Information about Slovenia in Ukrainian. General information about Slovenia

The Ukrainian language has gone through many periods in its development. There was a time when it was banned, they refused to recognize it as a full-fledged language. But, despite all these difficulties, he survived and continues to develop. Today it is one of the most used languages ​​in Eastern Europe.

1. The Ukrainian language belongs to the East Slavic subgroup of the Slavic group of the Indo-European language family. Ukrainian is spoken by approximately 41-45 million people. From a lexical point of view, Belarusian, Slovak and are considered the closest to the Ukrainian language.

2. The founder of the literary Ukrainian language is traditionally called I.P. Kotlyarevsky. His most famous literary work is the Aeneid. Translated into the Little Russian language by I. Kotlyarevsky", or simply "Aeneid", the first parts of which were published in 1798. Its significance lies in the fact that it was the first work written in the modern literary Ukrainian language. In addition, the work recorded a large amount of ethnographic and everyday vocabulary of its time. At the same time, Kotlyarevsky was often criticized for the fact that the Ukrainian language, at his suggestion, was often used for works of the "low" genre and was perceived as not too literary.

3. There is a version that the famous melody Summertime by George Gershwin (George Gershwin) from the opera "Porgy and Bess" was written under the influence of the Ukrainian lullaby "Oh, sleep around vicons." The composer could well hear this and other Ukrainian folk songs at the concerts of the Ukrainian National Choir conducted by Oleksandr Koshyts.

4. The most frequently used letter in the Ukrainian language is the letter "p", but the letter "f", on the contrary, sounds the least. Most words that begin with "f" are borrowed from other languages.

5. The most frequently translated literary work in Ukrainian - it was translated into 147 languages ​​- is the poem "Testament" ("Zapovit") by Taras Shevchenko.

6. The Ukrainian language is rich in synonyms. And the word “biti” (“beat”) has the most synonyms - there are 45 of them, according to the “Short dictionary of synonyms in Ukrainian language”.

7. Palindromes in the Ukrainian language are not so common, the words "rotator" and "tartrate" are considered the longest. And the longest palindromic phrase is “I am carrying a caterpillar” (“I am carrying a caterpillar”).

8. The longest word in Ukrainian is “dichlorodiphenyltrichloromethylmethane”. The name of this chemical term, which contains 30 letters.

9. There is a letter in the Ukrainian alphabet that has steadfastly withstood a real struggle for survival. This letter is "g". With the advent of Soviet power, it was thrown out of the alphabet, considering it a kind of manifestation of nationalism. Only in 1989 did she return to her rightful place in the alphabet, next to the letter "G".

10. In the modern language, according to the dictionary of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, there are approximately 256 thousand words.

1st century BC e. The advent of the Romans.

6th century n. e. The advent of the Slavs

8th century The region is under the rule of the Franks. Slovenes begin to accept Christianity.

9th century The region is under the rule of the Bavarian dukes.

13th century Coastal cities are under the Venetian protectorate.

1335 The interior regions of Slovenia come under the rule of the Habsburgs.

XV-XVI centuries The armies of the Ottoman Empire invade the Balkans. Defensive fortresses are being built in Slovenia. There are peasant uprisings.

1797 Fall of the Venetian Empire. Coastal cities come under the rule of the Habsburgs.

1809 Slovenia is part of the Illyrian provinces of Napoleon. Ljubljana becomes the capital.

1814 Fall of Napoleon. Slovenia is again in the hands of the Habsburgs.

1918 Fall of Austria-Hungary. The hinterland of Slovenia becomes part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Coastal regions go to Italy.

1941 Hitler declares war on Yugoslavia. Nazi troops enter Slovenia.

1945 Tito creates the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Slovenia is one of the six Yugoslav republics.

1980 After the death of Tito in Yugoslavia, presidential rotation is introduced.

1980s Economic crisis. Slovenia and Croatia refuse to finance the poorer republics. Milosevic comes to power in Belgrade. There is a rise in nationalism in Serbia.

1989 The fall of the Berlin Wall marks the collapse of the Eastern Bloc and communist ideals in Europe.

1990 In Slovenia, as a result of elections, a non-communist government was formed.

1991 Slovenia declares independence. Ten Day War with Yugoslavia.

1992 The country receives recognition from the European Union and the UN.

1993 Slovenia becomes a member of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

2004 Slovenia, along with nine other countries, becomes a member of the European Union.

2007 The country accepts the euro.

2010 According to the results of the referendum, the issue of the border with Croatia along the Gulf of Piran is transferred to the international tribunal.

2011 The fall of the government. Politicians are accused of economic incompetence.

Sports and active recreation

Picturesque mountains, beautiful lakes, mountain rivers - all this makes Slovenia a great place for lovers of nature and active sports. Various companies are involved in the organization of outdoor activities, including:

• 3head Adventures (Ljubljanska 1, Bled, tel.: 04-168-31-84, www.3glav-adventures.com)- cycling, hiking, rafting, kayaks and canoes;
• Alpinsport (Ribcev Laz 53, Bohinj, tel.: 04-572-34-86, www.alpinsport.si)- hiking, biking, rafting, kayaks and canoes.

water sports (rafting, kayaks and boats) the following companies are involved:

• "Agency K2M" (Pionirska 3, Doljenske Toplice, tel.: 07-306-68-30, www.k2m.si),
• Alpe Sport Vancar (Trg golobarskih zrtev 20, Bovec, tel.: 05-389-63-50, www.bovecsport.com);
• Bovec Rafting Team (Bovec, men.: 05-388-61-28, www.bovec-rafting-team.com);
• Soca Rafting (Trg golobarskih zrtev 48, Bovec, men.: 05-389-62-00, www.socarafting.si);
• X point (Stresova 1, Kobarid, men.: 05-388-53-08, www.xpoint.si).

Skis

Skiing in Slovenia is very popular - both mountain and ordinary. Snow in the country lies from early December to late March. There are three ski championships in Slovenia: the men's in Kranjska Gora, the women's in Maribor and the ski jumping championship in Planica, near Kranjska Gora. Elan Co. (www.elansnowboards.com, www.elanskis.com) manufactures world-class skis and snowboards. Go to www.slovenia.info and download the Slovenia Skiing booklet.

Here are the main ski resorts in Slovenia:

• Kranjska Gora (www.kranjska-gora.si)- the largest and most popular ski resort. The city is located on the border of the Triglav National Park in the northwestern part of the country. An ideal place for beginners and not the most advanced skiers. The resort is popular with families with children.
• Pohorje (www.pohorje.si)- the second largest resort in Slovenia, located near Maribor. The illuminated 5 km slope is considered the longest in Europe.
• Rogla (www.rogla.si)- a ski resort for skiers of all skill levels, as well as for beginners and families with children.
• Close to Bovec (www.boveckanin.si) Kanin Ski Center is located. This is the highest ski resort (height 2300 m) where the season lasts the longest.
• Vogel (www.vogel.si) located above the lake Bohinj. You can get here by cable car from Ukanets. A very picturesque place.
• Krvavets (www.rtc-krvavec.si) located near Kranj and Ljubljana. Residents of the capital love to come here. There are almost no conditions for accommodation in the skiing area, so most tourists are accommodated in the valley.

