Slovenia - Eastern Europe - page 650

documentation at all times. Gas stations are ubiquitous; you can pay for gas using
most credit cards. Visit the website of the Automobile Association of Slovenia
(www.amzs.si) for information about traffic and details of what to do in emergencies.
This is also a good place to get the lowdown on Slovenia's complicated parking rules;
you can also call their Information Center ( & 01/530-5300 or 031-646-464). For
road emergencies, call & 1987; you'll get immediate roadside assistance and a towing
service if necessary. For up-to-date road condition information, call & 01/518-8518.
BY TRAIN Slovenia's train network is fairly extensive and reliable; it's also fairly
cheap. Intercity (“IC”) trains are faster than potni s ki, or slow trains, which stop at
every backwater village. English timetables are available at www.slo-zeleznice.si. Usu-
ally you'll be able to purchase tickets for domestic journeys at the station just before
departure. Ticketing staff is incredibly helpful.
BY BUS Buses are slightly more expensive than trains, but the network is more
extensive, allowing access to more remote destinations; they're also more frequent
(except at weekends in some areas). Buses are operated by a number of local compa-
nies, and the larger towns have stations with computerized booking systems.
BY BIKE Slovenes love cycling and it's possible to rent bikes in most towns for
countryside exploration. Cycling is also popular within cities and towns; in Ljubljana,
where parking is problematic and distances are quite short, bikes are definitely the eas-
iest and most economical way of getting around. Don't ride on highways.
TIPS ON ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations range from average to superb. There's a five-star classification sys-
tem loosely reflecting the quality of hotels, but it certainly doesn't give a clear indica-
tion of price, which is dependent on demand. June through August is considered peak
vacation season, when you should reserve accommodations well in advance, especially
on the coast; the exception to this is the ski resorts that fill up between December and
February.
To avoid high hotel costs, consider staying at a penzion or a small, family-run hotel;
these might be referred to as gosti sc e . There are an increasing number of upper-end
establishments, particularly in resort towns, spas, and in the capital. The country's
hostels are among the very best in Europe.
TIPS ON DINING
Generally, you'll be choosing to eat in either a restavracija (restaurant) or a gostilna,
which is more like a tavern with down-to-earth atmosphere. If there's an accommoda-
tions attached to the tavern, it will probably be called a gosti s ce, making it a real “inn.”
Okrep c evalnice are snack bars where you can get in-between fillers or light meals. Meat
(including horse) and fish feature heavily on the Slovene menu, and—depending on
where you are—the cuisine shows some Austrian, Hungarian, or Italian influences; in
Ljubljana there are a wide range of international dining establishments. Note: Like
Italy, many restaurants in Slovenia charge a “bread and cover” charge—in short, a 1 € -

€

($1.25-$3.75) cover charge (added to each bill) that you must pay for the mere
privilege of sitting at the table. We have referred to this as “cover charge” in the din-
ing sections of this chapter.
TOURS & TRAVEL AGENTS
Based in London, Slovenija Pursuits (www.slovenijapursuits.co.uk) arranges reliable
all-inclusive trips to Slovenia.

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