8 THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT SLOVENIA 🇸🇮

Summary

This video highlights eight lesser-known facts about Slovenia that visitors should be aware of. It covers the country's small but beautiful coast, its impressive hiking trails, and the unique Slovenian language with its dual form. The video also touches on practical advice for visiting Ljubljana, Slovenia's traditional heritage costumes, and the country's strong wine culture. It emphasizes Slovenia's active lifestyle, including skiing and hiking, and provides insight into the country's visa policies and work opportunities. Overall, it's an essential guide for anyone considering a visit to Slovenia.

Takeaways

• 😀 Slovenia has a very small coastline (46 km) with crowded beaches, no sandy shores, and a unique blend of rocky, paved, and grassy beaches.
• 😀 Slovenia's hiking trails span over 10,000 km, offering breathtaking views, but hiking to the top of Triglav, the country's highest peak, can be quite challenging.
• 😀 The Slovenian language has a unique 'dual' form for addressing two people, and it includes complex grammar with multiple cases and conjugations.
• 😀 In Ljubljana, the capital, it's recommended to ditch the car. The city is pedestrian- and bike-friendly, with convenient bicycle rental options and a well-developed public transit system.
• 😀 Traditional Slovenian costumes, once a sign of social status, are still worn by cultural and folk dance groups. They are expensive and authentic ones cost several hundred euros.
• 😀 Slovenia is a wine-loving country, producing between 63 to 89 million liters annually, with wine being a common feature at social events.
• 😀 Despite their love for wine, Slovenians lead an active lifestyle, enjoying sports such as hiking, cycling, skiing, and snowboarding.
• 😀 Slovenia's small size means its culture and attractions are tightly interconnected, especially along the coastline where beaches, architecture, and activities are close together.
• 😀 Greeting fellow hikers with a smile and a simple 'hi' is a common and polite custom in Slovenia's mountain areas.
• 😀 Slovenia offers various types of visas, but to obtain a work visa, you must already have an employer lined up. Learning Slovenian is essential for most jobs that require communication.

Q & A

What makes Slovenia's coastline unique?

Slovenia has a very small coastline, just 46 kilometers long, divided into four municipalities. The beaches are crowded, especially in summer, and while there are no sandy beaches, visitors can find rocky, pebble, and grass beaches. Despite its small size, the coastline features beautiful architecture and calm, pleasant waters, ideal for activities like paddleboarding.

What should you know about hiking in Slovenia?

Slovenia has over 10,000 kilometers of well-maintained hiking trails, offering breathtaking views. For avid hikers, there's a lot to explore, but even casual hikers should be aware that some mountains, like Triglav, can be challenging. A unique Slovenian tradition is greeting fellow hikers with a 'hi' when you meet them in the mountains.

What is a Slovenian tradition when hiking?

When hiking in Slovenia, it is customary to greet fellow hikers with a friendly 'hi.' This is considered a polite and respectful gesture, contributing to the friendly atmosphere in the Slovenian mountains.

How important is the Triglav mountain to Slovenians?

Triglav is Slovenia's highest mountain and is considered a symbol of the country. There is a saying that to be considered a true Slovenian, you must summit all three peaks of Triglav. It holds significant cultural and national importance.

How challenging is the Slovenian language for visitors?

The Slovenian language is complex, with distinctive features like the dual form for two people, as well as multiple grammatical numbers, genders, and tenses. Learning Slovenian can be challenging, but it's helpful for understanding the culture and for communication in some jobs.

Is it necessary to rent a car in Ljubljana?

No, it is not necessary to rent a car in Ljubljana. The city is very pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly. There are bike rental options, and public transit is reliable and clean. Using a car may actually be more inconvenient, especially during rush hour.

What are Slovenian Heritage costumes and how are they used?

Slovenian Heritage costumes are traditional attire, often worn by members of folklore groups or at festivals. These costumes used to signify social status, and today they are worn in cultural events. They can be expensive to acquire, often costing several hundred euros.

What is the role of wine in Slovenian culture?

Wine is a significant part of Slovenian culture. The country produces 63 to 89 million liters of wine annually, with much of it consumed domestically. Wine is commonly served at every social occasion, such as family gatherings, picnics, and celebrations.

How active are Slovenians despite their love for wine?

Despite a high consumption of wine, Slovenians are very active. They love outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, skiing, and other winter sports. Even after social gatherings with wine, many will engage in outdoor activities the following day, reflecting a strong culture of physical activity.

How can a foreigner get a work visa in Slovenia?

Foreigners wishing to work in Slovenia need to have a prior employer who will file for the work visa on their behalf. It is extremely difficult to find a job and get a work visa without having a job offer already in place. Additionally, learning Slovenian is highly recommended for most jobs involving communication with the public.