Hiking

Hiking in Slovenia is second only to skiing in popularity. More than 7,000 km of hiking trails have been laid in the country, marked with a white circle in a red circle. Usually such a sign is painted on stones. There are 165 mountain huts in Slovenia, owned by the Alpine Association of Slovenia (www.pzs.si). In such huts you can spend the night in modest conditions, but under a roof. Several UK travel agencies offer hiking trails in the Triglav National Park. Contact Naturetrek (Tel: 01962-733-051, www.naturetrek.co.uk); Rambler's Holidays (Tel: 01707-331-133, www.ramblersholidays.co.uk).

A bike

Slovenia is one of the best places in Europe for mountain biking. Many tourists come here to cycle through the Triglav National Park and the Soča Valley. The Slovenian Tourist Board publishes a booklet "Biking in Slovenia", which can be found at tourist offices or on the official website. Several UK travel agencies offer bike tours in Slovenia: "Skedaddle" (Tel: 0191-265-1110, www.skedaddle.co.uk); "2 Wheel Tracks" (Tel: 0845-612-6106, www.2wheeltreks.co.uk).

Rafting, kayaking and canyoning

Rifts and rapids on the river Soča make it one of the most beautiful and difficult rivers in Europe for rafting and kayaking. The main centers are Bovec and Ko-barid. A good place for water sports is the Krka River in the northeastern part of the country. The river is quite calm, so it is best for true thrill-seekers to go to Socha. The valley of the river Soča is a great place for canyoning, and the main center of this sport is Bovec. The routes are designed for tourists of varying degrees of preparedness - from beginners to professionals.

Fishing

Best Fishing Spots - Soča River (it is better to stay in Kobarid), Lake Bohinj in the Triglav National Park and the Krka River in the southeast. Slovenian Fisheries Research Institute (Zavod za Ribistvo Slovenije; Zupanciceva 9, Ljubljana; tel.: 01-244-34-05; www.zzrs.si) will give you all the information you need about fishing seasons and obtaining permits.

Sailing

Slovenia is a great place to practice sailing in the Adriatic. There are three well-equipped yacht clubs on the coast: Portorož, Koper and Izola. All of them have been awarded the European Blue Flag for safety, cleanliness and respect for the environment. Several companies offer rental of sailing yachts. If you do not have a license, you can take a yacht with a skipper. Contact Portoroz Marina (Cesta solinarjev 8, tel.: 05-676-12-00; www.marinap.si); Isola Marina (Tomaziceva 10, men.: 05-662-54-00, www.marinaizola.com); Koper Marina (Kopalisko nabrezje 5, tel.: 05-662-61-00, www.marina-koper.si). Two companies: "Elan" (www.elan-yachts.com) and Seaway (www.seaway.si), produce world-class yachts.

Golf

The Slovenian Tourist Board publishes the booklet "Golf Courses in Slovenia", which can be found at tourist offices or on the website. There are nine fields in the country. The oldest and most beautiful course of the Bled Golf Club www.golfbled.com on Lake Bled. The nine-hole lake course was built in 1938, and the luxurious 18-hole King's Course was built by Donald Harradin in 1972. Bookings must be made at least three days in advance. Field in Lipica (www.lipica.si) rebuilt in 2007 with 18 holes. Arboretum Golf Course (www.golfarboretum.si) for 18 holes adjoins the Volchiy Potok arboretum near Kamnik. Golf Grad Mokrice (www.terme-catez.si) is an 18-hole course located in the park and forest near the Mokrice castle in the Krka river valley. An 18-hole course with interesting water traps is located in Ptuj (www.golf-ptuj.si). New 18-hole course next to the Moravske Toplice spa complex in the north-eastern part of the country - Livada (www.terme3000.si). A good nine-hole course is located on the banks of the Krka River near the Otočec Castle (www.terme-krka.si). A nine-hole course among the picturesque vineyards of Slovenske Konjice between Celje and Maribor - Zlati Gric (www.zlati-gric.si). And another good nine-hole course near the resort complex Terme Olimia, 35 km east of Celje near the Croatian border - Podchetrtek (www.terme-olimia.com).

The virgin nature of Slovenia makes this country an ideal place for horseback riding. There are several high-class riding schools in the country, and the most famous of them is Lipice (tel.: 05-739-15-80; www.lipica.org). Here you can take private lessons or take an organized tour. The Ranc School is located on Lake Bohinj. Mrcina (tel.: 04-179-02-97 (mobile) www.ranc-mrcina.com), where there are Icelandic ponies and horses of the Lipizzaner breed. Another good place for horse riding enthusiasts is Pristava Lepena (tel.: 05-388-99-00, www.pristava-lepena.com). This is the Triglav National Park, the valley of the Lepena River. Lipizzaner horses are kept here and riders of any skill level are welcome. Group excursions are also organized.

Horseback riding can also be done in the agro-tourism centers.

Beaches and swimming

Slovenia has only 47 km of coastline, so Slovenian beaches are very crowded in the summer. Many Slovenes prefer to relax in neighboring Croatia. Beware of promises from hotels regarding their own beach. Most often it is just a concrete platform from which you can go down to the sea. The most organized beach is in Portorož, where sun loungers and umbrellas are installed on a strip of imported sand. The best natural beach is located between Piran and Fiesa, as well as in Strunjan, just north of Fiesa. There is a nudist beach in Strunjan. The water temperature is ideal for swimming from June to mid-October, and those who are especially hardened are happy to start swimming earlier and finish much later.

Spa

During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, spa towns were very popular with aristocrats. Today there are 15 such spas in Slovenia, all of them are members of the Slovenian Spa Council (www.spa-slovenia.com) and into the national health system.

But such complexes should not be considered purely recreational. Usually guests of the resort can undergo a lot of beauty treatments, relax in the pools and baths. The Slovenian Tourist Board publishes two booklets: "Wellness - Tailor-made for You" and "Health Resorts". Both booklets can be found at the tourist offices or on the website.

Purchases

European brands are quickly conquering Slovenia - and this is not surprising, given the pace of development of the Slovenian economy. However, for most foreigners, the most pleasant shopping is visiting local markets, where, in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, you can buy honey and dry herbs for cooking and brewing. The largest and most colorful markets are in Ljubljana and Maribor.

In Ljubljana, expensive boutiques and antique shops are located on Mestni and Stari squares. Fashionable clothes can be bought on the pedestrian Chopova Street next to the Triple Bridge. The main shopping street in Maribor is Gosposka in the Old Town, and in Koper - Chevilyarska, also in the Old Town. The BTC City shopping center is located 3 km northeast of the center of Ljubljana. It includes more than 400 shops, a microbrewery, a multiplex cinema, a sports hall and the Atlantis water park.

Unusual souvenirs can be brought from Slovenia: herbal teas and honey from the monks from the Stichna monastery, fruit vodka - viljamovka and slivovka from the Pleterje monastery, handmade lace from Idrija and crystal from Rogashka Slatina. High-quality equipment for sports is offered by the company "Elan" (skis and snowboards) and "Planica" (sports and hiking shoes).

Local wines can be bought directly from the vineyards and wine cellars. The Tourist Board has developed several wine roads (vinske ceste), which are laid between the cellars open to the public. At the tasting, you will be offered several of their own wines, ranging from dry to sweet. Raw smoked ham is used as an appetizer. (prsut), cheese and homemade bread. Purchased wine can be packed in a gift cardboard box. We advise you to call the cellars at least a day in advance to clarify the time of the visit. The cellars listed below are open to the public.

Northeast

• Vinska klet (Trstenjakova 6, Ptuj, tel.: 02-787-98-10; reservations must be made in advance);
• Vinag Wine Cellars (Trg svobode 3, Maribor, tel.: 02-220-81-11, www.vinag.si);
• Hlebec (Kog 181, Kog (on Jerusalem wine road), tel.: 02-713-70-60, www.hlebec-kog.net).

