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The Ljubljana Tourist Board has in summer 2008 launched a new destination website covering the Slovenian capital and its wider metropolitan area. The website, located at www.visitljubljana.si, showcases the tourism product of Ljubljana and its 23 surrounding municipalities and presents Ljubljana as a base for exploring Slovenia.

The new website, co-financed by the European Fund for Regional Development, began to be developed in June 2007. It is available in five languages.

The new Ljubljana website, which is an integral part of the new tourism development strategy 2007-2013, is intended for all segments of visitors to the city. It gives a

comprehensive overview of the tourism offerings of both Ljubljana and 23 surrounding municipalities.

The primary mission of the new website is to enable users to arrange their entire visit online. The website’s contents are available in five languages, including Slovenian, English, German, Italian and French.

The design of the new website is aimed at delivering an optimum user experience. The website’s central pillar consists of contents intended for leisure visitors to Ljubljana, while the second and the third pillars of contents are tailored for journalists, travel professionals and meeting planers. The website contents are supported by an integrated and interactive tourist map.

Baby Girl named LjubljanaMany believe that the name Ljubljana derives from the Slovenian term “luba” or “ljubljena”, meaning “the beloved”. This romantic explanation of the name fascinated a young Belgian couple, Laurence Heuschen and Alexandre Roland from Liège, who spent their holidays in Ljubljana back in 2002. They liked the legend so much that they named their first born girl Ljubljana. The mayor of Ljubljana has invited the family on a visit in spring 2009, which they have gladly accepted.

A Perfect Rendezvous, newsletter for travel trade professionalsPublisher: Ljubljana Tourist Board, Krekov trg 10, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Phone: +386 1 306 45 83, Fax: +386 1 306 45 94, e-mail: info@visitljubljana.si, www.visitljubljana.si;

Editorial board: Petra Stušek, Tatjana Radovič, Barbara Vajda, Grega Stopar

Production: Mediamix, Maribor; Head of advertising: Tadeja Mlinar, Mediamix; Phone: +386 2 235 05 56, e-mail: tadeja.mlinar@mediamix.si

Printed by: Schwarz d.o.o., Ob progi 4, 1360 Vrhnika, Number of copies: 10.000, Autumn/Winter 2008/09

Hot News!The new official tourism website of Ljubljana and its wider area at www.visitljubljana.si

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DRUZINA 235x325_evropaANG.pdf 9/10/2008 15:38:03

Ljubljana QualityLjubljana Tourism Quality Selection is a trademark designating top quality catering facilities, regardless of their price range and structure of services. Selecting the providers whose quality is above the average standard and presenting them through LTB communication channels will raise the overall quality in this sector.

With the aim of personalizing the website, a virtual guide enables users to save the contents they find interesting to user accounts of their own.

The new website currently offers online booking of hotels in Ljubljana (in collaboration with the German hotel reservation service HRS) and online purchase of the Ljubljana Card. Further online sales channels, such as those for event tickets and the booking of non-hotel accommodation,

Ljubljana Tourism official website

guided city tours and excursions to Ljubljana’s surrounding areas, have already been planned or are under development. Further plans include the development of web pages optimized for mobile phone and personal digital assistant users. Also under preparation is the concept for the development of a Web 2.0 site intended to enable the community of internet users to take an active part in the new website by exchanging their tips and opinions on Ljubljana’s tourism offerings and sharing their experiences of visits the city.

Ljubljana Castle Photo: D. Wedam

Photo: Private Archive

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Ljubljana has been long known as a traditional trade centre, connecting different Slovenian wine-growing regions, and even bears the international title of City of Wine and Grapevine. The first vine in Ljubljana was planted back in the times of the Roman Emona, on the slope of the present Castle Hill.

Following the Ljubljana Wine Route alongside the Banks of the Ljubljanica RiverOn the Saturday prior to St. Martin, Ljubljana celebrates the Festival of winemakers, when their must should turn into wine. Connoisseur and wine lovers do not miss a traditional happening – the Ljubljana Wine Route, which is a true „circle of pleasure“.

