Slovenia Tours

• Bees are a big industry in Slovenia – there are over 90,000 bee keepers in a population of just under 2 million people!
• Mt. Triglav, the highest peak (2,863 metres) in the Slovenian Alps, is represented on Slovenia's national coat of arms.
• Slovenia's Skocjan Caves, on the World Heritage list, are one of the world's most famous systems of limestone (karstic) caves.
• There are about 260 waterfalls in Slovenia.  Boka is Slovenia’s highest waterfall.
• The famous Lipizzaner horses originate from Lipica in Slovenia. The stud farm was established in 1580.
• Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia on 25th June 1991.
• Handball is a popular sport in Slovenia.
• Over half of Slovenia is protected land, covered in woods and forests, making it one of the greenest countries on earth.
• Slovenia has just twenty-four miles of coast on the Adriatic Sea! On land, it neighbours four countries: Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia.

Australian passport holders travelling to Slovenia do not need a visa at this time.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

Australian Embassy in Slovenia:

Železna Cesta 14
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia

Ph. +386 1 234 8675
Fax. +386 1 234 8676

The official currency of Slovenia is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.

The recommended currency to take to Slovenia is the Euro. Ensure you change a small amount into small denominations.

Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have Euro’s with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in Ljubljana is approximately €2.
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately €10.
• The price dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately €20.
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately €4-€5.

Slovenian cuisine has been greatly influenced by the surrounding countries, such as Austria and Italy. Main meals often consist of soup and a meat or fish dish accompanied by salad and bread. Milk and cheese, especially cottage cheese, are traditional to the Slovene diet. Espresso coffee, herbal and iced teas are also popular. Fruit juices are produced locally. Alcoholic drinks include wine, beer (pivo) and plum brandy (slivovka).

Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later! If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.

If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

Slovenia has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters (snow falls in the Alps). The climate on the coast is typically Mediterranean.

Want to get out and explore on your own?

Walking is one of the best ways to explore Ljubijana in Slovenia. Ljubijana does not have a metro train or tram system but does have a decent bus system. (Although it does have an intercity train link.)

When catching taxis, have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. Also, ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Slovenia …

There are several traditional Slovenian purchases available all over the country that might please souvenir hunters. Lace has been produced in the country for centuries and intricately designed pieces are popular gifts to bring back. Rogaska crystal ware comes in various shapes and styles. You’ll find elaborate, traditional vases and minimalist modern wine glasses of this high-quality product in many shops - at more affordable prices compared to other countries. Other handicrafts include carved woodwork, embroidery and pottery, which are sold in shops around the country.

As a rule, Slovenes are not too touchy/feely and like to greet with a handshake, unless they are meeting close friends.

As with a lot of places, Slovenes like it when you attempt to speak their language.

Most public places are smoke free.

It’s not unusual for Slovenes to stare at foreigners… don’t be alarmed, it’s just their way.

During the summer months, Slovenia becomes one big open-air festival. The Ljubljana Festival runs from the end of June through to the end of August and offers patrons music, theatre and dance performances in a unique setting to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Other national public holidays to be aware of include:

• New Year’s Day
• Day After New Year’s Day
• Preseren Day (early February)
• Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
• Resistance Day (April 27th)
• May Day Holiday (May 1st and 2nd)
• Whit Monday (50 days after Easter)
• Statehood Day (June 25th)
• Assumption Day (August 15th)
• Reformation Day (October 31st)
• All Saints Day (November 1st)
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day