Northwest

• Vinoteka Brda (Dobrovo Castle, Grajska 10, Dobrovo (16 km northwest of Nova Gorica) tel.: 05-395-92-10, www.vinotekabrda.si);
• Goriska Brda (Zadruzna cesta 9, Dobrovo, tel.: 05-331-01-00, www.klet-brda.com).

Southeast

• Vino Graben (Kumrovska 6, Bizeljsko, tel.: 07-495-10-59, www.vino-graben.com).

Nightlife and cafes

There are a lot of students in Ljubljana, so it is not surprising that the nightlife in the city is in full swing. The most popular bars and cafes are located in the center. In summer, tables line up along the Tsankarya embankment. There are a lot of great bars in the City and Old Squares in the Old Town. Most Popular: Masek (Krojaska 5)- an old stylish cafe-bar on the embankment near the Triple Bridge; "Galerija" (Mestni trg 5)- modern cocktail bar with Turkish style interior; Fraga (Mestni trg 15)- a bar with a minimalist interior, decorated with works of modern art; "movie" (Mestni trg 2)- a small, sophisticated bar with candles and an excellent wine list; Makalonca (Hribarjevo nabrezje 19)- a lively bar with DJs, house, funk and soul music, where in summer you can sit on an outdoor terrace overlooking the river at a table with candles.

The best dance clubs in the Slovenian capital: "Tor" (Tomsiceva 2, www.klubtop.si) on the top floor of the Nama building (great music, fun atmosphere and great view of the city) and "Bachus" (Kongresni trg 3, www.bachus-center.com)- a combination of restaurant, bar and dance club on three floors. Jazz lovers should visit the Gajo Jazz bar (Beethovnova 8, www.jazzclubgajo.com) where local and foreign musicians perform. And rock lovers should go to the Orto bar (Grabloviceva 1, www.orto-bar.com) where live music concerts are held. Youth alternative atmosphere reigns in the student club "K4" and club "Metelkova" (Metelkova, www.metelkova.org)- a real art center.

In Maribor, we recommend visiting the cozy Irish pub "Patricks J&B Pub" (Postna 10, between Main and Slomskaya squares). On Fridays and Saturdays this place is open until 2 am. Best Jazz Club - "Jazz Klub Satchmo" (Strossmayerjeva 6, www.jazz-club.si). Trust Club (Gosposvetska cesta 84, www.trust.si)- a cafe-restaurant during the day and a lively dance club in the evenings.

In the summer, fun is in full swing on the coast until the morning. The busiest place is Isola. If you just want something to drink, check out Teater Café (Stjenkova 1) in Piran near the port or in the Loggia cafe (Titov trg 1), which is located in the Venetian loggia on the main square of the city of Koper.

Cultural life

You can listen to classical music in Ljubljana at the Slovenian Philharmonic (Kongresni trg 10, tel.: 01-241-08-00, www.filharmonija.si). The capital also has an opera and ballet theater (Zupanciceva 1, tel.: 01-241-17-00, www.opera.si). Concerts, performances, dance performances, art exhibitions and films are shown at the Tsankaryev House (Trg republike, tel: 01-241-71-00, www.cd-cc.si). You can watch art-house movies in the cinema library (Miklosiceva 28, tel.: 01-547-15-80, www.kinoteka.si). In the student club "K4" (Kersnikova 4, www.klubk4.org) live music concerts and theatrical performances are often arranged.

In Maribor, you can watch a play or listen to an opera at the Slovenian National Theater (Slovensko narodno gledalisce, Slovenska ulica 27, tel.: 02-250-61-00; www.sng-mb.si). Koper also has a city theater (Verdijeva 3, tel.: 05-663-43-80; www.gledalisce-koper.si).

In summer, many Slovenian cities host cultural festivals. Highlights: Ljubljana Summer Festival (www.ljubljanafestival.si) and Lent Festival (www.maribor-pohorje.si) in Maribor.

Entertainment for children

Walks in the mountains, picnics, boating on the lakes, beach activities, visits to castles and caves will appeal to children. Children enjoy admiring the magnificent white Lipizzaners in Lipica, visiting the mercury mine in Idrija, riding miniature trains through the halls and tunnels of Postojna Cave, looking at stalactites and stalagmites. Many resort complexes have playgrounds for children, and water slides and waterfalls await children in water parks.

Holidays

local holidays

• January. The ski resort of Pohorje near Maribor is hosting the Women's World Championship.
• February. curentovanie (carnival) in Ptuj takes place ten days before Fat Tuesday.
• March. Ski jumping championship in Planica near Kranjska Gora.
• The end of May. Druga Godba Alternative Music Festival in Ljubljana.
• May June. Festival of Contemporary Theatrical Art Exodos, Ljubljana.
• June. Lent Festival - two weeks of music, dance and spectacle on the banks of the Drava in Maribor.
• June (weekend continues). Celebration of the festival on the medieval streets of Škofja Loka.
• June - mid-September. Summer Festival in Ljubljana - concerts and performances at various venues in the city.
• Mid June - mid August. Brezhitsky festival of early music. European musicians perform ancient and baroque music at Brežice Castle.
• Mid June. International rowing regatta on Lake Bled.
• End of June. Idrija hosts a ten-day lace festival. Exhibitions and various events are organized throughout the city.
• End of June - beginning of July. Bled International Violin Festival (two weeks).
• Early July. Jazz Festival in Ljubljana - three days of world-class jazz music.
• Early July. The Rock Festival in Otočec is the largest open-air festival in Slovenia. The festival takes place over three days at the Otočec Castle near Nova Mesto. The Asian Dub Foundation and Henry Rollins once performed here.
• Mid July. The beer and flower festival in Laško lasts five days.
• August. Knightly tournament in Predjama Castle.
• Mid August - mid September. The Tartini Festival in Piran commemorates the violinist and composer of the 18th century. Giuseppe Tartini.
• Beginning of September. Stara Trta - grape harvest festival, Maribor.
• End of october. Ljubljana Marathon.
• 11th of November. Martinovane (Saint Martin's Day)- the festival of young wine takes place throughout the country, especially bright festivities in Maribor.

Public holidays

• January 1-2 New Year
• February 8 Slovenian cultural holiday
• April 27 Resistance Day May 1-2 Labor Day
• June 25 Slovenia Day
• August 15 Assumption of the Mother of God
• October 31 Reformation Day
• November 1 All Saints Day
• December 25 Christmas
• December 26 Independence Day

Holidays with variable date

• Easter
• Easter Monday

Food and drink

Slovenian cuisine, like the history of this country, is a wonderful mixture of Austro-Hungarian and Venetian cuisine.

You will also be offered a Wiener Schnitzel (Dunajski zrezek), and goulash, and raw smoked ham (prsut) and risotto (rizota), and many purely Slovenian dishes, such as sausage (clobasa) with sauerkraut (sour zelje), blood sausage (krvavica) with wheat or corn polenta (zganci) or dumplings (cmokie).

Slovenia is a small country, so almost everywhere the cuisine is the same. Fish and seafood are more often found on the menu along the coast, and the best trout is served in restaurants located on the banks of lakes or rivers.

Italians often go to Slovenia just to have lunch or dinner, which speaks to the high quality of Slovenian restaurants.

