About Slovenia

Slovenia borders Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia with a surface area of justover 20,000 sq km and about two million people. Since 1 May 2004, ithas been a new member of the European Union. Slovenia has beaches, snowcapped mountains, hills awash in grape vines and wide plains blanketed in sun flowers to Gothic churches, baroque palaces and ArtNouveau civic buildings. Its incredible mixture of climates brings warm Mediterranean breezes up to the foothills of the Alps, where snow falls are possible even during summer. More than half of Slovenia's total area is covered in forest.

Further general information about Slovenia may be obtained through the Slovenia Tourist Board website. Rich visual information on Slovenia and its places of interest can be found at the Slovenia Landmarks website.

Triglav (2864m, 9,396ft) is the highest mountain of Slovenia; Slovenia on the map of Europe/World

To watch the newest TV advertisment presenting Slovenia as a tourist destination on CNN click here.
To read about the controversial national anthem "Zdravljica" ("A Toast"), and listen to it, click here.

Slovenian Culture

Slovene is a South Slavic language written in the Roman alphabet and quite complex in its syntax. Throughout the country virtually everyone also speaks English and either German, Italian or Croatian – depending on the neighbouring region. Slovene literature saw its prosperity in romantic (France Prešeren), modern (Ivan Cankar) as well as post-modern periods. Folk music has seen a major revival in the last decade, classical and contemporary music gradually rivalled by the emerging electronic and digital cultures (DJ Umek). Similarly the postmodernist painting and sculpture, internationally represented by the multimedia group Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) and the IRWIN collective. Many notable buildings and public squares in Slovenia were designed by Jo?e Ple?nik (1872-1957). The country produces some noticeable red and white wines, the cuisine is traditionally based on venison and fish, showing strong influences of the neighbouring regions.

      
a famous portrait of France Prešeren; the NSK logo; Jo?e Ple?nik's concept of the "Parliament of Slovenia in Ljubljana"; DJ Umek

About Portoro?

As the most vivid and mundane of the Slovenian coast Portoro? is welcoming its visitors with its pleasant climate, well-developed tourist infrastructure, wide range of hotels, swimming pools, health centres, casinos etc. Development of this major tourist site started in the 19th century, when the healing qualities of mud from the nearby saltpans had been discovered. Backed by an idyllic countryside of the Slovenian Istria and flanked by a lively sport marina the resort offers unique holiday as well as business opportunities. Whether wellness or congress, Portoro? will prove a perfect place for both a relaxed and an active stay.

Please find more information about Portoro? and other places of interest in the Slovenian litoral through the Slovenska Istra portal.

Currency

The Slovenian currency is EURO. You can find daily currency exchange rates on the Bank of Slovenia website.

Banks

Banks will exchange foreign currency and travellers cheques for euros and vice versa. Changing money is also possible at exchange offices in hotels, petrol stations, tourist agencies, supermarkets, etc.

Shops

Most shops have working hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays and national holidays you may find some food stores open, mainly in the morning.

Medical Care

The level of health care in Slovenia corresponds to European standards. Every foreign visitor has the right to emergency medical care. Visitors from EU member countries and countries of the European economic region should use the forms E128, E111 or the E-card. The document type depends on the authorised insurance agency of their home country.