Slovenia

SLOVENIA is a republic state with a parliamentary democracy.

Official name:............Republic of Slovenia
Political system: ...........parliamentary republic
Area: .............20,273 km2
Forest: ...........10,124 km2
Vineyards: ..........216 km2
Length of border with Austria: .........318 km
Length of border with Italy:............232 km
Length of border with Hungary:.........102 km
Length of border with Croatia: ..........670 km
Length of coast:...........46.6 km
Capital: ............Ljubljana
Population: ..............2 million

Climate:

Due to the changes in climate - Mediterranean at the coast, Alpine in the Alps and Karavanke mountains, and Pannonian to the northeast of the country - the appropriate clothes for each season is recommended.
Average temperatures in July are above 21oC and in January 0oC. In the summer it can be very hot at the coast and quite cold in the mountains. We advise you to check the weather forecast before coming to Slovenia.

Driving advice SLOVENIA

CAR RENTAL: To rent a car you will require a personal identification document with a photograph, a valid driver's licence and a credit card, with which the car rental will be paid. A valid International driver's licence is also recommended for citizens of non EU European countries and is obligatory for citizens from other continents.
Drivers wishing to rent a car must be at least 21 years of age (for categories H, I, J, O and S they must be at least 25 years of age) and their driver's licence must be valid for at least a further two years. For drivers between the ages of 21 and 25 some rental offices require additional payment for 'young drivers'.

MOTORHOMES: The driver needs to have a licence of the applicable category for the vehicle being driven, all passengers have to sit in adequate seats during travel and wear seat-belts. Other documents required are the same as for personal passenger vehicles. For transport of additional cargo on the roof or at the rear of the vehicle, the requirements are the same as for personal passenger vehicles - cargo may extend past the extreme front of the vehicle up to a maximum of 1 m, and may extend up to a maximum length of 1.5 m at the rear at the vehicle, however the total length of the vehicle with cargo must not exceed 12 m. If the cargo at the rear of the vehicle extends more than 1 m behind the vehicle it must be marked with a square board, 25x25 cm, with oblique red/white stripes.
Overnight stops are permitted at special rest areas for motor-homes, which you can find HERE, or in camp grounds. For a list of camp grounds click HERE.

Toll Roads, Toll Stickers, Vignette.

Mandatory toll stickers or vignettes have been introduced on 1 July 2008 for all motorcycles, cars and vans not exceeding 3,500kg maximum laden weight on Slovenian motorways, expressways and the Ljubljana bypass.

The one-year vignette costs EUR 55 (valid from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the next year, for a total of 14 months), and the half-year vignette EUR 35 (valid for six consecutive months from the date of purchase). Vignettes for one-track vehicles/motorcycles were also introduced, and the price of the one-year and half-year vignette stands at 27.5 and 17.5 euros respectively. In 2008, only half-year vignettes are available for purchase. Vignettes can be purchased at filling stations in Slovenia and the neighbouring countries, in branch offices of the national and foreign automobile clubs, post offices across Slovenia and some kiosks. Visit the list of sales points for more information.

Drivers using toll roads without a valid and properly displayed vignette or without paying the toll are fined EUR 300 to EUR 800.

Drivers using electronic prepaid toll media (ABC tag, DARS card) may return their electronic medium to the toll collection authority at any time. The ABC electronic toll tag as a valid toll payment method is no longer in use, but refunds of ABC tag credit balance and remaining value will be possible for some time after the implementation of the vignette toll collection system.

For more information visit www.cestnina.si

Child Seats:

Children under 14 and less than 1.50 metres in height cannot travel as a front or rear seat passenger unless using suitable restraint system for their height / weight. Vehicles without such protection e.g. two-seater sports cars or vans / lorries may not be used at all to transport children under 14 years of age. Children under 14 years but over 1.50 metres in height must use the adult seat belt. Children 14 or over and over 1.35 metres in height are allowed to use a 'Dreipunktgurt' (three point seat belt) without a special child seat, if the belt does not cover the throat / neck of the child.

Speed Limits:
automobiles buses
km/h km/h
urban areas 50 50
regional roads 90 80
main highways 100 80
expressways 130 80

At the teritory of Slovenia it is compulsory:
* use of dimmed lights
* use of safety belts at all of the seats where they are available
* use of the homologationed motorcycle helmets for motorbikes riders and co riders
* use of fog lights is allowed with the conditions of lessening visibility to more than 50 percent

Public Holidays / Daylight Savings Time

2009
January 1 and 2 New Year's
February 8 Prešeren Day, Slovene cultural day
Easter Sunday and Monday
April 27 Day of Uprising against the Occupation
May 1 and 2 May Day holiday
Pentecost
June 25 Slovenia Day
August 15 Feast of the Assumption
August 17 Slovenians in Prekmurje Incorporated into the Mother Nation
September 15 Restoration of the Primorska Region to the Motherland
October 31 Reformation Day
November 1 All Saint's Day
November 23 Rudolf Maister Day
December 25 Christmas
December 26 Independence and Unity Day

Time Zone:

Central European Time (CET)

Daylight Savings Time:

Daylight Savings Time is valid from the end of March to the end of October (CET 1 hour):

2009: Sunday, 29 March to Sunday, 25 October
2010: Sunday, 28 March to Sunday, 31 October
2011: Sunday, 27 March to Sunday, 30 October

The adjustment takes place unitarily on the night of Saturday to Sunday at 01.00 a.m GMT, that is 02.00 a.m in Austria.

Finding your way:

There are numerous guides and road maps available at bookshops, service stations...
Some Internet sites suggest different ways of getting from one place to another (from the quickest to tourist routes with stopovers...): http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/ or http://www.mappy.co.uk

Travel times:

For the peak tourist seasons July, August, Christmas and Easter advance reservations for transport as well as accommodation is strongly recommended.