Where to eat

To feel the local atmosphere and try something close to home cooking, go to taverns (gostilna) or inns (guest) where you can not only eat but also stay. The best of these establishments have a cozy, old-fashioned, informal atmosphere. The menu is usually rather modest, but the dishes are always excellent. At lunchtime, many restaurants will offer you something like a set lunch. (dnevno kosilo), which includes three courses: soup, main course and salad. If you choose to dine in a restaurant (restavracija), then the atmosphere there will be more formal, the menu will be quite international, the prices will be much higher, and the visitors will almost entirely be foreigners.

To taste true Slovenian cuisine, head to the agritourism center (turisticna kmetija) where you are guaranteed pure home-cooked meals prepared with the freshest local produce. Most of these establishments offer homemade wine, olive oil, cheese and sausages, as well as freshly baked bread and seasonal vegetables - asparagus in spring (sparglji) and mushrooms in autumn (gobe) and radicchio salad (radic). We also recommend visiting restored old farms in the countryside. It is interesting, you can spend the night there and even go horseback riding. For more information, please visit www.slovenia-tourism.si/touristfarms. Remember that you need to call the agritourism centers at least a day in advance so that they have time to prepare for your arrival.

We also advise you to visit the recently appeared establishments of "slow food". Here the focus is on old recipes and the highest quality products. Dishes are served slowly. Lunch usually consists of eight or more courses, each served with a special wine.

There are few restaurants serving ethnic cuisine in Slovenia. Most of them are concentrated in Ljubljana. The capital has both Chinese and Mexican restaurants. The most versatile dish that suits everyone, and especially children, is pizza. (pica). In most cities and resorts there is at least one pizzeria whose products are not inferior to similar Italian establishments.

Also check out the grill and snack bars. (bife or okrepcevalnica), which serves cheap, but sometimes overly fatty Balkan dishes - burgers (pljeskavice) and meatballs (cevapcici), as well as Balkan pies stuffed with cheese or minced meat (burek).

"Slow food" in Slovenia

The "slow food" movement was born in 1986 in opposition to "fast food" - fast food. When next to the Spanish Steps of the XVIII century. McDonald's opened in Rome, many Italians were horrified by such a close proximity of dubious modernity to a magnificent monument. As a result of national protests, the fast food restaurant changed its facade, but not the menu: it still served hamburgers and chips. One of the protesters, journalist Carlo Petrini, gathered a group of friends who shared his leftist beliefs and founded the "slow food" movement. Unhurried gatherings at the table, accompanied by savoring food prepared according to old recipes, have become a symbol of the movement. Supporters of the movement advocated the preservation of local recipes and the use of local products.

Slovenia joined this movement in 1995 and today there are several very famous slow food restaurants in the country. Pay attention to the sign with the image of a snail. The mass production of semi-finished products and the standards of supermarkets in Slovenia do not meet the requirements of Western countries, and this is due to the long years spent by the country as part of Yugoslavia.

When to eat

Breakfast (zajtrk) in hotels it is usually a buffet with cold appetizers. The best places offer yoghurt, muesli, fruit, ham, cheese, boiled eggs, sausage, bread, butter, jam and honey. If your accommodation does not provide breakfast, you can always have a cup of coffee in the cafe, although full breakfasts are not offered everywhere.

Dinner (kosilo) usually served from 12.00 to 14.00. In the busiest resort towns, restaurants are open all day. If you are busy sightseeing, you can limit yourself to a light snack, and on a hike - have a picnic.

Dinner (vecerja) served from 19.00 to 22.00, but there are no strict rules. Some restaurants on the coast stay open until late in the summer, while restaurants in the mountains close quite early. (nothing works in Bohinj at 22.00).

Remember that most restaurants are closed one day a week to give staff the day off. In working-class cities like Ljubljana, the day off usually falls on Sunday - most city dwellers leave the city anyway. In resorts, restaurants are usually closed on Mondays.

What to eat

There are a lot of restaurants in Ljubljana, and you can try absolutely everything here - from traditional Slovenian dishes to stylish dishes of modern fusion cuisine. There are several surprisingly good fish restaurants in the capital, where fresh fish is delivered daily from the coast.

But to try the best seafood, you should go to some seaside town in the southwestern part of the country. Try the octopus salad (hobotnica v solati), mussels (skoljke) or risotto (rizota). Great pleasure to taste fresh fish on the grill (na zaru)- the best sea bass (branchin) or sea bream (orada). Salad and local white wine malvasia are most often served with fish. Try asparagus and artichokes in spring, and truffles in autumn.

The Karst region is famous for its raw smoked ham (prsut), reminiscent of Parma, a soup of beans, sauerkraut and barley (jota) and full-bodied red wine "Teran". If you went to the Karst from Ljubljana, then we advise you to stop in the mining town of Idrija to taste a magnificent old dish - ravioli with potatoes and marjoram (zlikrofi).

In the northwest of the Soča Valley, fishermen and gourmets enjoy great trout (postrv) from Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park.

The farther into the mountains, the simpler and denser the dishes become. Hearty peasant dishes consist of cabbage, beans and potatoes with sausages (clobasa), blood sausage (krvavica) and polenta (zganci). If you come in the right season, you can taste the game: pheasant (fazan), bear meat (medved), venison (srna) and hare (zajec), and forest mushrooms in autumn (gobe).

In the northeast and southeast, pork and chicken make up the bulk of the menu. You will be offered pork cutlets (zrezek), salami (salama) and ham (sunka) and also a turkey (puran) or goose (gos). The closer to the Hungarian border, the more often goulash appears on the menu (golaz).

desserts

The most common dessert is pancakes with walnuts, jam or chocolate. (palacinke), ice cream (sladled), rolls with nut or poppy seed filling (potica) and sweet dumplings (struklji).

Try the delicious cake with cream cheese, poppy seeds, walnuts and apples (prekmurska gibanica). This dish is prepared in the northeast of the country, but if you are lucky, you will find it in other regions of Slovenia as well.

What drink

Wine. Quality wines are produced in Slovenia (vino), most of which are consumed in the country itself. Export is practically non-existent. Wines are certified according to the place of origin (PGP). Wines produced in accordance with the wine-making traditions of certain regions are marked with the RTR mark.

On the coast, you must try white (belo) Malvasia wine, which is ideal for seafood. Red is (rdece) wine "Refoshk" goes well with meat dishes.

The tart red wine "Teran" is produced in the Karst region. It is made from the same grapes as "Refoshk", but these wines are not at all similar in taste, which is explained by the difference in climate and soil.

Semi-dry and semi-sweet white wines dominate in the northeast. Pay attention to Rennes Riesling, Lash Riesling, Traminets, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris (sivi pinot), pinot blanc (beli pinot) and sparkling wine "Lenin".

In the southeast, the most popular light pink purely Slovenian wine "Cvicek", which is made from a mixture of red and white grapes.

Wine can be ordered by the bottle or by the deciliter (deci)- the price in the menu is indicated accordingly. A regular glass holds 2 deciliters.

Beer. Beer (beer) served in mugs of 0.5 l or 0.3 l - veliko and malo, respectively. Favorite national brands are Lasko Zlatorog and Union. These are light varieties that are served chilled.

Strong alcohol. Fruit vodkas are very common in Slovenia (zganje). The most popular strong plum (slivovka) and slightly less strong pear (viljamovka) vodka. Sometimes vodka is sweetened with honey - medeno zganje.

