Travel Guide Ljubljana

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1 Travel Guide Quick view Travel etiquette Health Phone calls & Internet Top 10 sights Shopping in Restaurants Nightlife Calendar of events Hotels Getty Images/Moment Open LH.com/travelguide 01/11

2 02 Quick view a brief overview is one of Europe s smallest capitals, but also one of its most delightful and visitor-friendly cities. Spread around the meandering Ljubljanica River, the city shows the mixed influences of s history, with traces still remaining of its Roman origins. Baroque Italianate palaces stand alongside the whimsical Modernist monuments of its revered city architect, Jože Plečnik; all overlooked by its solid medieval castle. is a city to explore on foot or by bike: with riverside walkways, footbridges and bicycle lanes, parks and gardens. It has a wealth of museums and galleries, excellent restaurants and an innovative cultural scene. General Information Country overview For first-time visitors, looks as if it has more in common with its Alpine neighbours of Austria and Italy, than those of former Yugoslavia. Geography This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north-south and east-west transit routes. borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the southeast, with a 47km (30-mile) Adriatic Sea coastline, where the main port is Koper. General knowledge Key facts Population: Population Density (per sq km): 98 Capital:. Language Slovene, which is closely related to Croat and Czech. Most Slovenes speak German, Hungarian or Italian, with English as a second language. Currency Euro (EUR; symbol ) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used. General business opening hours Business hours are generally Monday to Friday (or 1900), although quite a few still operate Working the weekends is not the norm, though LH.com/travelguide 02/11

3 03 many shops now also open on Saturdays and some on Sundays too. Public holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January December 2019 period Novo leto (New Year s Day): 1 und 2 January 2018 Prešernov dan (Culture Day): 8 February 2018 Velika noč (Easter Sunday): 1 April 2018 Velikonočni ponedeljek (Easter Monday): 2 April 2018 Dan upora proti okupatorju (Resistance Day): 27 April 2018 Praznik dela (Labour Day): 1 and 2 May 2018 Dan državnosti Slovenije (Statehood Day): 25 June 2018 Marijino vnebovzetje (Assumption): 15 August 2018 Dan reformacije (Reformation Day): 31 October 2018 Dan spomina na mrtve (All Saints Day): 1 November 2018 Božič (Christmas Day): 25 December 2018 Dan samostojnosti in enotnosti Slovenije (Independence Day): 26 December Novo leto (New Year s Day): 1 und 2 January 2019 Prešernov dan (Culture Day): 8 February 2019 Velika noč (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019 Velikonočni ponedeljek (Easter Monday): 22 April 2019 Dan upora proti okupatorju (Resistance Day): 27 April 2019 Praznik dela (Labour Day): 1 and 2 May 2019 Dan državnosti Slovenije (Statehood Day): 25 June 2019 Marijino vnebovzetje (Assumption): 15 August 2019 Dan reformacije (Reformation Day): 31 October Dan spomina na mrtve (All Saints Day): 1 November 2019 Božič (Christmas Day): 25 December 2019 Dan samostojnosti in enotnosti Slovenije (Independence Day): 26 December 2019 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. Usual European social conventions apply and informal dress is widely acceptable. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas, theatres, public offices and in waiting rooms. Health Health Food & Drink Mains water is considered safe and drinkable. However, bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Other Risks LH.com/travelguide 03/11

4 04 Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forests. Walkers should take precautions against tick bites. Vaccination is advisable. Immunisation against hepatitis B, diphtheria and tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek immediate medical advice. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code: +386 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-eu state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Castle Standing on a hilltop overlooking the river, this massively built medieval castle has played a vital role in the city s history. A funicular railway goes up to the entrance, from where you can take a tour or wander around its grounds. Grajska planota 1 Tel: Daily (Jun-Sep) Daily (Jan-Mar, Nov) Daily (Apr, May, Oct) Daily (Dec) Old Town & Town Hall The old city spreads along the east bank of the river at the foot of Castle Hill. It s a lovely area for walking, through shady squares and cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings such as Mestna Hisa (Town Hall). Mestna hiša, Mestni trg 1 Tel: Tours, Sat LH.com/travelguide 04/11

