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My husband, Billy, and I are fortunate to have been able to live and work internationally for almost 20 years. Places we've called home include a beach house on the Bay of Naples with a view of Ischia, a summer flat in Puerto Sherry (Spain), an elegant downtown apartment in Wiesbaden (Germany), a forest  bungalow in the Netherlands, a three-acre spread by Lake Travis in Austin, and our home in New Mexico, which we still maintain. We've also traveled to Belize, Barbados, Cyprus, Mexico, the Canary Islands, Alaska, Tunisia, most of Western Europe, parts of Eastern Europe and Russia. What we've discovered in our wanderings is a combination of the elementswe value most in this little country of just over 20,000 sq. km. With this, plus ease of access (one hour's drive from Venice to the Slovenian border), excellent roads without the traffic or congestion, plus a crime rate so low you can leave your car unlocked just about anywhere, it's easy to understand why we are so enchanted. Slovenia is its own unique mixture of the Romanic, Germanic and Slavic cultures. Iztok Humar, our friend and colleague, who is also a published author, real estate agent, political activist, ecologist and horse breeder, expresses modern Slovenian history this way, "My father was born under Austrian rule, educated by the Italians, fought for Yugoslavia. I and my sons are Slovenian....and the trees in this square have always remained the same."  We have spent many enjoyable months traveling the length and breadth of Slovenia with Iztok and his charming wife, Ingrid. Without their friendship and interest in exposing us to the soul of Slovenia, our understanding of their country and culture would have lacked depth and the poetry. We are forever grateful and endlessly fascinated. Bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, Slovenia is not part of the volatile Balkans geographically or psychologically, and has never suffered the hardships or deprivations so prevalent in that region. Iztok says that although life was good under Tito, Slovenians never identified themselves as Yugoslavian. President Clinton, who has visited Slovenia several times, holds this misunderstood country up to the world as an example of what can be accomplished politically and economically in a very short time.

Diane Taylor is a registered representative, who sells mutual funds and insurance to U.S. government and military personnel stationed in Europe. A native of California who has worked in Europe for half of her adult life, she and her husband also keep a home in New Mexico. Members may write to her at Via Pordenone 12, 33070 Budoia (PN) Italy. Or send e-mail to: taylorbd76@hotmail.com -  The Slovenia border is an hour's drive from Venice, Italy.  The country has a pop. of 2 million inhabiting 20,000 sq. km. of beautiful alpine forest and lakes.

Slovenians are eager for American commercial interest in their country. Unlike in Italy, corporate and residency requirements are minimal.
 