Soft drinks. Drinking mineral water all over the country (mineral water), but not because tap water is not suitable for drinking, but for health reasons. Slovenian fruit juices (sok) very tasty and completely natural. Children love them very much. If you go to a cafe (kavarna), order coffee (kava). You will be offered strong espresso, cappuccino (kava's smetano) or tea (caj), which is often made from rose hips and served with lemon.

Accommodation

Hotels

Since Slovenia's independence, many previously mid-priced hotels have evolved into luxury and exclusive resorts and hotels for business travelers. A number of small family hotels also appeared.

The Slovenian Tourist Board evaluates the rating of hotels. Conditions in one- and two-star hotels are rather modest. Three-star hotels are quite comfortable, and the level of service in them is quite decent. Four-star hotels provide their guests with all kinds of amenities. The most expensive hotels are located in Portoroz on the Adriatic coast and in Bled, on the border of the Triglav National Park. Among the expensive hotels are castles Otočec and Mokrice.

In high season (July, August on the coast, Christmas and New Year in the ski resorts) prices are rising. If you stay more than three days, you can get a decent discount.

Private accommodation

In the tourist centers on the coast, as well as in Bled and Bohinj, you can find private accommodation at attractive prices. Conditions are usually quite decent - from rooms with a shared bathroom to comfortable apartments. Some travel agencies help you find accommodation in the private sector. If these services are not available, please contact local travel agencies.

tourist farms

To feel the true atmosphere of the Slovenian countryside, stay at the agritourism center (turisticna kmetija). This is an ideal place for families with children, as on such a farm people come into direct contact with nature. Most of these centers are located in beautiful places. Guests are served dishes prepared from local seasonal products. For more information, please visit www.slovenia.info. This service is especially common in the Triglav National Park, where several travel agencies organize bike tours.

Hostels

There are about 25 youth hostels in Slovenia (see: www.youth-hostel.si), and seven of them are members of the international association (www.hihostels.com). These hostels are located in Chrnomel, Koper, Kranjska Gora, Ljubljana, Maribor, Podchetrtek and Portoroz.

Most hostels are open all year round, but some are only open during the summer. Places are best booked in advance, especially in July and August. You can count on 10 euros per person.

We would like to mention one youth hostel - Celica (Metelkova 8, www.souhostel.com) in Ljubljana. The building was built in the 19th century. and served as a military prison. In 2003, artists and architects from all over Europe came to Ljubljana to remodel this building. It turned out 20 bedrooms - common and double. The hostel became such a success that they even began to arrange excursions here - daily at 14.00. It is not surprising that with such a reputation as a hostel, places here need to be booked in advance.

There are more than 30 small, well-equipped campsites in Slovenia. Most are located on the coast and in the mountains and are open from May to September. The best are Zlatorog on Lake Bohinj and Bled on Lake Bled. Camping Ljubljana Resort is located 4 km north of the city center in Jezice on the banks of the Sava River. Two campsites are designed for nudists: Camp Smlednik is located on Lake Zbile, 20 km north of Ljubljana on the road to Kranj, and Banovci Spa is located in Verzej, in the northeastern part of the country.

Camping outside organized areas is prohibited. For more information, please visit www.slovenia.info.

Travel budget

Prices in Slovenia are low by Western standards, but still significantly higher than in other countries of the former Eastern bloc, such as the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Accommodation. A standard double room with bath and breakfast in a five-star hotel will cost around 180 euros per night. The cost of a double room in two- and three-star hotels is about 60-80 euros.

Nutrition. A three-course dinner for two with a bottle of wine in a decent restaurant will cost about 50 euros. "Complex Lunch" (dnevno kosilo) in an ordinary cafe (gostilna) will cost about 10 euros per person.

The drinks. Alcohol in Slovenia is inexpensive. A bottle of beer in an ordinary tavern will cost about 2 euros, and a glass of good wine in a bar will cost 3 euros.

Entertainment. A ticket to a cinema or a chamber music concert costs about 5 euros, a ticket to a symphony concert - from 5 to 35 euros.

Public transport. Tickets for trains and buses are inexpensive. The bus fare in the city is about 1 euro. In taxis and mini-buses you will have to pay about 1 euro per kilometer.

Car rental. The cost of car rental per week starts from 300 euros, depending on the model and type of insurance. Gasoline costs about 1.25 euros per litre.

Car rental

There are offices of international and local car rental companies at Ljubljana Airport and in all major cities and resorts in Slovenia. Some companies allow you to use their cars for trips to Croatia and Bosnia. To rent a car, you must be over 21 years of age and have a valid driver's license. In large companies, a car can be booked via the Internet.

• Avantcar www.avantcar-slovenia.com
• www.avis.si
• www.budget.si
• Europcar www.europcar.si
• Hertz www.hertz.si
• www.si.sixt.com

clothing

In the summer in Slovenia you will need light cotton clothing, dark glasses and sunscreen, in the winter you will need jumpers, a warm coat, hat and gloves. Stock up on comfortable shoes, as the streets in most historic towns are cobbled. Sportswear is required for sports activities. In Ljubljana, as, indeed, in seaside resorts, you will need something elegant for high society evening life.

Crime and security

Slovenia is quite a safe country by Western standards. However, remember to use common sense. Store valuables in a safe place. To report a crime, call the police at 113.

Car driving

Rules and restrictions

Traffic in Slovenia is on the right. Speed ​​limits are 50 km/h in residential areas, 90 km/h on local roads, 100 km/h on highways and 130 km/h on highways. The police strictly enforce the speed limit, and fines are very high. The blood alcohol content is limited to 0.5 ppm. You should not use a mobile phone without a hands-free headset while driving - you can be fined. Seat belts must be fastened in both the front and rear seats of the vehicle. Children under 12 must sit in the back. The light must be on all the time, even during the day.

Roads

The roads in Slovenia are different - from modern highways to narrow mountain roads. Some roads are even closed in winter, for example on the Vrsic pass. The road network is constantly being improved and developed. Trails in Slovenia are paid. Cheaper to buy a subscription (vinjeta) for a week or a month. Such subscriptions are sold at the border and most major gas stations. Such a subscription is presented at the point of payment. A fee is also charged for the use of the Karavanke tunnel (between Slovenia and Austria).

24/7 roadside assistance is provided by the Automobile Association of Slovenia (tel.: 1987; www.amzs.si).

Embassy

The Russian Embassy in Slovenia is located in Ljubljana: Tomsiceva 9, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenja; tel: (+ 386-1) 425-68-75, 425-68-80; fax: (+ 386-1) 425-41-41; e-mail: [email protected]

Emergency Services

Police 113
Firemen 112
Ambulance 112

Arrival

By plane

Regular flights from Russia (direct and charter) to Ljubljana. The main airlines carrying passengers: Aeroflot, Adria Airways, Air France, Austrian Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, JAT Airways, Turkish Airlines, etc.

By train

Direct trains depart to Slovenia from Italy, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Germany. High-speed Eurocity trains run to Ljubljana from Zagreb (travel time 2 h 15 min), Venice (4 h), Vienna (4 h 10 min) and Munich (6 h 20 min).

Train tickets in Slovenia are inexpensive. But, although the railway is a fairly efficient mode of transport, the train is not available everywhere, so sometimes it is better to use the bus.

Information about national and international transportation can be obtained at Ljubljana Station (Kolodvorska 11, tel.: 01-291 33 32; www.slo-zeleznice.si).

By bus

Information about national and international transportation can be obtained at the Ljubljana bus station (Trg OF 4, 1000 Ljubljana, tel.: 1991 (call from Slovenia); www.ap-ljubljana.si).

