Slovenia

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===Background===
 
The Republic of Slovenia lies at the NE corner of the Adriatic Sea, bordered by Italy to the W, Austria and Hungary to the N and Croatia to the S.  As a fully independent nation, the country  has only existed since 1991, when the government issued a unilateral declaration of independence from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the confederation of states that emerged in the aftermath of World War II, following a referendum.  After a short war lasting only ten days, the remnants of the Yugoslav army were expelled and the country’s full independence was recognized by all members of the European Union on 15 January 1992.  Slovenia subsequently became a member of the United Nations on 22 May that year and a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004.  For the full history of Slovenia, see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenia].  Landlocked for most of its history, Slovenia had acquired a sliver of coastline on the Adriatic Sea only in 1954, when the territory around [[Trieste]] was ceded to Italy and the area from there S to Portoroz became the short, 11 mile coastline of the emerging nation.  With the cession of territory Slovenia acquired four principal harbours which can today accommodate cruising yachts.  From N to S they are: [[Koper]], [[Izola]], [[Piran]] and [[Portoroz]].  Most of the harbours, with the exception of Portoroz, which is a modern resort, are former Venetian settlements with picturesque old towns.  All of them are useful bases for exploring the many tourist attractions of Slovenia, including the spectacular scenery of the Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps; the famous Lippizaner stud at Lipice; the awesome cave systems of Postojna and Skocjan; the much-photographed Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj and several romantically situated castles such as those of Predjama and Bled.
The Republic of Slovenia lies at the NE corner of the Adriatic Sea, bordered by Italy to the W, Austria and Hungary to the N and Croatia to the S.  As a fully independent nation, the country  has only existed since 1991, when the government issued a unilateral declaration of independence from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the confederation of states that emerged in the aftermath of World War II, following a referendum.  After a short war lasting only ten days, the remnants of the Yugoslav army were expelled and the country’s full independence was recognized by all members of the European Union on 15 January 1992.  Slovenia subsequently became a member of the United Nations on 22 May that year and a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004.  For the full history of Slovenia, see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenia].  Landlocked for most of its history, Slovenia had acquired a sliver of coastline on the Adriatic Sea only in 1954, when the territory around [[Trieste]] was ceded to Italy and the area from there S to Portoroz became the short, 11 mile coastline of the emerging nation.  With the cession of territory Slovenia acquired four principal harbours which can today accommodate cruising yachts.  From N to S they are: [[Koper]], [[Izola]], [[Piran]] and [[Portoroz]].  Most of the harbours, with the exception of Portoroz, which is a modern resort, are former Venetian settlements with picturesque old towns.  All of them are useful bases for exploring the many tourist attractions of Slovenia, including the spectacular scenery of the Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps; the famous Lippizaner stud at Lipice; the awesome cave systems of Postojna and Skocjan; the much-photographed Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj and several romantically situated castles such as those of Predjama and Bled.
[[Image:SloveniaBled.jpg|300px|thumb|right| Lake Bled <br/>''Click for larger view'']]
[[Image:SloveniaBled.jpg|300px|thumb|right| Lake Bled <br/>''Click for larger view'']]
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[[Image:PostojnaCave.jpg|300px|thumb|right| Postojna cave system <br/>''Click for larger view'']]
[[Image:PostojnaCave.jpg|300px|thumb|right| Postojna cave system <br/>''Click for larger view'']]
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===Climate & Weather===
===Climate & Weather===
The weather in Slovenia, as in the Northern Adriatic generally, is subject to considerable seasonal variations.  The geography of the country also means that there are three distinct climatic influences that affect the weather.  In the mountains along the line of the Julian Alps a rugged Alpine climate prevails for much of the year, while down at the coast one experiences as a warmer, sub-Mediterranean climate.  The interior of the country, north and east from the capital, Ljubjana, has more of a continental climate. Average temperatures in the summer months are around 20 - 24 degrees C, while throughout the winter months temperatures can average as little as 0 - 4 degrees.   
The weather in Slovenia, as in the Northern Adriatic generally, is subject to considerable seasonal variations.  The geography of the country also means that there are three distinct climatic influences that affect the weather.  In the mountains along the line of the Julian Alps a rugged Alpine climate prevails for much of the year, while down at the coast one experiences as a warmer, sub-Mediterranean climate.  The interior of the country, north and east from the capital, Ljubjana, has more of a continental climate. Average temperatures in the summer months are around 20 - 24 degrees C, while throughout the winter months temperatures can average as little as 0 - 4 degrees.   

