Potential Expats, Have You Heard About… Slovenia?

Yes it really is a nation all of its own! Charming, historic, and in spite of its name, it is still considered a Western European nation with Eastern European traditions and customs dating back thousands of years. It is located at the uppermost reaches of the Adriatic Sea, bordering Italy, Croatia, Hungary, and Austria.This small republic is a member of the European Union as well as the Euro currency zone, which of course also makes it a member of the Schengen accord, which limits your stay to 90 days during any 180 day period, but residency is available, best obtained through an attorney knowledgeable in the language and the necessary bureaucratic hurdles you will have to jump through.
The capital city of this little jewel of a country is Ljubljana, a small and historic city offering everything from great architecture to an astonishing variety of foodstuff, all at very affordable prices. During the summer, it enjoys a moderate Mediterranean climate, while the three other seasons make for four distinct seasons. If it’s mountains you want, the Julian Alps are a stone’s throw away. You will find yourself surrounded by history wherever you go. The region has been settled for over 200,000 years, and today’s Slovenia is filled with castles, charming old villages, and a natural diversity you would not expect in such a small nation.Inside the many churches as well as museums, you will find the rich legacy left behind by many artists and craftsmen. Regardless of what you are looking for, you will be surprised by all you encounter in that which you were not looking for. There are the Ljubljana Marshes, a large area of wetlands where some of the original peat dwellers lived in bogs in pile-like villages. And there are several great skiing areas that are extremely affordable, with weekly passes costing less than €100.Then there are the not to be missed “Karstic Field Areas,” which are huge cave complexes located underground that were formed by the dissolution of the softer minerals originally making up the composition of the underground areas, leaving behind spectacular structures of carbon aggregate – a must-see area for anyone interested in spelunking. And the best part is that is not commercially exploited. Visits are free, but of course it is highly recommended that you go there with an experienced guide, which makes it a pay for play area.Its historical background aligns the identity of the nation much more with Italy and Austria than with the Eastern Slavic nations. While Slovenia occupies a small strip on the Adriatic sea, it is primarily mountains and valleys that define this nation of just over 2,100,000 people who are spread out over 20,273 sq km. There is a solid base of practicing Roman Catholics, about 85%, the rest being divided between Orthodox, Muslim, and Protestant religions. Surprisingly enough, the largest minority are Atheists, at 10.1% and growing.The pint-sized capital of Ljubljana features as its main attraction that it has no major world attraction, allowing you to stroll at your leisure and take in the historical wealth of the town. With a population of only 300,000 people, you will never feel crowded. The city is divided, but only by a very lovely river, the Ljubljanica, there is adequate public transport, and the European Rail system serves the city very well. With direct trains to destination from Belgrade to Zurich and intercity buses reaching from Trieste (2 hours) to Stockholm (36 hours), you are never far away from your next adventure destination. Enjoy Slovenia before it is overrun.[image: Ljubjana, Slovenia, via Wikitravel]I encourage you to write to me, jamie@expatdailynews.com with any questions or suggestions you may have, and if necessary, we can establish a voice communication via Skype. Disclaimer: I am not in any travel related business. My advice is based on my own experiences, and is free of charge. (Donations accepted). It is always my pleasure to act as a beneficial counselor to those who are seekers of the next adventure.Jamie Douglas is an Adventurer, Writer and Photographer with an amazing array of Nikon equipment, and a lifetime of experience traveling and documenting. To contact him for assignments, email: jamie.douglas [at] yahoo.comSee more expat articles by Jamie at

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