Slovenja Trip Tidbits

Always when I write my travel blogs there is information that just doesn't fit into the narrative but would be helpful to know.  Here's is a list of bits and pieces that might be helpful should you visit Slovenja.

-- tips are included in the price of a meal, usually between 19 and 22%.  Tipping extra garners much appreciation

-- using a few Slovenian words like welcome (dobrodosil) and thank you (hvala) is always met with a smile.  Hvala sounds like folla with a v after the f (it's weird)

-- 60% of Slovenja is forested and what is logged, is exported to Austria

-- most villages have a linden tree where traditional gatherings solved disputes or made decisions affecting the community.

-- we had a chance to tour the famous Lipica stud farm where they've been breeding Lipizzaners (white horses) since 1580.  Maybe next time...

-- on our trip to the Cave, we saw Lake Cerknica, Slovenia's biggest lake, which only exists in the spring (it was dry when we passed it)

-- the official symbol of Ljubljana is a dragon as seen on the Dragon Bridge, supposedly the dragon was killed by the Greek, Jason, and his Argonauts as they passed through the Ljubljana marshes

-- most visitors to Slovenja are from Europe but it is also a big tourist destination for South Koreans

-- it has more casinos per 1000 people than any other European country (its population is only 2 million)

-- Ask for senior's rate at tourist sites if you are over 60 as it is a significant discount

-- If you have a chip credit card, know your password.  These aren't needed in the United States but everywhere else uses them

-- most hotels offer bed and breakfast.  Glen learned to enjoy a tiny cup of espresso whereas I loved café latté

-- Slovenja is prosperous with clean streets and lush farms.  We only saw one beggar who asked Christian for money--he even spoke English

-- smoking is big in Europe and you just can't avoid it, especially in outdoor venues.  However, you don't see cigarette butts littering the streets

-- you can drink beer for breakfast in the Frankfurt airport and Cuban cigars are cheap at the Duty Free there