By car

Trails connect Slovenia with neighboring countries - Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. Foreign vehicles from non-EU countries require an international green card to enter Slovenia, which can be purchased at the border.

Guides and excursions

Travel agency «Kompas» (www.kompas.net) offers organized bus tours around Slovenia, such as the seven-day Sights of Slovenia route.

Ljubljana Tourist Information Office (TIC) (Adamic-Lundrovo nabrezje 2, near the Triple Bridge, tel.: 01-306-12-15; www.visitljubljana.si) offers various excursions from Ljubljana. Buses leave on schedule from the square near the town hall. All tours cost 10 euros (for children under 12 years old - 5 euros) and lasts about 2 hours. You can take a walking tour and take the funicular (April - October 10.00, October - March 11.00), walking tour and tourist train ride (April - October 17.00), walking tour and boat ride (April - October 14.00), boat trip to the botanical garden (June - September only on Saturdays 16.00). There are discounts for groups.

The Tourist Office of Ljubljana also organizes excursions around the city and beyond - to the caves of Postojna, Bled, to the mountains and to the vineyards.

Information about excursions in other cities can be obtained from local tourist offices.

You can visit the Lipica stud farm, the Skocjan and Postojna caves only as part of an excursion group.

Health and medical care

Nothing threatens your health in Slovenia. Tap water is drinkable throughout the country. As in any country in Central Europe, if you develop a fever after being bitten by a tick, see a doctor immediately, as encephalitis may develop. In case of emergency, call an ambulance on tel.: 112.

Citizens of countries belonging to the European Union can receive emergency assistance free of charge if they have a European insurance policy, which can be obtained by mail or via the Internet.

24-hour pharmacies in major cities: Ljubljana: Prisojna ulica 7, tel.: 01-230-62-30. Maribor: Glavni trg 20, tel.: 02-229-47-40. Kran: Bleiweisova 8, tel.: 04-201-61-34. Novo Mesto: Kandijski cesta 1, tel.: 07-393-29-18.

Language

The Slovenian language belongs to the South Slavic group. The alphabet is Latin. Fortunately for foreign tourists, many young Slovenes speak English well, as well as Italian or German. Older people on the coast most often speak Italian, while in the northeast they speak German. On the coast, the cities have two names - Slovenian and Italian, which can confuse tourists: Koper, for example, is also called Kapodistria, and Piran - Pirano.

There are some differences in pronunciation. The letter "s" is read like "ts", "j" - like "y". In some words, the letter "V" is read as "y". Letters with gaps are read differently: “c” - “h”, “s” - “w”, “z” - “g”.

Cards

The Slovenian Tourist Board publishes a wonderful “Tourist Map of Slovenia”, which can be obtained free of charge at a travel agency or viewed on the website. In addition, local tourist centers always have maps of cities and regions. In the countryside you will find maps of local hiking trails.

Mass media

Slovenian newspapers and magazines are quite free and quite interesting.

The most popular national newspapers are Dnevnik and Delo (printed in Ljubljana), Vecer (in Maribor), "Primorske Novice" (in Koper). The most popular magazine, Mladina, has been published since 1943. Once it was a purely youth magazine, then this publication played an important role in Slovenia's struggle for independence, and the editor was even put on trial. The magazine remains a respected political and social publication even today.

The Slovenian Times, a newspaper for foreign businessmen and diplomats, is published every two weeks in English. Once every two months, the magazine "Ljubljana Life" is published, which tells about the bars, restaurants and cultural life of the capital. In Ljubljana and resorts, you can always buy foreign newspapers and magazines.

Slovenia has two state television channels, as well as private stations Pop TV and Kanal A. Films are shown in their original language with subtitles. Approximately 2/3 of the inhabitants of Slovenia use cable or satellite TV. Most hotels also have satellite TV.

Currency

Tourists can exchange foreign currency at banks, post offices and some large hotels. Most banks, even in small provincial towns, have ATMs. Major hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards.

Opening hours

Banks. Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00, Sat 8.00-12.00.
The shops. Mon-Fri 8.00-19.00, Sat 8.00-13.00. Shops selling essential goods may be open on Sundays and public holidays, but other trade on Sundays is prohibited by unions.
Museums. Large museums are usually open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00 in summer, opening hours are reduced in winter. Some small museums are generally closed in winter.
Filling stations. 7.00-20.00 Mon-Sat, large gas stations are open around the clock.

Police

police officers (policy) they are always ready to help and are quite friendly, although their presence at the border points inspires some fear. Slovenia is part of the Schengen countries, which allows you to cross the border without passport and customs control. Under pressure from other EU countries, Slovenia has to prove that its borders with non-EU countries are locked.

Fines issued by the police for traffic violations are paid at banks and post offices.

Mail

Postal items are accepted by the national post of Slovenia. Post offices in large cities are open Mon-Fri 8.00-19.00, Sat 8.00-13.00, in small towns and villages Mon-Fri 8.00-14.00, Sat 8.00-11.00.

The exception is the post office on OF Square in Ljubljana, next to the train station. This branch is open Mon-Fri 7.00-24.00, Sat 7.00-18.00, Sun 9.00-12.00. The post office on Tsegaletova Street, 5 is open around the clock.

Religion

Gaining independence in the most favorable way affected the position of the church. The monasteries began to operate, and Sunday became a non-working day. Most of the country's population (about 75%) professes Catholicism. In 2004, Alojz Uran was appointed archbishop of Ljubljana. A second archbishopric was created by Pope Benedict XVI in Maribor in 2006.

There are 2.5% Orthodox in Slovenia (mostly Serbs, Montenegrins, Macedonians and Bosniaks), 1.5% Muslim (immigrants from Bosnia and Herzegovina), 1% Protestants (predominantly in the northeast, near the Hungarian border), 20% of the population are either undecided or are atheists.

Phones

The code for Slovenia is 386. When calling from abroad, the first 0 should not be dialed. During internal calls, the code must be dialed in full - if you are calling from another region. City codes: Ljubljana - 1, Maribor - 2, Kranj - 4, Portoroz - 5, Novo Mesto - 7.

You need a phone card to use pay phones (telefonska kartica), which can be bought at the post office and most newsstands. You can also call from the post office, but telephones are not available everywhere. Calls from hotel rooms are expensive.

Three mobile operators (Mobitel, Si.mobil and Tucmobil) operate in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands. Not all North and South American telephones work in such conditions. SIM cards and phones can be bought in major cities. Information about international calls: 989. Information about local calls: 988.

Time

Time in Slovenia is 2 hours behind Moscow.

Tips

If you liked the lunch and the service in the restaurant, you can leave a tip of 10%. But in principle, tipping in Slovenia is optional.

toilets

There are few public toilets in Slovenia - except at railway stations and bus stations, where it is customary to leave a small amount. However, you can always go to a cafe or bar, but in this case it is customary to ask or order a drink first. All toilets in Slovenia are very clean.

Tourist Offices

The Slovenian Tourist Board has a very useful website www.slovenia.info. The Tourist Information Center in Ljubljana is located at: Krekov trg 10, tel.: 01-306-45-75.

There are also tourist offices of Slovenia in London, Brussels, Milan, Munich and Vienna. There are no branches of the Tourist Board outside Europe.

Most cities and towns in Slovenia have their own tourist centers (TIC). Here are the coordinates of some of them:

Ljubljana: Adamic-Lundrovo nabrezje 2, near the Triple Bridge, tel.: 01-306-12-15; www.visitljubljana.si. There are small tourist offices at the station and at the airport.

