Slovenia - Eastern Europe - page 648

2 Planning Your Trip to Slovenia
VISITOR INFORMATION
The Slovenian Tourist Board (Dunajska cesta 156, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; & 386/
1/589-1840; fax [phone]) is incredibly organized, pitching every aspect of the
country on its excellent website (www.slovenia.info), from which you can download or
order a dozen different brochures.
U.S. travelers can also contact the Slovenian Tourist Office (345 E. 12th St., New
York NY 10003; & 212/358-9689; [e-mail]). In the U.K.,
travelers should contact the Slovenian Tourist Office (New Barn Farm, Tadlow, Roys-
ton, Hertfordshire, SG8 OEP; & 0870-225-5305 ).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS & CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand do not presently
require visas for stays of up to 90 days. Check the Foreign Ministry website (www.
gov.si/mzz) for any updates on visa and entry requirements. Visitors to Slovenia are
exempt from Customs duty on items intended for personal use; additionally you may
import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 liters of wine, 1 liter of spirits as well as 50 grams
of perfume or .25 liters of toilet water. Visit http://carina.gov.si if you have any queries
in this regard. There are no restrictions on cash brought into the country.
MONEY
Until the end of 2006, the local currency was the Slovenian Tolar, or SIT; by midyear
it was pegged at about 239 SIT to 1

€

. Slovenia started using the euro as of January
2007, although nearly everyone displayed both currencies for some time already, and
Slovenes have been familiar with relevant values for quite some time. Exchange facil-
ities are widely available, as are ATMs and credit card facilities; you can swipe your
card almost anywhere, including at toll road pay points and gas stations.
WHEN TO GO
Slovenia is wonderful all year round, enjoying a mix of Alpine, continental, and
Mediterranean climates. In winter, the Julian Alps are ideal for skiing and snowboard-
ing. Be wary midsummer, however; in July, Slovenes take a break from everyday life
and head for the coast (of Croatia, mostly). So while it's a great time to see the old
towns in the east, the capital is rather quiet, and the coast terribly crowded.
HOLIDAYS
Slovenian public holidays are: New Year's Day (Jan 1); Pre s eren Day (Feb 8); Day of
Uprising Against Occupation (Apr 27); Easter Day and Easter Monday; Labor Day
(May 1, 2); Statehood Day (June 25); Assumption (Aug 15); Reformation Day (Oct
31); Remembrance Day (Nov 1); Christmas Day (Dec 25); and Independence Day
(Dec 26).
GETTING THERE
BY PLANE Slovenia's national carrier, Adria Airways (www.adria.si), has regularly
scheduled flights from 19 European cities. Your best option for a reasonably seamless
flight from North America or Australasia is Air France (www.airfrance.com), via Paris,
which has flights from most major cities, and up to four daily flights to Ljubljana with
its short-haul carrier, Régional. Flight time from Paris is about an hour. It's also worth
checking out flights with Austrian Airlines (www.aua.com) and Lufthansa