TRAVEL TIPS
Slovenia – a country in Central Europe, is known for its mountains, ski resorts and lakes. On Lake Bled, a glacial lake fed by hot springs, the town of Bled contains a church-topped islet and a cliffside medieval castle. In Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, baroque facades mix with the 20th-century architecture of native Jože Plečnik, whose iconic Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) spans the tightly curving Ljubljanica River.
Croatia: Croatia is an Eastern European country with a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Encompassing more than a thousand islands, it’s also crossed by the Dinaric Alps. Its inland capital, Zagreb, is distinguished by its medieval Gornji Grad (Upper Town) and diverse museums. The major coastal city Dubrovnik has massive 16th-century walls encircling an Old Town with Gothic and Renaissance buildings. In a country famous for its dazzling coastline, Croatia’s inland capital has been sneaking under the tourist radar for decades. With a new airport terminal opened in March 2017 and exciting new cultural developments bolstering its long-cherished historic and natural charms, now’s the time to discover the delights of Zagreb.
Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options…and plenty to consider.
Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the Schengen countries. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to the respective consulate or through their respective website. When traveling to multiple Schengen countries it is best to apply in the country of the first entry or the country you will stay the most. Slovenia is part of the 26 Schengen State Countries and Croatia visa: www.vfsglobal.com/croatia/uae/. For Croatia if you are holding a multiple Schengen visa you can get visa on arrival in Croatia.
Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options. Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You’ll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.
Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette, and how shoppers can take advantage of VAT refunds.
Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers…or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.
Packing Light: On your trip you’ll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.
Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture.
Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.
Sightseeing & Activities: Once you’re on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.
Things do & see:
SLOVENIA
Ljubljana – Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital and largest city. It’s known for its university population and green spaces, including expansive Tivoli Park. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined in outdoor cafes, divides the city’s old town from its commercial hub. Ljubljana has many museums, including the National Museum of Slovenia, displaying historic exhibitions, and the Museum of Modern Art, home to 20th-century Slovene paintings and sculptures.
Kamnik – Kamnik is a town in northern Slovenia. It is surrounded by the mountains and one of them is Velika Planina that offers a great view. It is the central settlement of the Municipality of Kamnik. It encompasses a large part of the Kamnik Alps and the surrounding area. The town of Kamnik has three castles as well as many examples of historical architecture.
Kranj – fourth municipality and traditional region of Upper Carniola is a mainly industrial city with significant electronics and rubber industries. Kranj is the fourth-largest city in Slovenia, with a population of 37,941. It is located approximately 20 kilometres northwest of Ljubljana. The centre of the City Municipality of Kranj and of the traditional region of Upper Carniola is a mainly industrial city with significant electronics and rubber industries.
Coast- The Slovene Riviera is the coastline of Slovenia, located on the Gulf of Trieste, by the Adriatic Sea. It is part of the Istrian peninsula and is 46.6 km long. The region comprises the towns of Koper and Piran with Portorož, and the municipality of Izola
Karst – The Karst Plateau or the Karst region (Slovene: Kras, Italian: Carso), also locally called Karst, is a karst plateau region extending across the border of southwestern Slovenia and northeastern Italy.
Bled – Bled, a Slovenian resort town in the foothills of the Julian Alps, is set along the glacial Lake Bled. On a cliff overlooking the lake is the 11th-century Bled Castle, which houses a museum, chapel and printing press. Atop a small island in the lake’s center is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria, with its steep staircase and bell tower.
Škocjan Caves – is a cave system in Slovenia. Due to its exceptional significance, Škocjan Caves was entered on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986. International scientific circles have thus acknowledged the importance of the caves as one of the natural treasures of planet Earth
Julian Alps – The Julian Alps are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretch from northeastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 m at Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia and of the former Yugoslavia. A large part of the Julian Alps is included in Triglav National Park.
Idrija– is a town in western Slovenia. It is the seat of the Municipality of Idrija. It is located in the traditional region of Inner Carniola and is in the Gorizia Statistical Region. It is notable for its mercury mine with stores and infrastructure, as well as miners’ living quarters, and a miners’ theatre.
Jesenice- is a Slovenian town and the seat of the Municipality of Jesenice on the southern side of the Karawanks, bordering Austria to the north. Jesenice is known as the Slovenian home of mining and iron making industries, its largest steel company Acroni, and its ice-hockey club, Acroni Jesenice.