Northwest

• Bled: Cesta svobode 10, tel.: 04-574-11-22; www.bled.si
• Bohinj: Ribcev Laz 48, tel.: 04-574-60-10; www.bohinj.si
• Bovec: Trg golobarskih zrtev 8, tel.: 05-384-19-19; www.bovec.si
• Kamnik: Glavni trg 2, tel.: 01-831-82-50; www.kamnik-tourism.si
• Kobarid: Trg svobode 16, tel.: 05-386-04-90; www.doline-soce.si
• Kranj: Koroska cesta 29, tel.: 04-236-30-30; www.turisticnodrustvo-kranj.si
• Kranjska Gora: Ticarjeva 2, tel.: 04-580-94-90; www.kranjska-gora.si
• Radovljica: Gorenjska cesta 1, tel.: 04-531-53-00
• Škofja Loka: Mestni trg 7, tel.: 04-512-02-68; www.skoljaloka.si

Southwest

• Idrija: Vodnikova 3, tel.: 05-374-39-16; www.idrija-turizem.si
• Isola: Soncno nabrezje 4, tel.: 05-640-10-50; www.izola.eu
• Koper: Titov trg 3, tel.: 05-664-64-03; www.koper.si
• Nova Gorica: Bevkov trg 4, tel.: 05-330-46-00; www.novagorica-turizem.com
• Piran: Tartinijev trg 2, tel.: 05-673-44-40; www.portoroz.si
• Portorož: Obala 16, tel.: 05-674-22-20; www.portoroz.si
• Postojna Cave: Jamska cesta 9, tel.: 05-720-16-10; www. postojna-cave.com
• Stanjel: Stanjel 42, tel.: 05-769-00-56; www.kras-carso.com

Northeast

• Celje: Krekov trg 3, tel.: 03-428-79-36
• Lutomer: Juresa Cirila 4, tel.: 02-584-83-33; www.jeruzalem.si
• Logarska Dolina: Logarska dolina 9, tel.: 03-838-90-04; www. logarska-dolina.si
• Maribor: Partizanska cesta 6a, tel.: 02-234-66-11; www. maribor-pohorje.si
• Murska Sobota: Zvezna ulica 10, tel.: 02-534-11-30; www. murska-sobota.si
• Ptuj: Slovensk i trg 5, tel.: 02-779-60-11; www.ptuj-tourism.si
• Rogaška Slatina: Zdraviliski trg 1, tel.: 03-581-44-14; www. rogaska-slatina.si

Southeast

• Dolenjske Toplice: Zdraviliski trg 8, tel.: 07-384-51-88
• Novo Mesto: Glavni trg 6, tel.: 07-393 92 63; www.novomesto.si

Public transport

Using public transport in Slovenia is easy and convenient. You can get to most places from Ljubljana in 2 hours, so you won't have to spend the night on the train.

Buses

Bus tickets are inexpensive and buses run frequently. The network of bus routes is much wider than the railway network, so local residents prefer to use buses. You can get to almost any corner of the country, although sometimes you have to make transfers.

Ljubljana bus station: tel.: 1991 (from Slovenian phones); www.ap-ljubljana.si

Maribor bus station: tel.: 02-235-02-12; www.veolia-transport.si. Koper bus station: tel.: 05-639-52-69.

Tickets for trains are inexpensive, travel conditions are quite comfortable. But due to the country's mountainous landscape, the rail network is not as extensive as the bus network. The most frequent and fastest trains run between Ljubljana and Maoibor and Ljubljana and Koper.

Ljubljana Station: tel.: 01-291-33-32; www.slo-zeleznice.si. Maribor railway station: tel.: 02-292-21-00. Station Koper: tel.: 05-639-52-63. It is worth mentioning the old steam locomotives that run on some lines during the tourist season. Information can be obtained at www.slo-zeleznice.si by clicking on the "On the Trip" button and then on the "Steam Train" link.

Taxis are available in all major cities, but these services are not cheap. Discuss the fare before boarding.

Visas and customs regulations

Most foreign tourists need a valid passport to visit Slovenia, although citizens of the European Union and Switzerland can enter the country with an identity card and stay in Slovenia for up to 30 days. For stays over 90 days for citizens of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada and australia visa is not needed. Citizens of South Africa require a visa.

Slovenia is a member of the Schengen Agreement, so there are no border controls on the borders with Austria and Italy.

Citizens of other countries should visit www.mzz.gov.si prior to travel (only in Slovenian) or at the Slovenian embassy in your country.

Customs regulations in Slovenia are similar to those of other EU countries. When returning from Slovenia, you can only take with you what is intended for personal use or for gifts (not for resale).

Internet sites

The Internet in Slovenia is very well developed. It will not be difficult for a tourist to find an Internet cafe in any major city and tourist center. Typically, such establishments are open from 10.00 to 22.00. Many large hotels have conditions for using the Internet.

www.slovenia.info is the best website owned by the Slovenian Tourist Board. Here you will find the most accurate information about accommodation, transport and activities in the country.
www.sloveniatimes.com is the site of an English-language newspaper covering sports, culture, lifestyle and events.
www.uvi.si - website of the government public relations service. Here are placed press releases about life in the country in English.
www.ljubljanalife.com is an interactive magazine about the cultural life of the capital.

Slovenia - the most detailed information about the country with a photo. Sights, cities of Slovenia, climate, geography, population and culture.

Slovenia

Slovenia is a small state in Central Europe with beautiful nature, history and a dynamic economy. The country is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement. Slovenia is located at the junction of the Balkans and Central Europe, in the eastern part of the Alps and the northern Adriatic. The country is bordered to the north by Austria, to the west by Italy, to the southeast by Croatia, to the northeast by Hungary.

This eastern Alpine state, despite its small size, is located at the crossroads of important European routes. Also nowadays Slovenia is becoming more and more popular among tourists due to its natural and historical attractions and lower prices compared to Italy and Austria.

Geography and nature

Small Slovenia boasts great geographical diversity. The Alps rise in the northwest, the Middle Danubian lowland extends in the northeast, the Dinaric highlands in the south, and the Adriatic coast in the west. For the most part, Slovenia is a mountainous country. Mountains occupy about 40% of the territory. Slovenia is also washed by the Adriatic Sea. The sea coast has a length of about 30 km.

The large rivers Sava and Drava (a tributary of the Danube) flow through the territory of Slovenia. There are also many picturesque mountain and glacial lakes in the country. The largest among them are Lake Bled and Bohinjsko. Of interest are many karst caves -, Shkotsyansky caves, etc.

The nature of Slovenia is also very diverse. Almost half of the country's territory is covered with forests, steppe landscapes can be found on the highlands, coniferous forests and alpine meadows in the mountains, and the Adriatic coast will indulge in Mediterranean vegetation.

Climate and weather

Geographic diversity has left its mark on the climate. The territory of Slovenia is climatically heterogeneous: on the coast, the climate is Mediterranean, in the mountains - continental, in the flat part - temperate continental.

Summer is usually warm weather with infrequent rains. Winters are mild with slight frosts. In the mountains, the weather is much harsher and there is a lot of snow.

Best time to visit

Slovenia is a country that can be visited all year round. The highest tourist season is June-August. The best time to visit Slovenia is April-May and September-October. At this time there are few tourists, dry and warm. This is a great time for hiking, exploring nature and the sights of the country.