5 05 Tivoli Park s main park is an expansive grassy area, on its western outskirts. It s a wonderful place for a picnic, with attractions including an art gallery, glasshouses and sports facilities. Tivoli Park Plečnik Collection This former house of s revered avant-garde architect, Jože Plečnik, includes his studio and some of his original sketchbooks. Karunova 4-6 Tel: Closed for renovation until end May University Botanic Gardens Lying to the southeast of the city centre, these gardens include meadows, ponds, glasshouses and rockery, containing some 4,500 species of plants and trees. Ižanska cesta 10 Daily (Jul-Aug) Daily (Apr-Oct) Daily (Nov-Mar) National & University Library One of the masterworks of Jože Plečnik; this bold brick and stone block is adorned with carved shells and statues. From its black marble stairway to its brightly lit reading rooms, the library makes a fine home for its manuscripts and books dating from the Middle Ages. Turjaška 1 Mon-Fri City Museum This impressive museum housed in the Auersperg Palace contains some 200,000 artefacts charting the city s history from prehistoric times. One standout exhibit is the world s oldest wooden wheel, thought to be 40,000 years old. Gosposka ulica 15 Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun Thu LH.com/travelguide 05/11

6 06 National Museum of Housed in a neo-renaissance palace with a modern extension, the highlights of this ambitious history museum include Roman mosaics, Stone Age jewellery and coins. Prešernova 20 Tel: Fri-Wed Thu National Gallery of With a permanent collection of n art, from medieval icons to the Realists, this is arguably the best art gallery in the city. Puharjeva ulica 9 Tue-Sun (first Thursday of the month until 2000) Museum of Contemporary Art (MSUM) This eclectic museum exhibits the best of modern n art, photography and design, combined with temporary exhibitions covering themes, from tapestry to printmaking. Maistrova 3 Tel: Tue-Sun Shopping in Shopping in Key Areas With modern malls, organic food markets and arty boutiques, has something for everyone s inner shopaholic. Slovenska boulevard has mainstream department stores, but the Old Town s small, specialist shops offer a more relaxed experience. Markets Central Market, in the Old Town, has a mix of fresh local produce and foodie treats, together with souvenirs and handicrafts (open Mon-Sat). On Sunday mornings, stalls line the riverbanks, selling an array of antique knick-knacks, jewellery and artworks. The biggest food market is Mestna tržnica (Pogačarjev trg 1), with everything from fresh bread to horse pate (open Mon-Sat). Shopping Centres BTC City (Šmartinska 152) is the biggest new mall, with hundreds of shops, as well as restaurants and many other attractions. Nama (Tomšičeva 1) is an old city institution, with a huge range, from groceries to cosmetics. Maximarket (Smartinska 152g) also has a supermarket, with a health food section. LH.com/travelguide 06/11

7 07 Restaurants Restaurants in Eating out in is a satisfying adventure, with a range of cuisines, from Italian pasta to hearty Balkan stews. Sip n wine in a riverside café, or dine on dumplings in a rustic tavern.hotspots include the Old Town and along its central artery, Slovenska cesta. Gostilna na Gradu Stunningly set inside the castle, this is one of the best places for traditional n cuisine. Grajska planota 1 Price: Expensive Manna For contemporary cuisine in an elegant setting, Manna is heavenly indeed. Eipprova ulica 1a Price: Expensive Kavarna Zvezda This Old Town café with outdoor tables serves dreamy cakes and pastries. Wolfova ulica 14 Price: Moderate Špajza Authentic local cuisine is Špajza s speciality, including horsemeat amusebouches. Gornji trg Ljublana Price: Moderate Pizzeria Osmica Bring a big appetite to this good-value fast-food joint, which dishes up large and tasty deep-pan pizzas. Nazorjeva 8 Price: Cheap Nightlife Nightlife in LH.com/travelguide 07/11