Revision as of 17:39, 4 February 2011

Slovenia

Slovenia
SloveniaMap.jpg
Slovenia
SloveniaFlag.jpg
Flag
Capital: Ljubljana
Language: Slovene
Currency: Euro (since 1/1/2007)
More notes about the country

The Republic of Slovenia lies at the NE corner of the Adriatic Sea, bordered by Italy to the W, Austria and Hungary to the N and Croatia to the S. As a fully independent nation, the country has only existed since 1991, when the government issued a unilateral declaration of independence from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the confederation of states that emerged in the aftermath of World War II, following a referendum. After a short war lasting only ten days, the remnants of the Yugoslav army were expelled and the country’s full independence was recognized by all members of the European Union on 15 January 1992. Slovenia subsequently became a member of the United Nations on 22 May that year and a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004. For the full history of Slovenia, see [1]. Landlocked for most of its history, Slovenia had acquired a sliver of coastline on the Adriatic Sea only in 1954, when the territory around Trieste was ceded to Italy and the area from there S to Portoroz became the short, 11 mile coastline of the emerging nation. With the cession of territory Slovenia acquired four principal harbours which can today accommodate cruising yachts. From N to S they are: Koper, Izola, Piran and Portoroz. Most of the harbours, with the exception of Portoroz, which is a modern resort, are former Venetian settlements with picturesque old towns. All of them are useful bases for exploring the many tourist attractions of Slovenia, including the spectacular scenery of the Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps; the famous Lippizaner stud at Lipice; the awesome cave systems of Postojna and Skocjan; the much-photographed Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj and several romantically situated castles such as those of Predjama and Bled.

Lake Bled
Click for larger view
Picturesque Piran
Click for larger view
Postojna cave system
Click for larger view

Climate & Weather

The weather in Slovenia, as in the Northern Adriatic generally, is subject to considerable seasonal variations. The geography of the country also means that there are three distinct climatic influences that affect the weather. In the mountains along the line of the Julian Alps a rugged Alpine climate prevails for much of the year, while down at the coast one experiences as a warmer, sub-Mediterranean climate. The interior of the country, north and east from the capital, Ljubjana, has more of a continental climate. Average temperatures in the summer months are around 20 - 24 degrees C, while throughout the winter months temperatures can average as little as 0 - 4 degrees.

Diurnal winds along the coast are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains are a feature of many of the harbours along the NE Adriatic coast. During early spring and (especially) autumn conditions can be more unsettled, occasionally accompanied by violent thunderstorms - luckily of short duration - with winds of 30-35 knots or more and vicious, steep seas. In the winter the sudden, violent N wind off the mountains, the bora, is much to be feared. Although not usually as strong as in the Gulf of Trieste, it is nevertheless a danger to contend with if cruising out of season. At its worst, the bora can blow hard for up to fortnight with little intermission. Usually, the bora is associated with stormy weather, with wind reaching 100 knots or more, and the direction in which the wind blows is mostly influenced by the configuration of the shore. The strength of the wind is explained by the existence of warm air over the surface of the sea, and a cold layer of air above mountain ranges in the littoral, which cause a strong streaming due to equating of the pressure.

Equally prevalent in winter - although not uncommon in summer - is the scirocco, a S/SE wind that blows up from North Africa, usually in advance of a depression moving E across the Mediteranean. Unlike the bora, the scirocco only occasionally exceeds gale force, but is still a phenomenon to be wary of, especially if on a lee coast. In the summer, it usually blows for a couple of days, and in the winter it can last for a couple of weeks. The signs of the oncoming scirocco are the calmness of the sea, weak changeable winds, and dimness of the horizon, the increase of the temperature and moisture, and the gradual decrease of the pressure. Fortunately, it usually blows longer and stronger in the southern Adriatic than in the northern part.

Sources of weather forecasting:

  • Radio Slovenia broadcasts a forecast at 0635 and 0955 local time on 928 kHz and on FM.
  • There is a continuous (computerised voice) weather forecast from Italy on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation.
  • The same forecast is given in Italian and English on Italian VHF coastal stations (e.g. Trieste) following a notification on channel 16.
  • Navtex weather forecasts covering the Adriatic are broadcast from stations at Trieste, Split (Croatia) and Kerkyra (Corfu).
  • The Croatian meteorological office has a useful web-based forecast service for winds and wave heights on [2]

Charts

British Admiralty 1471, 1426

Italian charts 924

Imray Nautical Chart M24

Special Navigation Notes

Yachts entering Slovenia from Croatia are required to clear in at Piran before proceeding to any of the other harbours.

