2,864 meters high, and that is Mount Triglay. Majority of its people speaks the country’s official language which is called Slovene.

Slovenia is proud to be the home of a handful of musicians and composers, including a Renaissance composer named Jacobus Gallus. He has influenced Central European classical music in great extent. To name a few more there is also the violin virtuoso Giuseppe Tartini and a lot more.

I?m going to end this with Slovenian?s cuisine. A distinct, single and uniform kind of meal does not exist here because in the country there are more than 40 distinct regional cuisines. You will definitely have to taste just about every cuisine there is? Now that is something that you would not want to miss.

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• slovenia and its people
• slovenia data sheet
• slovenia is proud country

Accommodation

When you arrive in Slovenia, your main concern will probably be to find a place to stay (if you haven’t reserve it in advance, which I recommend to do). The most expensive type of accommodation are hotels. Prices in more popular tourist resorts (Ljubljana, Bled, Postojna) start at 40€/night for single room (if you get a room at this price in high season you can be very happy) and can go very high in some fancy hotels. The average is about 60-80€/night for single room.

Another type of accommodation, especially in winter resorts, are apartments, which are usually 10 – 20 % cheaper than hotels. Some of them are run by local families, which are very friendly and you may also be able to negotiate the price (when you make reservations).

Hostels are more and more popular among travelers, not just the young ones. Prices of hostels are much lower than hotel prices. You can get a great price if you are willing to share room with other people. Prices for one night in shared rooms start at 8€.

Camps are another option. In main season (summer) camps charge around 12€/night for one person, children pay half of the price (price is for camps at seaside), which means that an average family (parents with two children) will pay around 40€/night.

One of the best types of accommodation in Slovenia are tourist farms. It is hard to compare prices of tourist farms with other types of accommodation, because tourist farms usually aren’t located near “hot spots”. The ones that are have higher prices, but an average price for staying at tourist farms is about 25€/night for one person, which includes breakfast. If you travel in a group (family, friends) and stay for more than two days, you can get really great prices (for example 35€/night for 4-bed room).

Driving

Rent a car prices in Slovenia start at 30€/day for smaller cars (such as Opel Corsa). Bigger cars are more expensive.

Public transport prices are a mystery for me too, because I never know how much am I going to pay:) For train prices in Slovenia look here.

Buses are faster, but more expensive than trains. Bus price also depends on the number of bus stops, which means that if bus stops 5 times on the way from Ljubljana to Maribor it will be more expensive than bus that stops 10 times. Usually buses with less stops drive on highway.

Prices of daily necessities

These are average prices. They can be higher in some tourist resorts or lower in some remote villages.

1 kilo of bread: from 1€ – 3€ (usually around 1.8€)
1 liter of petrol: 1.15€ (the same price on all filling stations)
Cup of coffe: 1.20€
Daily paper: 1€
½ liter of beer in a bar: 2.50€ (1€ in a supermarket)
2 dcl of cola in restaurant: 1.70€ (0.80€ in a supermarket)
Street snack: 2.50€ (hot dog), 2€ (pizza slice), 1.5€ (burek)
Large classic pizza in a restaurant: 5.50€
½ liter of water: 1€ (restaurant), 0.50€ (supermarket)
Souvenir T-shirt: 15€

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• slovenia prices
• prices in slovenia 2011
• prices in slovenia
• slovenıa holıday
• bus prices slovenia

First of all, mostly because of landscape variety, weather is different in different landscapes of Slovenia, which means that seaside has different climate than only 30 km distant Karst. And of course, Karst has different climate that 60 km distant Ljubljana. And so on. So I will describe each climate separately.

Mediterranean climate in the West

Mediterranean climate is typical of Primorska region, the region including the seaside and practically all the western part of Slovenia. It has very hot summers and mild winters. The main problem of this climate is a short-term but very strong wind called ?burja?, blowing up to 100 km/h. It can blow all over the year, but most commonly blows in winter (so don?t worry if you are planning Slovenia holidays in summer). Snow isn?t very common in areas with Mediterranean climate (especially not at the seaside).

Continental climate in central and eastern Slovenia

Typical of continental climate are hot summers and cold winters. Because of proximity to mountains, central Slovenia has much more rainfall than eastern Slovenia (1300 mm in Ljubljana vs. 800 mm in Murska Sobota). Most precipitation falls in spring and autumn. In wintertime snow is common. In summers rain showers can surprise you in the afternoon. Unfortunately, hail is getting more and more common.

Severe alpine climate in mountain regions

In Slovenian mountains weather can cause you many problems. Typical of alpine climate in Slovenia are very cold winters and cool summers. A lot of snow falls in winter, and in some areas snow remains until the next winter. Despite climate changes, Slovenia still has its own glacier. In summer, rain is frequent and can be quite strong.

Conclusion

When planning your Slovenia holidays it is very important to look the weather forecast and select suitable clothes, appropriate for the area you are planning to visit. Although Slovenia isn?t like England (it doesn?t rain all the time), umbrella might be useful because when it rains it usually rains heavily. Because of the wind, wind jacket can also be useful. Do not forget to take your hiking shoes if you are planning to visit Slovenian mountains, because the rain there is more frequent and paths can be slippery.

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• slovenia climate
• climate slovenia
• climate in slovenia
• slovenian climate
• climate of slovenia

My personal opinion and experience is that when you are in Slovenia, you must have a car or a motorcycle. It may be your own, if you visit Slovenia by car or motorcycle, but if you visit Slovenia by any other means of transport, I recommend renting one (if you didn?t arrive by motorcycle, you will probably want to rent a car).

Visiting Slovenia by car

From that point of view, if you are coming from nearby countries, the best way to organize your Slovenia holidays is travel to Slovenia by car. Slovenia has, in past few years, built a brand new motorway network. You may say that you hate traveling by car because of traffic jams. If you don?t arrive in Slovenia on Saturdays (in summer, otherwise day isn?t important), you most likely won?t have difficulties with too much traffic on our roads. From year 2008 we also have new motorway toll method ? vignettes for personal vehicle up to 3,5t. You have three options ? 7 day vignette for 15?, monthly vignette for 30? or annual vignette for 95? (prices are for personal vehicles ? cars and most of vans; prices are lower for motorcycles).

Visiting Slovenia by train

Slovenia also has national rail network. Arriving to Slovenia by train may be a good option, but travel in Slovenia by train isn?t a good decision. Because of landscape variety, Slovenian trains are slow and it will take too long to get anywhere. Besides, you will miss beautiful sights on the way. So, even though you came to Slovenia by train, I suggest traveling in Slovenia by car.

Visiting Slovenia by airplane

If your home is far away from Slovenia, you will probably visit Slovenia by plane. Slovenia has two larger airports (well, in comparison to other European airports, both are very small). One is near Ljubljana (Letališče Jožeta Pučnika) and other near Maribor (Letališče Edvarda Rusjana). You have three major airline companies flying to Slovenia. Slovenian national airline is Adria Airways. Easy Jet flies from London to Ljubljana and Ryan Air flies from many European cities to Graz, Klagenfurt (Austria) or Venice (Italy) ? all these are near Slovenia (Graz and Klagenfurt less than an hour, Venice about three hours). When you will arrive to Slovenia, you will probably want to rent a car ? please reserve it before you go on a trip in order to save some money on the trip.

Visiting Slovenia by bus

Bus can be a good option if you are traveling to Slovenia with an organized group. If you are traveling alone, train is a better option (cheaper, faster). When you are traveling by bus, together with a group, you have much less travel worries ? but, also much less freedom. The choice is yours.

Travel to Slovenia by sea

There is a direct cruise line between Venice and Slovenia, driving from April to October.

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• difficulties traveling in slovenia
• is slovenia good to visit
• journey from slovenia to venice
• long does it take from venice to slovenia by car
• may good slovenie

1.) Vignette

In 2008 Slovenia has changed its toll system. From 1.7.2008 vignettes must be placed on all vehicles driving on all highways in Slovenia and some other mayor roads (all tolled roads are recognizable by the warning with the picture of vignette).

Vignette warning

Vignettes are obligatory for vehicles up to 3,5t (maximum mass). Heavier vehicles are tolled normally at the toll stations and don?t need a vignette. When you see the toll station and you are in the vehicle with maximum mass under 3,5t and you have vignette placed on your windscreen, don?t panic. Go on the left lane, slow down (speed limit 40 km/h, I suggest you respect it because speed controls are common on toll stations) and drive through without stopping.

You can buy 1-year vignette (95?), 1-month vignette (30?) and 1-week (7 days) vignette (15?) for cars and vans or 1-year vignette (47.50?), 6-months vignette (25?) or 1-week vignette (7.5?) for motorcycles.

I know, it’s not cheap, but if you don?t want to buy it, I suggest staying away from the highways, because vignette controls are very often, especially on the toll stations and rest stations at the highways. Fines are from 300? to 800? if you get caught.

The only road you have to pay extra for (6.5?) is Tunel Karavanke (Karawanken tunnel). Tunel Karavanke links Slovenia and Austria and is about 7.8 km long.

2.) Speed

Speed limits in Slovenia are comparable with other countries nearby. If the signs don?t say otherwise, speed limit on highway is 130 km/h, 90 km/h on open roads and 50 km/h in cities and villages.

