There are no special vaccination requirements for travellers in Slovenia as the risk of contracting a dangerous disease is extremely low.

Medication for minor ailments, such as colds, headaches, high temperatures or insect bites, is available without prescription from pharmacies (lekarna), which exist in most Slovenian towns; duty pharmacies in cities remaining open 24 hours a day.

With highly-trained staff maintaining international standards, healthcare facilities in Slovenia are on a par with the rest of Europe and widely available across the country. While most Slovenian towns have a health centre, individual clinics are available in villages. The modern, well-equipped clinics are shared equally between state and private practitioners.

All Slovenian towns and villages provide emergency medical assistance, including air lift by helicopter when necessary.

There is little or no charge for treatment at a public outpatient clinic. Private treatment costs from €40 per consultation.

Tap water throughout Slovenia is 100% safe. If there are concerns about the safety of water when hiking or camping in the mountains, water can be purified by boiling it for 10 minutes. Although chlorine tablets kill many pathogens, iodine is more effective and available in tablet form. It is important to follow the directions carefully as too much iodine can be harmful.

A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), available to citizens of European Union member states and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, covers treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care, as long as the reason for the visit isn't specifically to give birth. With this card, visitors have the same access to public health services, i.e. doctors and pharmacies, as Slovenian citizens, enabling visitors to receive any necessary treatment during their stay. However, visitors are advised to purchase additional health insurance.

In the event that fees have been charged for public health services in Slovenia, the charges can be reclaimed upon return to country of origin.

Transportation by ambulance in Slovenia is free of charge in an emergency, or with a doctor’s confirmation that such transportation is essential. In any other circumstances, a charge equal to 90% of the cost of the ambulance transportation is charged.

There are no special vaccination requirements for travellers in Slovenia as the risk of contracting a dangerous disease is extremely low. When in the forest or by water it is important to watch out for ticks. We recommend that an appropriate repellent is used, and upon return from the forest, checks should be made and any ticks removed immediately. In the summer, near water, mosquitoes can also be a nuisance. The tick has been described as the most dangerous ‘beast’ in the forest. There is no need for excessive fear, but caution and appropriate action is necessary. A tick bite is unlikely to cause illness for several reasons:

• Only a minority of ticks are infected
• Infection, even after a bite by an infected tick, is rare
• Only a small number of people become ill when infection occurs

A relatively low number of diseases are transmitted by ticks. Using simple measures, this can be reduced further:

• When in the forest, the body should be covered as much as possible. Wearing brightly-coloured clothes makes it easier to notice a tick
• Repellents help, but they are not totally efficient and are useful for only a limited length of time. It is important to follow product instructions.
• Clothes should be washed before being worn a second time, particularly woollen clothes

A full-body tick check, using a hand-held or full-length mirror, should be undertaken to view all parts of the body upon return from tick-infested areas. Parents should check their children for ticks – under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the naval, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in the hair. Ticks should be removed immediately with fine-tipped tweezers. Ticks attached to the skin for less than 24 hours are extremely unlikely to cause Lyme disease; however, may be transmitted more quickly. A summer fever or rash may be the first sign of Lyme disease. It is important to remain alert, especially after spending time in a tick habitat. Visit your healthcare provider if you have concerns; and remember that antibiotics can treat Lyme disease successfully, especially when detected at an early stage Vaccination and precautions for avoiding tick bites in high-risk areas can greatly reduce the risk of developing tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).

When you are in the forest or by water you should watch out for ticks. We recommend that you use an appropriate repellent, and when you get back from the forest check yourself thoroughly and remove any possible ticks in good time. In the summer, near water surfaces mosquitoes can be a nuisance.

All payments should be made to the Valdmandel Ltd bank account, details below: Valdmandel Ltd Sort code. 40-29-08 Account no. 14173562 Or pay with Pay Pall

 

Most visitors see summer as the best time to visit Slovenia when the weather is at its most reliable, the full range of sights are open, and the country’s numerous festivals are in full swing. However, many of Slovenia’s attractions are just as enjoyable outside the peak summer months, and in particular during spring and autumn, when the countryside colours are at their most resplendent, hotel prices (at least in the resort areas) are slightly lower, and the crowds are a little thinner.

