Languages
Slovene, to a lesser degree Italian, Hungarian, Croatian, Serbian, Romani and German
We had absolutely no trouble with English in Slovenia.
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Cash is helpful in Slovenia. While the majority of hotels and restaurants take credit card, there were times we needed cash.
International Airports
- Ljubljana (LJU)
- Maribor (MBX)
- Portoroz (POW)
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% or round up unless “service charge” is listed on the bill
Cabs: Round up to nearest 5 or 10 (about 5%)
A Note on Cars
Slovenia’s expressways require a toll sticker (vinjeta). If you rent your car in Slovenia it probably comes with it. If you drive in from another country (ie Croatia) you can buy it at a gas station. You get heavily fined if you get caught driving without one.
Not-to-miss Local Food, Beer, Drink
Water
Drinking tap water in this country is fine. Bring your reusable water bottle and request tap water at restaurants (voda iz pipe)
Soda
Cockta–like coke, created during the communist period when coke wasn’t available
Liquor
- Zganje (schnapps), you can find the following types:
- slivovka (plum schnapps)
- sadjevec (mixed fruit schnapps)
- brinjevec (juniper schnapps)
- medica (honey schnapps)
- borovnicke (wild forest blueberreis)
- Pleterska hruska (pear brandy)
Local Beer
- Union
- Lasko
- Adam Ravbar
- Gambrinus
- Zlatorog
- HumanFish
- Tektonik
- Loo-blah-nah
- Bevog
- Pelicon
- Lobik
- Barut
- Omnivar
- Reservoir Dogs
Local Wine
Slovenia produces some really great wine (and has for thousands of years).
Regions:
Podravje Region Wineries –
Pullus, Radgonske Gorice, Marof, Zlati Gric, P&F
Posavje Region Wineries –
Janez Sekoranja, Istenic, Jozef PrusPullus, Radgonske Gorice, Marof, Zlati Gric, P&F)
Primorje Region Wineries –
Movia, Marjan Simcic, Bjana
- Whites
- Sipon
- Traminec
- Laski Rizling
- Malvazija
- Beli Pinot
- ChardonnayFurmint/Sipon
- Riesling
- Radgonska Ranina
- Renski RizlingPinot Gris
- Reds
- Cviček
- Refosk
- Barbera
- Merlot
- Modra Frankinja
- Kraski Teran
- Modri Pniot
- Zametna Crnina
- Sweet
- Rumeni Muškat
Food
Slovenian food is influenced by neighboring countries of Austria, Italy, Croatia, Hungary
- Carniolan sausages and Kranjska Klobasa
- Prekmurska Gibanica (layered cake)
- Potica (pastry with walnuts)
- Prsut–air-cured ham
- Belokranjska Pogaca (flatbread)
- Blejska Kremsnita (Bled cream cake)
- Soska Postrv (river trout)
- Selinka (celery stew)
- Idruski Zlikrofi (pasta like ravioli)
- Skutni Struklji (cheese curds)
- Zgornjesavinjski Zelodec (cured pork cold cut)
- Goulash (Golaz)
- Paprikas (braised chicken/beef)
- Meat pastry (burek)
Not-to-miss Sites:
Ljubljana
Lake Bled
Vintgar Gorge
Julian Alps
The Karst: Lipica Stud farm and Skocjan Caves