Triglav National Park– The mountainous northwest lakes and Mount Triglav.
Novo Mesto- is the city on a bend of the Krka River in the City Municipality of Novo Mesto in southeastern Slovenia, close to the border with Croatia. The town is traditionally considered the economic and cultural centre of the historical Lower Carniola region.
Dolenjske Toplice – Dolenjske Toplice is a settlement near Novo Mesto in southeastern Slovenia and is the seat of the Municipality of Dolenjske Toplice. The area is part of the traditional region of Lower Carniola. The municipality is now included in the Southeast Slovenia Statistical Region.
Pohorje-Savinjska- Pohorje, also known as the Pohorje Massif or the Pohorje Mountains, is a mostly wooded, medium-high mountain range south of the Drava River in northeastern Slovenia. According to the traditional AVE classification it belongs to the Southern Limestone Alps.
Savinja and Šalek Valley- The Savinja is a river in northeast Slovenia which flows mostly in the Upper and Lower Savinja Valley and through the cities of Celje and Laško. The Savinja is the main river of the Savinja Alps. It flows into the Sava River at the town of Zidani Most. It has often flooded, such as in the 1960s, 1990, and 1995.
Celje- is the third-largest city in Slovenia. It is a regional center of the traditional Slovenian region of Styria and the administrative seat of the City Municipality of Celje.
Trbovlje- is Slovenia’s ninth largest town, and the seat of the Municipality of Trbovlje. It is located in the valley of a minor left bank tributary of the Sava River in the Central Sava Valley in central-eastern Slovenia.
Velenje- is Slovenia’s sixth-largest city, and the seat of the Municipality of Velenje. The city is located in northeastern Slovenia, among the rolling green hills of the Šalek Valley, with the Kamnik–Savinja Alps to the west and the Pohorje Mountains to the east.
Žalec– is a town in central Slovenia. It is the seat of the Municipality of Žalec. It lies in the valley of the lower course of the Savinja River west of Celje. The primary economic activity of the region is growing hops, which is reflected by the city’s coat-of-arms
Maribor – second biggest city of Slovenia. It is also the largest city of the traditional region of Lower Styria. Maribor is a Slovenian city set amid wine-region hills on the Drava River. On Glavni Trg, the old town’s main square, the Renaissance-style Town Hall (Mariborski rotovž) dates from 1515. On nearby Grajski Trg square, 15th-century Maribor Castle houses a frescoed Knights’ Hall and the Regional Museum of Maribor, with extensive displays of local artifacts. To the southwest, Mariborsko Pohorje is a prominent ski resort.
Ptuj Castle – situated on a hill alongside the river Drava overlooking the town. The castle was built in the mid-12th century, when it was constructed to defend against the Hungarians.
Murska Sobota – near the Mura River in the region of Prekmurje and is the regional capital. Murska Sobota is a town in northeastern Slovenia. It is the centre of the Municipality of Murska Sobota near the Mura River in the region of Prekmurje and is the regional capital.
Logar Valley Natural Park – one of the most beautiful alpine valleys, Lonely Planet described it as “a land of incomparable beauty”. The Logar Valley is a valley in the Kamnik Alps, in the Municipality of Solčava, Slovenia. The Slovene name for the valley is of relatively recent coinage and is derived from the Logar Farm, which in turn is derived from log
Savinja and Šalek Valley – great place for active holidays, picturesque land of natural parks and Pippi Family Festival. The Savinja and Šalek Valley is a region in northern Slovenia, close to the border with Austria. Municipalities: Gornji Grad, Solčava, Rečica ob Savinji, Ljubno ob Savinji, Luče, Nazarje, Šmartno ob Paki, Mozirje, Šoštanj, and Velenje.
Postojna Caves – is a 24,340 m long karst cave system near Postojna, southwestern Slovenia. It is the second-longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.
Soča/Isonzo Valley – where the emerald-coloured river flows. The Soča or Isonzo is a 138-kilometre long river that flows through western Slovenia and northeastern Italy. An Alpine river in character, its source lies in the Trenta Valley in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia, at an elevation of 876 metres.