A visit to the mountain regions can be enjoyed any time of the year – skiing between December and March, and climbing, hiking and adventure sports between April and September. Aside from Kranjska Gora in the winter, and Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj in the height of summer, few resorts get so full that finding accommodation becomes a problem.

The Primorska region (from the Soča Valley down to the coast) has a typically Mediterranean climate – very warm summers with consistent sunshine, and pleasantly cool winters; this is the one part of the country that can feel a little pressured by crowds, particularly in August when hordes of vacationing Italians arrive from just across the border. Booking accommodation around this time is therefore recommended.

The best time to visit Kočevje and experience its nature and the best it can offer is from May to September. The weather is nice and sultry with the lowest temperature being around 10 Celsius (50℉) and the warmest being a usual 36 Celsius (97℉).

National holidays in Slovenia

• 1 and 2 January - New Year
• 8 February - Prešeren Day, Slovenian Cultural Holiday
• 27 April - Day of Uprising Against Occupation
• 1 and 2 May - May Day Holiday
• 8 June - Primož Trubar Day
• 25 June - Statehood Day
• 17 August - Day of Slovenes in Prekmurje Incorporated into the Mother Nation
• 15 September - Day of Restoration of the Primorska Region to the Motherland
• 25 October - Sovereignty Day
• 1 November - All Saints Day
• 23 November - Rudolf Maister Day
• 26 December - Independence and Unity Day

National holidays in the Republic of Slovenia are work-free days, except Primož Trubar Day, Day of Slovenes in Prekmurje Incorporated into the Mother Nation, Day of Restoration of the Primorska Region to the Motherland, Sovereignty Day and Rudolf Maister Day, which are not work-free days.

• Other work-free days in Slovenia
• Easter Sunday and Monday
• Whit Sunday
• 15 August - Assumption Day
• 31 October - Reformation Day
• 25 December – Christmas

Slovenia has a fantastic location in the heart of Europe. The country is surrounded by the Eastern Alps, the Adriatic Sea, the Balkans, Italy, Croatia and Hungary, making it accessible from a range of European locations.

Majority of the visitors from the UK fly directly to the only Slovenian national airport Jože Pučnik. Jože Pučnik airport is located 27 km north from the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Adria Airways, national flag carrier flies to Ljubljana twice weekly from Gatwick May-September, and from Manchester June-September.

You can travel from the UK to Slovenia all year around also with Easyjet ( London Stansted) or Wizzair ( London Luton). Otherwise, Slovenia is well connected by road and rail with their four neighbours – Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary which means you have a variety of possibilities to get to Slovenia.

Barefoot Bear organises the transfers to Kočevje; please contact us for more details.

If you wish to organise your transport, the easiest way is to hire rent a car. If you decide to use public transportation, there are following options. There are no direct connections between Ljubljana airport and Kočevje; first, you need to get to Ljubljana. Buses link the airport with Ljubljana bus station hourly from 5 am (7 am at weekends) to 8 pm; one-way tickets cost €4.10, and the journey takes 45 minutes. The best airport minibus shuttle service is GoOpti: from €9 one way to anywhere you want to go in the city centre, with journeys taking around 30 minutes. A taxi to the centre costs from €30. There is no direct connection from Ljubljana to Kočevje. However, you can take the bus to Dvor then take the taxi to Kočevje. Alternatively, you can take the train to Ursna sela then take the taxi to Kočevje.

Bus+ taxi ( 1 h 44 min), cca 26,00 € - 31,00 € : Ljubljana- Dvor- Kočevje

Train+ taxi ( 2h 16 min), cca 47,00 € - 56,00 € : Ljubljana- Ursna sela- Kočevje

Taxi ( 58 min): cca 70,00 € - 90,00 €

However, on long-term the best and the most comfortable option is to hire a rent a car. Ljubljana airport Jože Pučnik offers you variety of rent a car companies: Avis, Atet, Budget, Dollar Thrifty, Europcar, Hertz, Avant Car, Sixt Rent-a-car, Agio, ABC, Enterprise with which you can make cheap deals from 10,00 € on per day.