The event in 2008 is held on 8 November from 10.00 to 18.00. Visitors can taste different kinds of young wine with culinary delights from stalls set up in front of restaurants and cafés in the Old Town. Winegrowers offer a choice of over 25 different

kinds of young wine and an assortment of cheeses and breadsThe Ljubljana Wine Route, organized with the support of Ljubljana Tourist Board, is an event accompanying the Slovene Wine Festival, which takes place in November at the Hotel Slon. 55th International Wine CompetitionEvery year the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre hosts a unique and traditional global sensory challenge, the International Wine Competition.

Renowned international tasters from all continents bring their unique experience to the tasting. Along with a state of the art digital grading system, they are a guarantee for the highest degree of professionalism, objectivity and validity of the Ljubljana wine tasting.

The longstanding session has been a model for many other assessments around the world. In its past editions, it

A City for Wine Experts and Wine LoversLjubljana lies at the intersection of four different Slovenian regions, so a large number of the city’s restaurants offer culinary specialties and a wide selection of high-quality wines from around Slovenia.

New RestaurantsDowntown Ljubljana has acquired some new and exciting restaurants in the last months. To experience traditional Slovenian cuisine visit Pr’Potic on Stari trg square 21 while restaurant Most on Petkovškovo nabrežje embankment 21 will serve you with Mediterranean dishes. In Valvas’or on Stari trg 7 they serve international cuisine, while for dishes from the Balkans area head a bit out of the centre to Zlati zob on Zaloška cesta street 69. www.visitljubljana.si

Something FreshA local variety and pulse of the Primorska countryside is nestled in the heart of Old Ljubljana. The Kraševka shop at Ciril Metodov trg sqare 10 offers homemade and carefully selected food products from the Karst and Brkini region. www.krasevka.si

An unconventional café & shop, Bazilika, has opened on Miklošičeva ulica street 22. Their offer consists of their own brand of cosmetics and food. www.bazilika.si

Strong influences of the Danubian lands cuisine are also present, a consequence of a hundred years of coexistence in this part of Central Europe. Naturally we cannot speak of blind acceptance but rather of fusion into new forms of food in accordance with the various natural conditions and needs, which today make up the 24 different gastronomic regions of Slovenia. There is also a distinctive symbiosis with the culture of vines and wine in which original and indigenous wines (e.g. Šipon, Ranina, Cviček, Teran, Grganja, Klarnica, Rebula, Zelen, etc.) hold a special place.

The northeastern gastronomic regions developed in an environment of predominantly cereal cultures with farinaceous foods, flat cakes (e.g. Prekmurje Gibanica, buckwheat Krapec, Prlek Gibanica, Haloze Gibanica, Postržjača, Erpica, etc.) and meat dishes based on various pork meats at slaughter (Prekmurje slaughter, Prekmurje ham, Tünka, Zabel, etc.). Bread should also be mentioned when speaking about the farinaceous dishes of this part of Slovenia. The width and diversity of

bread heritage is exceptional and varies throughout Slovenia, but there is a number of specialties coming right from the Pannonian part of Slovenia. One of them is the braided loaf of white bread, which was usually presented as a gift upon marriage or childbirth. The rich image of bread with tightly woven braids symbolizes children.

Supreme quality is personified in the entire Slovene and international environment by the Kranjska sausage, which is a part of a great treasury of regional knowledge and culinary technologies along with other short and long lasting meat products. The Kranjska sausage became a protected brand in 2008 and the village of Sora near Medvode has this year hosted the 5th annual “Best sausage” competition.

An important role in the local cuisine is also held by sauerkraut, turnips, legumes, potatoes and a number of various vegetable and meat stews or “spoon dishes”. The culture of potatoes and potato dishes is actually one of the younger ones in terms of

Taste SloveniaThe gastronomy of Slovenia is marked by great variety and diversity. It has been shaped for centuries by a distinctive creativity at the meeting point of the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Pannonian lowlands, as well as certain flavours from the Balkans after the First and Second World War.

has awarded medals and prizes to many local and global wine producers, who nowadays enjoy a high standing in the industry.