The Kolpa River – one of the intact rivers in Slovenia comprised of a 113 km long strip of land that borders Croatia
Triglav National Park – home of the national symbol, Mount Triglav where you can enjoy exploring the Posočje area, canyoning, rafting, paragliding, hiking and mountaineering
Radovljica – tiny picturesque town in the Upper Carniola. It is the administrative seat of the Municipality of Radovljica.
Piran/Pirano – charming picturesque coastal town. Piran where you can get lost in its medieval narrow streets and houses.
Ankaran/Ancarano – pleasant town on Adriatic coast between Triest and Piran.
Lipica Stud Farm – The unique estate which has more than 350 Lipizzaner (horses) and 435 years of tradition
Portorož – is a resort town on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast. Its spas offer therapeutic treatments based on the mud and brine from the nearby Sečovlje Salina salt pans. The central Portorož Beach is a wide, sandy stretch with wooden piers. The hilltop Church of St. Bernardin is a former monastery from the 15th century. To the south, Seča Park is home to Forma Viva, an area dotted with stone sculptures.
Seča Park – home to Forma Viva, an area dotted with stone sculptures.
Koper – port city in Slovenia, on the country’s Adriatic coastline. Its medieval old town centers around Titov Trg, a square with Venetian-influenced landmarks such as the Praetorian Palace and a Gothic – style loggia while nearby Da Ponte Fountain is a replica of Venice’s famed Rialto Bridge.
CROATIA
Zagreb-Croatia’s northwestern capital, is distinguished by its 18th- and 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture. At its center, Upper Town is the site of the Gothic, twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral and 13th-century St. Mark’s Church, with a colorfully tiled roof. Nearby is pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes. Lower Town has the main square, Ban Jelačić, plus shops, museums and parks.
Dubrovnik-a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea. It’s known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun (or Placa) is lined with shops and restaurants.
Split- is Croatia’s second-largest city and the largest city in the Dalmatia region. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings.
Zadar– a city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular Old Town. There are several Venetian gates in the city walls. Surrounding the Roman-era Forum is 11th-century St. Mary’s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century. There’s also the grand, 12th-century St. Anastasia’s Cathedral and the round, 9th-century pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus.
Pula- a seafront city on the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, is known for its protected harbor, beach-lined coast and Roman ruins. Settled in the prehistoric era and valued for its strategic location, Pula has been occupied, destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. The Romans, Ostrogoths and Venetians, as well as the Allied Forces in World War II, have each administered the city.
Šibenik- is a city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It’s known as a gateway to the Kornati Islands. The 15th-century stone Cathedral of St. James is decorated with 71 sculpted faces. Nearby, the Šibenik City Museum, in the 14th-century Prince’s Palace, has exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present. The white stone St. Michael’s Fortress has an open-air theater, with views of Šibenik Bay and neighboring islands.
Rijeka- is a Croatian port city on Kvarner Bay in the northern Adriatic Sea. It’s known as a gateway to Croatia’s islands. Korzo, the main promenade, is lined with Habsburg-era buildings. Nearby, the 19th-century Ivan pl. Zajc Croatian National Theatre has ceiling paintings by Gustav Klimt. The hilltop Trsat Castle complex, which includes a religious shrine, has sweeping views of the islands of Kvarner Bay.
Rovinj– is a Croatian fishing port on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. The old town stands on a headland, with houses tightly crowded down to the seafront. A tangle of cobbled streets leads to the hilltop church of St. Euphemia, whose towering steeple dominates the skyline. South of the old town is Lone Bay, one of the area’s pebble beaches. The Rovinj archipelago’s 14 islands lie immediately off the mainland.
Trogir-is a town on the central Adriatic coast of Croatia. Its preserved old town, known for its mix of Renaissance, baroque and Romanesque buildings, lies on a small island connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo by bridges. The 13th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence houses the Renaissance Chapel of St. John and offers sweeping views from its bell tower. Parts of the medieval city walls remain intact.
Hvar-a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, is best known as a summer resort. Highlights of the port town Hvar include its 13th-century walls, a hilltop fortress and a main square anchored by the Renaissance-era Hvar Cathedral. The island also features beaches such as Dubovica and inland lavender fields. Boat excursions serve the nearby Pakleni Islands, which have secluded beaches and coves.
