More features:
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Why Slovenia? Part III
After my first two columns people generally seemed surprised that I'd been able to come up with so many reasons why an American would want to live in Slovenia, but I assure you that we've barely scratched the surface....
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Accommodation Slovenia
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Why Slovenia? Part II
Last time, I discussed why cobblestone, socialism, advertising and Rog's Pony bicycles all help to make Slovenia a better place to live than America....
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Celica: Ljubljana's prison-turned Hostel
Chosen by Lonely Planet as the 'Hippest Hostel in the World' last year, Celica was formerly a military prison in the Metelkova army barracks....
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Slovenian Humour
One of the most beautiful things about Slovenia is its size. The place is tiny. Yet you can still enjoy completely different regions, weather conditions, food, people and neighbouring countries, all within less than three hours driving....
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Wine tasting in Brda
Occupying 72km² of rolling hills between the Soča River and Italian border, Brda is one of Slovenia's foremost wine-growing areas and only an hour's drive from Ljubljana....
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Traffic penalties increased in Slovenia
Although the number of road deaths in Slovenia decreased dramatically after stiffer fines for traffic violations and drink driving were introduced in 2008, the penalties were again raised as of 1 July 2011....
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Slovenia Goes Green!
2010 is the year of green sLOVEnia! The country is all set to launch itself into the eco-tourism sector....
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Famous Slovenes: Žižek
With his only serious competition coming from an overweight alcoholic who floats down rivers, it's fairly safe to say that Slavoj Žižek is by far the most widely-known Slovene living today - which is no small feat given that his chosen profession is philosophy....
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Lake Bled Nominated For New 7 Wonders
Lake Bled is among the nominees vying to become one of the 7 new natural wonders of the world, which are to be announced by the Swiss not-for-profit organisation New Open World Corporation (NOWC) in 2011....
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Top 5 Slovenian Souvenirs
With so many things to chose from but limited suitcase space into which to cram stuff, deciding on what souvenirs to buy while in Ljubljana can be a daunting task....
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Lipica and The White Horses
If you are lucky enough to have been alive in the 1960's, cast your mind all the way back. If you were a child in Europe in those heady days, 'The White Horses' should mean something to you....
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Why Slovenia? Part I
When a Slovene meets a foreigner the first question they usually ask is the standard, 'Where are you from?' - which is understandable....
Slovenian Weather
Weather in Slovenia In a nutshell, Slovenian climate comprises hot summers and harsh winters. The latter seems to be due to its proximity to the alps, the former courtesy of the mediterranean tendencies of the Adriatic sea (and of course its latitude: 46°07'11.8" North). The average temperature in the summer is just over 20°C although daytime highs often reach 30-35°C
, in winter the mercury seldom rises above zero, and can plunge as low as minus 15°C in
Ljubljana (in the mountains even -47°C
has been recorded) - fairly extreme then.
The stuff in between the high seasons is that which is really interesting. On the surface it looks like spring and autumn are rather like the English climate, more unsettled with wind and lots of showers. However, this is when the weather can be the most extreme (and fascinating). For instance, May 2009 saw many storms, some with hail the size of cricket balls! The temperature prior to one such storm in the middle of the month had been above 30°C. The very next day, after a thunderous night and early morning the thermometres barely broke into double figures (the high being a brisk 12°C). Some people would say quite extreme, but at least it's not boring like the weather in Manchester, England ('mild' all year round with plenty of wind and LOTS of rain).
In short, come to Slovenia if you like a temperate continental climate (the east in spring or autumn), warm mediterranean weather (the west from April to October) or changeable Alpine conditions (the north/north-west all year round). And if you want a taste of all three, go to Cerknica or Vipava, approximately halfway between Ljubljana and the coast - featuring a beautiful disappearing Karst lake and valley full of picturesque vinyards (respectively). The latter also has another phenomenon associated with the meeting of the mountainous and maritime - 'burja' (bora) winds, rushing at up to 200kph from the peaks to the sea. The plural, Slovenian climates, as we can see is somewhat more appropriate than the singular.
Slovenian Weather comments
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I am arriving this evening in Bled and I am looking foreward to see with my own eyes the beautiful environment that you are promising us! hope also to find cool weather because here in Malta it is quite hot! See you!!!