Slovenia

SAFETY: excellent
The country is generally considered safe. No particular risks are reported other than petty crime (suburbs, large cities...). The country lies in an area of high seismic risk (the Karst).

TRANSPORT: good
The transport system, fairly modern and extending across the whole country (air, rail, bus, tram, taxi, ferries), makes it possible to reach any destination. Well connected and easily reached from Italy and neighbouring countries by car, air, rail, bus and ferry.

Main airports: Ljubljana (Brnik), Maribor, Portorož.

Main ports: Koper.

ACCOMMODATION: good
Slovenia has a good choice of accommodation of various kinds, categories and prices. The international hotel classification applies (one to five stars), and there are also farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels and campsites, spa and wellness centres. The choice of restaurants is fairly varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Slovenia – Location: Central Europe. Borders: Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the east, Croatia to the south and east, the Adriatic Sea to the south-west – Time zone: UTC+1, the same as Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 20,000 sq km – Capital: Ljubljana – Population: 2,009,000 – Religion: 57.8% Catholic, 2.4% Muslim, 2.3% Orthodox, 27.4% other religions, 10.1% non-religious – Languages: Slovenian, Italian in the border areas and in Ljubljana, Hungarian in the north-east; English and German widely understood – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: euro– Credit cards: the major cards are generally accepted.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V and 50 Hz (as in Italy) – Sockets: two-pin type, bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: identity card valid for foreign travel. There are no restrictions on personal luggage (Schengen) – Driving: Italian driving licence – Car: Italian third-party insurance is sufficient for Italian vehicles.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00386 – GSM: coverage across the whole country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Mobitel, SI.MOBIL, T-2 and Tusmobil – Internet: fairly widespread and available throughout the country – Web domain: .si – Emergency numbers:
ambulance/fire brigade 112; police 113; roadside assistance 1987.

RULES, LAWS AND CUSTOMS: the production, possession, purchase and dealing of drugs are punishable by one to 10 years' imprisonment. Offences against the person and against minors carry penalties similar to those under Italian law. Homosexuality is legal and same-sex partnerships are legally recognised. The age of consent is 15.

HEALTH: the country's healthcare is good and medicines are readily available. Italian citizens travelling temporarily who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) receive the care provided by the local public health service.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1-2 January, New Year; 8 February, Prešeren Day, the Slovenian Culture Day; Easter Sunday and Easter Monday; 27 April, Day of Uprising Against Occupation; 1 and 2 May, Labour Day; 25 June, Statehood Day; 15 August, Assumption; 31 October, Reformation Day; 1 November, Day of Remembrance of the Dead; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, Independence Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 8.00-18.00, Sat 8.00-12.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 9.00-12.00, 14.00-17.00 (some also open Sat 8.00-12.00) – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00 – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: three climate zones: the north-west, with an Alpine climate and abundant rainfall, cold winters and mild summers; the coastal area, with a typically Mediterranean climate, warm sunny days for much of the year and mild winters despite the bora (a cold wind that sometimes blows violently); and the eastern area, with a continental climate, cold winters and hot summers.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy and Consulate of Slovenia
Via Leonardo Pisano 10 – 00197 Rome – Tel. 06 80914310/80914311 – Fax 06 8081471 – E-mail: vri@ gov.si

Consulates
Via San Giorgio 1– 30123 Trieste– Tel. 040 307855– Fax 040 308266– E-mail: kts@mzz-dkp.gov.si
Galleria Buenos Aires 1 – 20124 Milan – Tel. 02 29405910
Via Archimede 167 – 00197 Rome – Tel. 06 8091431

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN SLOVENIA

Embassy of Italy

Snežniška ulica 8 – 1000 Ljubljana – Tel. 00386 1 4262194/4262320/4258659 – Fax 00386 1 4253302 – Web: www.amblubiana.esteri.it – E-mail: segretaria.lubiana@esteri.it

Consulate General
Riva Belvedere 2 – 6000 Koper – Tel. 00386 5 6273747/9 – Fax 00386 5 6273746 – Web: www.conscapodistria.esteri.it – E-mail: consgen.capodistria@siol.net