Korčula- is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea. It has an area of 279 km²; 46.8 km long and on average 7.8 km wide — and lies just off the Dalmatian coast.
Karlovac- is a city in central Croatia. According to the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, in 2018, its population was 51,447. Karlovac is the administrative centre of Karlovac County. The city is located on the Zagreb-Rijeka highway and railway line, 56 kilometres south-west of Zagreb and 130 km from Rijeka.
Vukovar– is a city in eastern Croatia. It contains Croatia’s largest river port, located at the confluence of the Vuka and the Danube. Vukovar is the seat of Vukovar-Syrmia County. The city’s registered population was 26,468 in the 2011 census, with a total of 27,683 in the municipality.
Opatija- is a Croatian coastal town on the Adriatic Sea. A fashionable resort in the 19th century, it’s dotted with Habsburg-era villas. The Lungomare is a promenade that snakes along the coastline, offering views of the town and neighboring islands. The 1800s Villa Angiolina, set in a garden of exotic plants, houses the Croatian Museum of Tourism. Parts of St. Jacob’s Church date from the 16th century.
Sinjski- ćoškari is a town in the continental part of Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. The town itself has a population of 11,478 and the population of the administrative municipality, which includes surrounding villages, is 24,826
Beach Season-Croatian coastline boasts some of the most picturesque beaches in Europe
The Blue Cave-A precious gem among Croatia’s nature highlights
Pag Cheese Season-Famous cheese from Pag island is a national pride of Croatia, known as Paški sir
Hiking-Climb spectacular mountains, traverse lush woods, enjoy freedom and harmony with nature.
Kayaking-A great way to explore Croatian coastlines.
The Best Sunsets-Famous Adriatic sunset in Zadar impressed Alfred Hitchcock.
White Water Rafting-Fast rivers of Croatia are perfect for white water rafting.
Cruising and Sailing-Follow Marco Polo’s path and explore Croatia’s numerous islands
Diving-Clear waters of the Adriatic are popular with divers. Take a chance to explore marine life, ship wrecks and underwater caves
Lavender Bloom on Hvar Island-A flowery kingdom on the Croatia’s most sunny island
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing-Good conditions for windsurfers and kite surfers during the summer
Peka-A signature cooking technique for Croatian cuisine
Wild Figs-Enjoy this nutritious sweet fruit while in Dalmatia
Lobster Eating Time-Mouth watering lobsters as well as other delicious seafood straight from the Adriatic
Asparagus Season-Have you already tried wild asparagus?
Plitvice Lakes-Frozen Plitvitce Lakes are called Croatia’s natural miracle
Sinjska Alka-A medieval equestrian knightly competition in Sinj that is part of UNESCO list
Autumnal Plitvice Lakes-Natural wonder wearing all shades of gold and red
Ultra Europe Music Festival-Feeling the beat of Adriatic with an ultrahip Ultra music festival
Rijeka Carnival-Winter holiday season in Rijeka is highlighted by the biggest carnival in Croatia with costumed parades and performances, lots of music and dancing
International Donkey Race-Visitors get a chance to hop on a donkey and speed up in Tisno during the annual donkey race
Oysters Season-Locally produced oysters and mussels is a must try for seafood lovers
Olive Harvest-Olives are the matter of pride in Croatia
Kumpanjija Performance-See a unique historical dance on Korcula Island with sword fights
Nights of Diocletian-In Split, do as Romans do during a colourful carnival at Diocletian Palace
Red Bull Air Race-Extreme flying competition in Rovinj is a breathtaking experience for spectators
Zagreb Christmas Market-The spirit of Advent and entertainment for the whole family in the central of medieval city
Fried Dormice-A grilled dormouse—a rather unusual dish for modern European cuisine
Truffle Season-A chance to find the next biggest truffle in the world
Crni Rizot (Black Risotto)-If you like seafood, this is a must try of Croatian cuisine
Ribarska Festa-Fisherman festivals in an Istrian town of Vrsar is a unique experience, available at Adriatic
Birdwatching in Kopacki Rit-Exciting birdwatching on one of the largest wetlands in Europe
Dvorišta—the Courtyards of Zagreb-Get behind closed doors in old Zagreb and meet some locals during a ten-day festival
Skiing and Snowboarding-Northern Croatia boasts a few decent skiing locations in winter.
