Tourist Excursions

Ljubljana Sightseeing

Friday, September 23, 20.00-21.00, meeting point Prešeren Square (see map)


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Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is a dynamic Central European city. Ljubljana’s geographical position has governed its colourful past, since it is situated on a natural passage leading from Central Europe to the Mediterranean and towards the East called the “Ljubljana Gate”. It is not by pure coincidence that trade routes and waves of migration have passed through it since centuries. From the times of the first settler’s right down to the present day, the transit character of this area has stimulated the constant growth of economic and cultural ties with other cities and nations. From its very beginnings, Ljubljana’s culture and lifestyle has been attuned to contemporary currents in Europe, while both the Central European and the Mediterranean spirit have influenced the temperament of its residents. Ljubljana’s appearance and flair has charmed many visitors. The traveller will find here a unique combination of a tranquil capital city bubbling with the spiritual energy of the nation. It is the political and cultural heart of the Slovenian nation. Its geographical position in the centre of Europe has determined Ljubljana as a natural meeting place for merchants and soldiers as well as - and more than once - peacemakers. The victors of the Napoleonic wars selected this peaceful city as the site of the Holy Alliance congress, which in 1821 sealed the European political geography for years to come.

In Ljubljana the old meets the new; and it seems that history has spent all of the settlement's five millennia preparing it to become the nation's capital. It has managed to retain traces from all periods of its rich history; from the legacy of Roman Emona; through to the Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau periods characterized in the house fronts and ornate doorways of the city centre, the romantic bridges adorning the Ljubljanica river, the lopsided rooftops and a park reaching deep into the city centre. Here eastern and western cultures met; and the Italian concept of art combined with the sculptural aesthetics of Central European cathedrals.

The city owes its present appearance partly to Italian baroque and partly to Art Nouveau, which is the style of the numerous buildings erected immediately after the earthquake of 1895. In the first half of the 20th century, modern Ljubljana was shaped by the strong personal style of Jože Plečnik, a great European architect and a local of Ljubljana. The cityscape was complemented by his modernist followers as well as by creations of the "New Wave" of acknowledged young architects. All the different facets of Ljubljana blend harmoniously into a single image.

The tour includes a walk past the major sights of the old part of Ljubljana with an English-speaking guide.

Price: free for registered participants
Please register for the tour using the registration form or at the registration desk.

Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle

Saturday, September 24, 9.00-15.00

This half day excursion will take you to the biggest and worldwide known Slovenian cave system - the Postojna Cave. A two million years old and 27 km long system of subterranean caves is one of the most easily accessible networks of underground caves in the world. A ride by electrical train will be followed by a guided walk through a series of cave halls with drop stones, pillars and translucent curtains that create unforgettable impressions. The underworld system is a home of the mysterious, unique and rare amphibian Proteus Anguinus, or “human fish” as it is popularly called here.

Only 9 km away stands one of the most interesting baroque castles of Slovenia, the Predjama Castle. It hangs dramatically in the middle of 123 m high rocky cliff.

Price: 65 EUR per person (min 15 persons)
Please register for the tour using the registration form or at the registration desk.

Included:

Meeting point: SNC'11 Registration desk

Please note that the temperature in the caves is approximately 8 degrees Celsius. Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes!

Lake Bled

Sunday, September 25, 14.00-19.00

Often described as the ‘Image of Paradise’, the Alpine resort town of Bled will enchant you with its emerald-green lake, fairytale-like island and imposing castle reigning on top of a rocky cliff. This harmonious mix of beautiful nature, rich history and genuine hospitality has been attracting visitors for centuries. It was here that the Yugoslavia Royal Family once had a summer residence, later replaced by the summer residence of President Tito, which can still be seen by the lake.

After an enjoyable 56 km drive from Ljubljana, we board a traditional ‘pletna’ boat and smoothly glide over the lake to visit the only Slovenian island. Its top is crowned with a little church, and you will have an opportunity to ring the mysterious wishing bell. A scenic road takes us around the lake and to the medieval castle perched high on a cliff. Built over a thousand years ago, it was once an unconquerable property of the Bishops of Brixen. Today, it attracts visitors with its museum, and demonstrations of old crafts and traditions, not to mention the breathtaking view of the surroundings.

Price: 68 EUR per person (min 15 persons)
Please register for the tour using the registration form or at the registration desk.

Included:

Meeting point: SNC'11 Registration desk

Registration

Please register for the tourist excursions using the online registration form at https://events.cd-cc.si/ei/Projekti/2011/SNC11/snc11.htm or at the registration desk.

Note

If minimum number of persons is not reached, the program may be cancelled, substituted by another program with notice to participants, or may proceed at altered rate with the consent of all participants.

Cancellation

All cancellations must be sent in writing to Conference Secretariat. For cancellations received before September 2, 2011, an administrative fee in the amount of 10 EUR will be charged to your credit card or applied toward the refund of payment made by bank transfer. Cancellations received after September 2, 2011 are not refundable.

Page last updated: Sunday, September 11th 2011


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