Diane Taylor has compiled a list of resources on the nation of Slovenia.  They are listed below. BOOKS Lonely Planet, Slovenia by Steve Fallon, 1998, 344 pages, $15.95. Slovenia has many cities and towns worth visiting, and they're all detailed here. It starts off with a brief history and an overview of the ecology. Maps, advice on getting around are included. So are vocabulary lists and a number of attractive but small photos. One of the reviewers at Amazon.com called this book the best in the series, which is saying quite a lot. In any event, there are no volumes to rival it. Discover Slovenia is a small paperback detailing places to visit and cultural and artistic activities. Published and sold in Slovenia. OTHER PUBLICATIONS Slovenia Weekly is a political and business newsletter published in English. MM Slovenija is a monthly magazine in English devoted to business and tourism. Slovenia, bordered by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, is its own unique mixture of the Romanic, Germanic, and Slavic cultures. ORGANIZATIONS Expats Anonymous, an informal get-together for English speaking expats meets in the evening of the first Friday of every month. Contact Lejla Trump in Ljubljana at 320-339 or e-mail, info@wagner.net. Slovene International Ladies Association encourages social, cultural and educational exchange among its members, who represent a total of 30 countries. Meeting are the second Tuesday of every month at 10 AM. Contact Nelly Jennicek at 161-3531. Association for the Promotion of Women in Culture (City of Women), Kersnikova 4, 1000 Ljubljana; Tel. 01 438 15 80, fax 01 438 15 85, e-mail, info@cityofwomen-a.si Or visit their web-site at www.cityofwomen-a.si. American Center has electronic resource materials, open by appointment only, Cankerjeva 11, tel. 200-2180, fax, 126-4284 and on the web at www.usis.si. The British Council has a library and resource center, occasional lectures. Cankerjevo nabrezje 17, tel. 125-9292 and on the web at www.britishcouncil.si. SLOVENIA FOR TRAVELERS GETTING AROUND Buses from other countries stop in various towns. Train service is good, but not as extensive. Ljubljana has a good public bus system but the map may be too great a challenge for most visitors. Get help from the tourist office before setting out. Deciphering the schedule and the map may be too great a challenge for most visitors; get help from the tourist office before setting out. ACCOMMODATIONS Still cheaper than neighboring Italy or Austria, Slovenia lets visitors travel in style for about US$100 a day. Those who opt for guesthouses and eat at medium-priced restaurants might spend $70 and budget travelers can get by for as little as $35.   Mid-range hotels range from $30 to $60 a day, and it's possible to spend considerably more. There are other options, however including pensions, guesthouses and student hostels . Private homes in many towns offer rooms for rent through the local tourist office. Farmhouses also offer rooms for travelers. Contact the Association of Tourist Farms of Slovenia, Trnoveljska 1, 3000 Celje, tel. 063 34 521 or fax 063 34 404; e-mail, ztks@siol.net. MONEY The best exchange rates are usually in banks, and there are a number of private exchange firms which charge no commission and are open longer hours. Some ATMs are accessible to foreign account holders, and more are coming online. Credit card holders can get cash advances in tolars from some banks. Tipping in restaurants isn't customary, although some add a 10% service charge. Taxi drivers aren't tipped but are pleased if you round up the fare. Credit cards are accepted at upscale restaurants, shops and hotels, but elsewhere you must use cash. A VAT tax varies with the item and can be as high as 20%. Seniors over 60 holding an international RES card can get discounts of 30% to 50% on railway tickets, museum admissions. EATING OUT, ENTERTAINMENT In Ljubljana and other resort towns, the menu is usually in several languages, although sometimes the essence of a dish is lost in the translation. Slovenians like sports, and skiing is the most popular and it's affordable. Along with Italy and Austria, it will host the winter Olympics in 2006. Slovenia is a nation of equestrians. For a directory of events in English, be sure to get a copy of Where to? in Ljubjana at the Tourist Information Center.   THE SPAS Ask about spas in Slovenia and you'll find the entire country is dotted with spas. One of the best known is Rogaska Slatina, about three hours from Ljubljana by bus. The water here contains calcium, sulphate, lithium and bromide, among other things. You can drink the water or bath in it, or undergo a complete cure. Jerry Newmark, a friend of the Network based in Tarzana, CA, has been visiting here since before the end of the communist era. He explains that he and his wife were invited by Austrian friends to join them there. "It's a little paradise in a valley surrounded by mountains and by forest," he explains. They stay at Hotel Sava for a week every year. Their suite, with a separate living room, has a refrigerator and their balcony looks out over the valley and the mountain. The regime begins with a physical exam, then they choose from treatments which can include mud baths, mineral baths, massage, foot treatments or working with a personal trainer. Three types of meals are available at the hotel: low calorie, light and normal. The cost, including room, meals and treatments, is about $60 a day per person. He notes, too, that Rogaska is also famous for its crystal. For more information, contact the Slovenian Tourist Board, Dunajska 156, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; tel.: +386 1 5891 858; fax: +386 1 5891 841, www.slovenia-tourism.si/ Some Slovenian Wesites  www.uvi.si/eng/index.html www.slovenia-tourism.si/eindex.htm (tourism) www.tradepoint.si/general/ http://www.ess.gov.si/ (jobs) www.ijs.si/slo/ljubljana/univlj.html  http://www.emulateme.com/content/slovenia.htm

Diane Taylor is a registered representative, who sells mutual funds and insurance to U.S. government and military personnel stationed in Europe. A native of California who has worked in Europe for half of her adult life, she and her husband also keep a home in New Mexico. Members may write to her at Via Pordenone 12, 33070 Budoia (PN) Italy. Or send e-mail to taylorbd76@hotmail.com -

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