TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(SIT)
Tolar |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 386, City Code, Ljubljana 1+7D, Maribor 2+7D, Celje 3+7D |
Food
& Drink: Slovenia’s national cuisine shows
an Austro-German influence with sauerkraut, grilled sausage and
apple strudel often appearing on menus. The best-known Slovene
foods are the breads made for special occasions which appear in
the form of braided loaves or wreathes, the struklji stuffed with
sweet fillings, meat or vegetables. Another Slovene speciality
is potica, a dessert prepared with a wide variety of fillings.
The western and northeastern parts of Slovenia are known for their
outstanding white wines (Laski, Renski Rizling and many others).
The south is the homeland of the light, russet-coloured cvicek
wine. The Adriatic Coast and the Karst region have mainly red
karstteran wine.
Shopping:
Attractive local gifts include bobbin lace, crystal glass and
speciality wines.
Shopping
hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat 0800-1500.
Nightlife:
There is a wide selection of theatres, cinemas, casinos and nightclubs
in the larger towns. Ljubljana also has a good opera house and
the symphony orchestra plays regularly in the Big Hall of the
Cultural and Congress Centre.
Social Conventions: Shaking hands is the normal form
of greeting. Usual European social conventions apply and informal
dress is widely acceptable. Smoking is prohibited on public transport,
in cinemas, theatres, public offices and in waiting rooms.
Tipping:
Ten per cent is generally expected in hotels, restaurants and
for taxis.
Climate:
Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters (snowfalls
in the Alps). Mediterranean climate on the coast.
Required
clothing: Mediumweight clothing and heavy overcoats in
winter; lightweight clothing and raincoats for the summer, particularly
for the higher Alpine north.
Currency:
Slovene Tolar (SIT) = 100 stotins. Notes are in denominations
of SIT10,000, 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins
are in denominations of SIT10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50 stotins.
Currency
exchange: The Tolar is fully convertible within Slovenia,
but visitors are advised to exchange surplus amounts to the currency
of their choice before leaving Slovenia, as it is not generally
exchangeable elsewhere. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at
banks and some hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations, tourist
agencies and exchange bureaux.
Credit
& debit cards: American Express, MasterCard, EuroCard
and Visa are accepted at upmarket establishments; elsewhere cash
is preferred. Credit cards can be used to get cash advances from
banks.
Travellers
cheques: Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange
rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques
in Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Banking
hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1400-1700. Some branches
open Sat 0830-1200 for payments and withdrawals.