Speeding in cities and villages can be expensive if you get caught (1 ? 10 km/h more means 80? fine, 11 -20 km/h too fast costs 250?, 21 ? 30 km/h faster than speed limit means 500? less on your vacations and so on ?). Of course on open roads and highways fines are lower, but still high enough to cut your travel budget.

3.) Gas prices

In Slovenia gas price is defined by the government and is the same on all filling stations (except on automated stations, where gas is one or two eurocents cheaper per liter). So, if your main concern is the price it doesn?t matter where you fill your tank. Considering quality of gas, all gas providers must sell gas which meets European standards. Until this day, I haven?t noticed any difference between our major gas providers (Petrol, OMV, Agip, MOL), so I fill my tank in the nearest filling station after I see the warning light.

Petrol, the biggest gas provider in Slovenia

4.) Parking

There aren?t many places in Slovenia that we could call unsafe so you don?t have to worry too much where you park your car. But, if your car isn?t parked like it should be (for example parking on sidewalks, too close to junction, ?), you are bound to get a ticket or even worse your car can get towed away, which can cost quite some money. But, except in Ljubljana or at seaside, parking isn?t a problem in Slovenia (for example Bled and Postojna have quite many parking spaces available) and parking fees aren?t that expensive.

5.) Traffic jams

Slovenia, like other European countries, maintains its roads in summer because it is impossible to do that in winter. This can cause some problems on highways, especially on Saturdays (mostly because of tourist exchanges in Croatia). To avoid traffic jams in summer, travel at night and avoid weekends.

Because of many tourist driving to Croatia (they don?t know what they are missing in Slovenia:)), you can expect some waiting time on Slovenian-Croatian border (especially on Saturdays and on Sundays).

6.) Roads in winter

Roads in winter are usually cleaned quite fast and salted in order to avoid the risk of ice on the roads. Roads to ski centers are cleaned well, but tyre chains can save some troubles in case of heavier snow. Mountain passes are cleaned as well, but owing to unexpected snow tyre chains in your car equipment are obligatory. In the case of too much snow, mountain passes can be closed in the winter.

Mountain pass Vršič in winter

7.) Alcohol

Unprofessional drivers are allowed to have 0.24 mg of alcohol in one liter of exhaled air which is similar to 0.5g of alcohol in one liter of blood. Fines start at 450?.

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• prelaz vršič
• vršič
• slovenia by car
• filling station slovenia
• too much snow

1.) Location

Slovenia is a country in central Europe, bordering Italy to the west, the Adriatic Sea to the southwest, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast and Austria to the north. But, in order to get a real idea where Slovenia is I’ve marked it on the map of Europe.

2.) Political aspect

The Republic of Slovenia has been an independent democratic republic since 1991, when Slovenia seceded from Yugoslavia. Unlike Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia, war in Slovenia only lasted for ten days (Yes, I said days not years:) and claimed nineteen victims (on Slovenian side). Slovenia has been a full member of European Union since 1.5.2004. One of Slovenia?s achievement is last few years is also Slovenian presidency of the EU council in the first half of the year 2008.

3.) Currency

When Slovenia was a part of Yugoslavia, our national currency was ?Dinar?. Together with the independence we changed our currency ? we were using ?Slovenian Tolar?. But, when we joined European Union, our goal was to also join Monetary Union as soon as possible. As first country, which joined EU in 2004, we achieved our goal on 1.1.2007, when our currency became Euro (?). Now our national currency is Euro, which is a great advantage for you, because you won?t have to switch currencies all the time.

4.) Economy

When Yugoslavia was falling apart, Slovenia was lucky from two perspectives. Firstly, war in Slovenia only lasted for 10 days, which means, if we ignore other facts, that Slovenia started its transition (from socialism to capitalism) without delay, which occurred in other Yugoslavia countries (because they were in war). The consequence is that Slovenia has already completed the transition and therefore our economy is more stable than economy of other former Yugoslavia countries.

Secondly, we were lucky because even in Yugoslavia, Slovenia was the most developed part of the country. However, Slovenia had quite many problems when we became independent, because our economy lost a big market for our products ? all other Yugoslavian countries. That caused a smaller economy crisis in 1992/93, but the economy has recovered quickly, because we focused on the market of European Union. Of course, former Yugoslavian markets are still very important for our economy.

5.) Safety

Slovenia is a small country with little political influence on mayor countries. Therefore Slovenia remains free of terrorist incidents. Overall crime rate in Slovenia is low, but, like in any other country, it can happen (if you are unlucky). I still suggest normal preventive measures, such as locking your car (which I consider normal) and use of ?secure wallet? (under shirt wallet).

Top 5 search terms for this article:

• 5 facts about slovenia
• yugoslav war slovenia
• bosnian war map
• montenegro Croatia
• slovenia in the map of europe