8 08 punches above its weight when it comes to nightlife. There s a plethora of nightclubs and live-music bars, where you can hear everything from reggae to jazz.for more refined tastes, the city also has its resident n Philharmonic Orchestra, opera and ballet companies. Metelkovo Mesto This alternative commune is home to several live music clubs, including gay and lesbian nightclubs. Masarykova cesta 24 Jazz Club Gajo The city s oldest jazz club hosts top-class artistes from home and abroad. Beethovnova ulica 8 En Pub If you want to know what Turbo Folk music is, this hot and heaving club is the place to go. Celovška 150 Cankarjev Dom s top arts centre has more than a dozen auditoriums, hosting an impressive range of live shows. Prešernova 10 Križanke This former monastery is now an open-air theatre, home to s summer festival and other events throughout the year. Trg francoske revolucije 1 Calendar of events Calendar of events Shrovetide Carnival LH.com/travelguide 08/11

9 09 The streets of come to life with this colourful carnival, which is always held on the Saturday before Shrove Tuesday. With participants dressed as traditional n carnival figures, a costumed parade with marching bands sets out from Krekov trg Square and heads towards Presernov trg Square, where a series of entertainment events take place, including brass bands, puppet theatre and dancing. 25 February 2017 Venue: Various locations in the city centre Tercets of Trnovo A three-day festival of poetry. February - March Venue: KUD France Prešeren cultural centre n Musical Days Showcase of contemporary music. March 2017 Venue: Various venues Druga Godba Established in 1984 as an alternative to the country's mainstream music festivals, Druga Godba is dedicated to the weird and wonderful sounds of world music. Everything from Slovene folkloric music to African jazz finds a home at this eclectic five-day event. In addition to a great line-up of world music artists, the festival also includes animations, film screenings, music workshops, children's events, art exhibitions, seminars and political debates. May Venue: Križanke Theatre Jazz Festival With three or four performances each evening, the three-day Jazz Festival is a popular event that sees international bands and local talent take to the stage. The festival includes a variety of styles ranging from trad jazz and blues through to experimental and Latin American jazz. June - July Venue: Križanke Theatre and Cankarjev Dom Summer Festival 's stages fill with performers from around the world and the city's population swells. LH.com/travelguide 09/11

10 10 June - September Venue: Various venues Marathon Starting and finishing at Subieeva ul in front of the Parliament building in the centre of, runners follow a circular course that takes in some of the best sites of this laid-back city. For anyone not up to running the full 42km marathon, runners can attempt the 21km half marathon or the 7km fun run. 29 October Venue: The route starts and finishes outside the Parliament building International Film Festival The annual International Film Festival is one of the biggest events of its kind in and features over 100 films, animations and documentaries, with a focus on avant garde work. The festival attracts a mix of film lovers, fans and industry specialists who can pick their way through a varied schedule that includes everything from French cinema through to Asian film. November Venue: Various cinemas in Christmas Market and Festive Lights One of Europe's great festive markets with practically the whole old city illuminated and stalls lining the river. November January 2018 Venue: By the banks of the Ljubljanica River Hotels Hotels in has a wide and growing selection of hotels, from luxurious 16th-century mansions, to quaint boutique hotels and budget hostels.the most popular areas are in the Old Town; though most business-oriented hotels are to the west of the river, where most offices and banks are located. Antiq Palace Listed as one of the Luxury Small Hotels of the World, this is the best in the city. Gosposka ulica 10 Category: Expensive Grand Hotel Union Executive LH.com/travelguide 10/11

11 11 This classic hotel has luxurious rooms, plus business facilities and a swimming pool. Miklošičeva cesta 1 Category: Expensive Garni Hotel Azur This funky modern boutique hotel has some larger family rooms and apartments. Sattnerjeva ulica 2 Category: Moderate Ahotel In a quiet suburb, this hotel offers excellent service and comfort for a mid-range option. Cesta dveh cesarjev 34d Category: Moderate Penzion Pod Lipo This is a great budget choice with simple but cosy rooms, in a 200-year old building. Borštnikov trg 3 Category: Cheap LH.com/travelguide 11/11