The lowest season is November-March (except Christmas holidays). Ski slopes are open in the mountains in winter. The ski season lasts from December to March.

Story

Slovenian ancestors came to these lands in the 6th century. In the 7th century, one of the first Slavic states was formed here, which in the middle of the 8th century fell under the protectorate of the Frankish state. Thanks to the influence of the Franks, the Slovenes became Christians.

The first documents in Slovene date from the beginning of the 11th century. In the 14th century, Slovenia became part of the Habsburg Empire and remained part of Austria-Hungary until the First World War.

As a result of the First World War, the Slovenian coast went to Italy, and the rest of the country became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later called Yugoslavia. The Kingdom of Yugoslavia ceased to exist during World War II. As a result, the socialist federal republic of Yugoslavia emerged. Slovenia gained independence in 1991.

Currency and money

The currency of Slovenia is the euro. Many shops and restaurants accept credit cards.

A hotel room for two can be rented for 30-40 euros (prices vary greatly depending on the season, the star rating of the hotel and its location). Dinner or lunch in a restaurant and cafe will cost 20-30 euros. A pint of beer costs 2-4 euros. Tips are usually included in the bill. If not, then it is customary to leave 10-15% of the invoice amount.

Language and population

The official language is Slovenian. It belongs to the Slavic group of languages. Lots of people speak English. In areas close to Italy, you can meet people who know Italian, and on the border with Austria - German.

The population of Slovenia is mainly represented by Slovenes. Many immigrants from the former Yugoslavia. More than half of the population is Catholic. Slovenians are a rather friendly and welcoming nation. When greeting, it is customary to shake hands.

Administrative division

Administrative divisions of Slovenia on the map.

Security

Slovenia is a fairly safe country. According to statistics, 90% of crimes involve theft. Therefore, the basic safety rules: do not leave things unattended, be more careful in crowded places, remove valuables in the car. If necessary, you can call 112 for the police or medical assistance.

How to get there

By plane

Slovenia's main international airport is located near the capital - Ljubljana. There are also options to get through the airports in Pula, Trieste and Venice.

By bus

By train

By car

Slovenia has excellent road links with neighboring countries. Thanks to good roads and small size, it is very convenient to travel around the country by car. To travel, you must purchase a special permit - a vignette.

Gastronomy

Slovenian cuisine is a kind of synthesis of Austrian and Italian cuisine. Here on the menu you can find Austrian schnitzel and strudel, Italian pasta, risotto and pizza, Hungarian goulash. Among the local dishes stand out the likeness of our štruklji dumplings with different fillings, dried pork (prosciutto), potato dumplings, bean soup, a kind of Italian polenta, ribs with garlic, the traditional Slovenian potica pie.

Slovenian cuisine is very hearty. Typically, the meal includes beef and chicken soup with egg noodles, a second meat course of beef, pork, chicken and turkey, seafood is common on the coast.

Alcoholic beverages are dominated by beer and wine. Of the local beers, the most common are Laško and Union. From non-alcoholic coffee is very popular.

International fast food chains operate in major cities and tourist destinations. Slovenia also has large supermarket chains - Lidl, Leclerc, Aldi, Mercator.

Cities of Slovenia

The cities of Slovenia are quiet, small and quite picturesque. The capital and largest city of the country is Ljubljana. In it you will not find world-famous attractions, you will not run around trying to catch everything. Here you can focus on leisurely walks and getting to know the city.

Interesting places and sights of Slovenia

The most interesting places and attractions in Slovenia:

Lake Bled is the most beautiful lake in the foothills of the Alps. Beautiful natural landscapes, architectural monuments and the purest water in which you can swim in summer. Bled is considered to be the best Slovenian resort.

One of the oldest castles in Slovenia and one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The Gothic castle was founded in the 12th century and perched on the edge of a large cliff. Located 10 km from the town of Postojna.

Postojnska Jama is one of the most visited attractions in Slovenia. This is a system of karst caves with a length of more than 20 km. About 5 km are open to the public. This is the world's largest underground attraction accessible to tourists.

Otočec Castle is an old medieval castle 7 km from the town of Novo Mesto. Built on a small island in the 13th-14th century.

Triglav is the only national park in Slovenia and one of its symbols. It includes the most beautiful alpine landscapes, mountain rivers, lakes and the highest peak of the country - Mount Triglav.

Slovenia- Republic of Slovenia, state in the south of Europe. The name Slovenija comes from the ethnonym Sloveni Prasl. forms of the ethnonym Slavs, i.e. the territory of Slovenes. Modern the self-name of the main population of the country Slovenes (slovenci) is formed from its name. Geographic ... ... Geographic Encyclopedia

Slovenia- Slovenia. Julian Alps. SLOVENIA (Republic of Slovenia), a state in the south of Europe, in the southwest it is washed by the Adriatic Sea. The area is 20.3 thousand km2. The population is 2 million people, 88% are Slovenes. The official language is Slovenian. Believers... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Slovenia- (Slovenija), Socialist Republic of Slovenia, one of the republics of Yugoslavia. On the territory of Slovenia, small plastics of the Paleolithic era, Neolithic ceramics with engraved geometric ornaments, close to the monuments of Apulia, were found ... Art Encyclopedia

Slovenia- (Slovenia), a small Balkan state in the East from Italy, Slovenes, who belonged to the west. Slavs, from the 14th century. until 1918 they were under the rule of the Habsburgs. After the 1st World War, most of them entered the newly created Kingdom of Serbs, Croats ... The World History

Slovenia- n., number of synonyms: 1 country (281) ASIS synonym dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary

SLOVENIA- Until 1993, it was part of Yugoslavia. It is located in the Julian Alps, in the basin of the Sava and Drava rivers. The territory is 20.3 thousand square kilometers, the population is about 2 million people (1990). Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, machine tool building are developed. In agriculture, preo… World sheep breeding

Slovenia- (Slovenija) The Socialist Republic of Slovenia (Socijalistička Republika Slovenija), a republic within Yugoslavia (SFRY), in the extreme northwest of the country, in the west it borders on Italy and in the north on Austria. Access to the Adriatic Sea in the area ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Slovenia- Republic of Slovenia Republika Slovenija ... Wikipedia

SLOVENIA- The Republic of Slovenia, a state at the junction of continental Europe with the Balkan and Apennine peninsulas. Its northern border with Austria for the most part runs parallel to the river. Drava, in the west the country borders with Italy, in the south and southeast with ... ... Collier Encyclopedia

Slovenia- (Slovenija), the Republic of Slovenia, a state in the South of Central Europe. 20.3 thousand km2. Population 1.96 million (1996), mostly Slovenes. Urban population 50.5% (1991). The believers are mostly Catholics. The official language is Slovenian. ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Slovenia- The Republic of Slovenia State structure Legal system General characteristics Civil and related branches of law Criminal law and procedure Judicial system. Control authorities State in the south of Central Europe. Territory 20.3 thousand ... Legal systems of the countries of the world. Encyclopedic reference

Books

• Slovenia. Croatia, Marina Alekseevna Ulybysheva, The World Travel Guide series invites you to the Balkans - where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet: to Slovenia - a green oasis of Europe with mountains, lakes, mineral springs; ... Category: Guides Series: World Journey Publisher: White City, Buy for 1091 rubles
• Slovenia. Croatia , Ulybysheva M.A. , Guide Series 171; World Travel 187; invites you to the Balkans - where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet: to Slovenia - a green oasis of Europe with mountains, lakes, mineral ... Category: Europe Series: World Journey Publisher: