Slovenia and Croatia Country Dossier

"Having spent so long in Asia and the Middle East, I had no idea what to expect of Eastern Europe. Would it be exotic enough? Would it stimulate the senses? Would I enjoy it?"

"Any doubts that I had were swept away the instant that I arrived in Moscow to start my research trip. Walking around the Red Square in Moscow and exploring the beautiful architecture on the streets of St Petersburg, I was bowled over by what I saw and was eager to continue my journey south. Along every step of the route I became more and more entranced with what I saw – the exquisite old city of Vilnius, the modern lively pulse of Warsaw, the heartbreaking museum at Auschwitz, the buskers on Charles Bridge in Prague, hiking in the mountains of Slovakia (where I just had to extend my trip for a day or two, so magnificent was the scenery!), cruising down the Danube and eventually arriving in the exotic, noisy hustle and bustle of Istanbul. Every day brought something new to explore or experience; an amazing museum or art gallery, an excellent local beer, a chance meeting with a fascinating old lady on a park bench in Prague, a street café where I watched the world go by, some delicious local food…….. and so the list goes on. My advice is to GO NOW and see this wonderful region for yourself!"

Yavuz Salataci, Destination Manager – The Imaginative Traveller

• Factfile
• Preparing to go
• Money
• Cultural & Environmental Guidelines
• Arrival
• On Tour
• General Information

Factfile

Capital: Slovenia – Ljubljana, Croatia – Zagreb.
Official Language: Slovenia – Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, German, English and Italian. Croatia – Croatian, German, Italian and English.
Religions: Slovenia – Roman Catholic, Atheist. Croatia – Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Atheist.
Voltage: 220 volts, 50Hz.

Preparing to go

Visas

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Hong Kong, the USA and most European countries do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries can obtain 30 day visas upon arrival.

Money

Local Currency

The monetary unit of Slovenia is the Tolar (SIT) and for Croatia it's the Kuna (HRK). Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows:

• 1 Pound Sterling = 9.2 HRK / 304 SIT
• 1 US Dollar = 4.78 HRK / 155.5 SIT
• 1 Euro = 7.25 HRK / 239.6 SIT

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs

In both countries, all major currencies can be exchanged easily.

Slovenia - It's simple to change cash and travellers cheques at banks, post offices, travel agencies and any menjalnica, a private exchange office. Exchange rates can vary. Banks take a commission of 1%, while tourist offices, travel agencies, exchange bureaus and hotels take up to 5%.Credit cards are accepted at upscale restaurants, shops and hotels, but elsewhere you must use cash. Only a few ATM's are accessible to foreign account holders, but more and more are coming online. Credit card holders can get cash advances in tolars from some banks.

Croatia – There are numerous places to change money, all offering similar rates. Exchange offices charge commission but some banks do not. You can get a cash advance on your credit card at banks throughout the country, though Visa credit cards are not accepted by all banks. It is recommended you change any Kuna back to your preferred currency before departing Croatia.

The Pre Departure Booklet that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains general information about organising your spending money. Your Tour Leader will be able to advise you on local facilities.

Working out your Budget

The Pre-Departure Information contains general information about the things you will need to consider when budgeting for your holiday.

Entrance Fees

Adventurer trips do not include any entrance fees. The average entrance fee is approx US$3 - 4

Optional Excursions

All of our itineraries include some free time, the amount of which usually depends on the style of tour you are travelling on (Adventurer trips generally have more than Traveller). If you wish to take optional excursions your Tour Leader will be able to advise you of the possibilities in each area.

Meals

You will find the meal plan for your tour clearly indicated in the brochure and on your Trip Dossier. Breakfast is provided most days. Lunches and dinners are not included to give you more freedom.

Approximate costs for meals and snacks are shown below:

Croatia

• Simple snack - US$4 - 8
• Light meal - US$8 - 20
• Fancy restaurant - US$20+

Slovenia

• Simple Snack - US$5-10
• Light Meal - US$10-15
• Fancy Restaurant - US$15+

For a guide to the type of food you will find in Slovenia & Croatia see the Local Food & Drink section of this dossier.

Drinks
All drinks (i.e. bottled water, soft drinks) are at your own expense. Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below.

Slovenia and Croatia

• 30cl bottle of soft drink - US$1
• 50cl bottle of beer - US$1.5

The local tap water is fine to drink. Bottled water is also readily available either carbonated or still.

Local Transport

During the tour itself we will travel primarily by bus. You may also find yourself on a ferry or utilising taxis. Your tour leader will always advise you on the most efficient way of getting from A to B.

What to Take

The Pre-Departure Information that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. Check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements.

Clothing

You will find that 'anything goes' in the countries that you visit. In the summer it can get very hot so you should try to bring clothes that are lightweight, loose fitting, hard wearing and easily washed.

Imtrav Travel Tip
A sarong is an invaluable item to carry as it can be used for so many different purposes – towel, skirt, shawl, sleeping sheet etc etc.

In certain areas and religious sites your Tour Leader may ask you to dress conservatively. Out of respect for local values, we ask that you follow your Tour Leader’s advice at all times.

Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in very hot countries, night-time and early morning temperatures can be extremely cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow.

Prepare Yourself
Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

General

Please make sure that you adhere to normal standards of responsible travel - such as conserving electricity and water, not littering and taking care not to disturb wildlife.

Photography

You should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph and respect their decision if they say no.

Arrival

Arrival Transfers

Upon arrival at Ljubljana International Airport, please look for our representative who will be holding an Imaginative Traveller sign. S/he should be waiting for you, in the arrivals hall (i.e. after exiting the Immigration and Customs area)

Making Your Own Way

The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers.

The taxi rank is right in front of the passenger terminal. The fare from the Airport to Ljubljana City center is approx. SIT 7,000

There are also buses departing regularly from the airport to the city centre. The journey takes approx. 45 minutes. Tickets are available on the bus but prices are subject to change.

On Tour

Safety

Most people find that Slovenia and Croatia are very friendly and safe countries and feel quiet comfortable wandering around alone during the day. However, as with any area you are not familiar with (and in particular in large cities), it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night and generally take taxis rather than walk especially if you are a lone female.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advise on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager.

Please note that some styles of trip, such as Imaginative Escapes or Imaginative Honeymoons, do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take.

Accommodation

Our main criterion for choosing hotels is cleanliness. On Adventurer tours hotels are simple, but comfortable. Bathroom facilities may sometimes be shared and rooms may sometimes be multi share rather than twin. Hotels on Traveller tours almost always have private bathrooms, air conditioning and bar / restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

Note: Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room. Single supplements are also only available on Traveller tours and are not applicable on overnight boats, trains and while camping.

Laundry

A laundry service is available in most of the hotels we are use. The prices vary widely but your tour leader will be able to advise you where is best to get laundry done.

Local Food & Drink

Food
Slovenian and Croatian cuisines both reflect the cultures that have influenced them through the course of history and the variety and diversity of their terrain. From the Italian influence on the coast to the Hungarian, Viennese and Turkish style cuisine of the interior. From hearty meat dishes to pasta and pizza, Slovenian and Croatian cuisine is diverse flavoursome and varied.

Your tour leader will be able to advise you on the best places to eat and the various specialties to try in each country.

Drinks
Croatia is famous for its plum brandies, herbal brandies, cognacs and liqueurs. It is customary to have a small glass of brandy before a meal. Beer (pivo) and wine are also a big part of Croatian meal time. Slovenia produces some noteworthy wines, brandies and beers too.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
Although meat is often not the main feature of a meal, it can be found in many dishes, even if only as a stock. Therefore, if you are a vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available at meal times. Your Tour Leader will do their best to offer a vegetarian alternative, but your patience and understanding is requested.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Communications

Email
Internet cafes are cropping up all over Croatia and Slovenia with helpful English speaking staff. Expect to pay around US$3-4 for one hour.

Phone
To make an international phone call from Croatia the cheapest option is to go to a post office. Phone cards are readily available and purchased in units, however they can work out to be 50% more expensive than making your international call from a post office. In Slovenia phone cards work on a magnetic card system which can then be used in all phone boxes. Phone calls made from hotel rooms can occur hefty charges so be aware before placing a call from your room. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on the best places to call internationally.

Post
The postal service is good throughout the region and stamps are widely available.

General Information

Weather

Temperatures can vary from region to region depending on whether we are close to the coast or in Slovenia's Alpine region.

The following chart shows average daytime temperatures (in Degrees Celsius):

Slovenia Meteorological Authority

Croatia Meteorological Authority

Suggested Reading

Guidebooks

• Footprint Croatia Guide (Footprints publication)

Background Reading

• Croatia – A Nation Forged in War by Marcus Tanner
• The Suitcase: Refugee Voices from Bosnia and Croatia (University of California Press)
• Waterlings - translated by Veno Toufer and Milne Holten – a six epic lyrical poem important to Slovenian literature.
• The Culture of Lies by Dubravka Ugresic.

Contact Details

Local Office
Kompas d.d.
Prazakova 4
SI-1514 Ljubljana
Tel.: +386 1 2006 406
Fax: +386 1 2006 431

UK Office
The Imaginative Traveller
1 Betts Avenue
Martlesham Heath
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP5 3RH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1473 667337
Fax: +44 (0)1473 614566

24hr Emergency Contact
MOB: +90 532 481 51 73(TK)