Local Radio Nets

Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.

Arrival/Departure procedures

On arrival in Slovenia from any EU port, there are no formalities for EU vessels and EU citizens. However, immigration must be contacted if there are non-EU citizens aboard. All non-EU citizens are required to register with the police within three days of arrival. Customs must also be notified if there is anything to declare, such as firearms. If arriving from a non-EU port, a Q flag must be flown when entering the 12 mile limit. Customs and immigration must be contacted on arrival. Similarly, if departing to a non-EU port, customs and immigration must be notified.

Immigration & Customs

A boat owned by a resident of the EU has the right to free movement throughout the EU, provided VAT has been paid on that vessel in one of the EU countries. Although there is no legal time limit on the length of time a EU registered boat, VAT paid, can spend in any EU country, it appears that some countries occasionally enforce local regulations once the boat has been in that country for six months. Boats owned by non-EU residents and registered outside the EU are entitled to tax free temporary importation into Slovenia for a total period of eighteen months. The permitted period, or temporary importation, applies to the entire EU area and therefore at the end of the period the boat must be sailed to a country outside the EU or VAT must be paid. The temporary importation period may be extended, at the discretion of local customs, for various bona fide reasons, such as if the boat is left unattended and unused, if the owner leaves the EU, or if the boat is left in the care of a boatyard for repair. Those who wish to remain longer in Slovenia must deposit the ship's papers with the local customs office, who will put the vessel under bond. The clock will then be stopped until the owner returns on board. During the period the vessel is in bond, the boat must not move from its berth, and the owner or crew are not allowed to sleep on board.

Note: all pets will require to be microchipped and have a so-called ‘Pet Passport’ in order to be admitted to Slovenia.

Visas

In addition to a valid travel document, foreigners, other than EU nationals of the Schengen area, must hold a visa in order to enter the Republic of Slovenia. EU nationals are also not required to hold a residence permit during the first three months following their entry into the Republic of Slovenia. After the initial three months, however, they are obliged to apply for a residence permit.

The following documents are required to obtain a visa: - a valid passport and a copy of its personal information page and other relevant pages (visas, entry and exit stamps, and any other notes); - at least one colour photograph of the applicant, sized 45mm × 35mm; the photograph should be unmounted, clear and of good quality; it should be printed on normal photographic paper; - the visa fee (EUR 35 or EUR 60); - any supporting documents requested.

The visa issuing procedure usually takes only a few days, but it is possible that the procedure will last longer due to the verification of data in the application or the supporting documents. It is thus important that the visa be applied for in good time, which means at least four weeks before the planned arrival. Once issued, the visa is valid for 90 days in a period of six months.

Health & Security

Slovenia is a relatively safe country and the risk of terrorism and crime is relatively low. There are special rules for drivers in Slovenia, including the requirement to use headlights at all times and equip your vehicle for winter conditions between 1 November and 15 March. Heavy on-the-spot fines can be imposed by the police for speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or using a mobile phone.

Visitors requiring medical treatment can obtain it free if they are EU citizens and carry a current European Health Insurance Card. Non-EU citizens should not visit Slovenia without full medical insurance. There are no specific health warnings associated with Slovenia, other than a slight risk of tick-born encephalitis if spending a lot of time outdoors in the forested regions, when every precaution should be taken to avoid bites.

Ports & Popular Stops

Offshore Islands

None.

Cruiser's Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

References & Publications

Books, etc.

  • Adriatic Pilot (covering Croatia, Slovenia, Albania and Adriatic coat of Italy) by T&D Thompson. Edition: 5th (2008).
  • 777 Harbours and Anchorages (covering Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Albania) by Karl-H. Bestandig (English edition by Anna & Rod Bailey). Edition: 4th (2011)
  • Slovenia by Lonely Planet. Edition: 6th (2010).

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Submit useful website links for the region

  • Slovenia Tourism official website: [3]

Personal Notes

  • While Slovenia is not very extensive as a cruising ground, with only 11 miles of coastline, it is a good place to berth a yacht for a week or so to explore the exceptional attractions of the interior. Also, the marinas are suitable (if expensive) for over-wintering and there are budget flights to most European destinations from the capital, Ljubljana.--Athene of Lymington 14:40, 4 February 2011 (UTC)


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