The Ljubljana Wine Competition has since its inception had the full support of all three most important world organizations for the sensory analysis of wine:- International Organisation

of Vine and Wine (OIV)- International Association of

Enologists from Paris (UIŒ) and

- the World Federation of International Wine and Spirits Assessment from Montreal (VINOFED)

The next, 55th International Wine Competition will take place from 29 May to 1 June 2009.

Tasting high quality Slovenian winePhoto: Archive of Slovenian Wine Festival

COOLinary FestivalThe Festival will offer various kinds of cheese, prosciutto and dried meat products, bread, oil, vinegar, honey, truffles, chocolate, spices and other Slovenian delicacies. The 1st COOLinary Festival will take place alongside the 11th Slovenian Wine Festival at the Slon Hotel in the center of Ljubljana: on Thursday, 20 Nov 2008, 13.00-21.00 and on Friday, 21 Nov 2008, 13.00-21.00.

Slovenian EveningsTo experience genuine folklore music and dancing alongside a typical dinner, there’s no need to go to the countryside. Židana Marela (www.zidanamarela.si) organises Slovenian folklore dinner shows on Wednesdays and Fridays at a central location, while the oldest inn in Ljubljana, Šestica (www.sestica.si), offers folklore-themed dinners in their renovated premises on Fridays.

development, but its popularity is not lacking in any respect. This is proven by a rather distinctive organization - the Society for Acceptance of Roast Potatoes as an Independent Dish, which has over 2000 members and organizes annual festivals of roast potatoes and has international ties. Among the farinaceous dishes the most common are dumplings, sweet or salty, cooked or fried with various cheese, egg, fruit, vegetable and meat stuffing. Written testimonials of this dish date back to the 15th century. The same holds true for the most common sweet of salty festive “Potica” cake. There

are over 120 different types of Potica, the most distinctive stuffing being dragon’s wort, followed by honey, cracklings or ham, walnuts, chives and others.

The restaurants, guest houses and tourist farms of the Mediterranean or “Primorska” region of Slovenia offer some of the most inviting and quality food, based on rich tradition and gastronomic heritage with Pršut - Karst dried ham, olives and olive oil, goat and sheep’s milk cheese, egg omelettes with herbs, meat and vegetable stews and riches of the Adriatic sea. Now “Bon appetit” or “God bless” - to each his own. By Janez Bogataj, PhD

Pršut - Karst dried hamPhoto: D. Dubokovič

Photo: A. PavanPhoto: V. Lamovšek

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From clothing boutiques selling Slovenian brand names to the studio where they knit a piece for you to measure, or dye silk based on your own idea. Ljubljana’s city centre shops offer, among other things, fashion wear from leading international brand names, clothing by a number of interesting local designers, glassware, crystalware, antiques, as well as contemporary and traditional Slovenian arts and crafts items. The entire offer of Ljubljana’s Old Town is collected in the booklet Old Ljubljana invites you, which can be bought in the Tourist Information Centre.

Ljubljana’s markets,

particularly the Central Market, designed by the famous architect Jože Plečnik, are excellent places for both shopping and socializing. Ljubljana’s open market between Triple and Dragon Bridge will definitely remain in memories as the most colourful shopping experience: in spring it is red cherries and the first radishes. In the summer the entire market radiates in the warm colours of peaches, watermelons, cantaloupes. During autumn everybody hurries to buy their winter stores. In the winter life slows down and people like to buy hams, sausages, sauerkraut and turnips.

Shop-hopping in Ljubljana

“Butanoga” BoutiquePhoto: B. Pilih

Selection of Events in 2009

Ljubljana’s Old Town is full of special little stores: from the chocolate shop where they offer Prešeren cubes to the jewellery where his pet raven creates with the jeweller.

Special Edition featuring selected shops

The BTC City shopping centre, 3 km away from city centre, caters for sports and leisure interests just as well as for shopping needs. It incorporates an exciting 15,000 sqm water park called Vodno mesto Atlantis (Atlantis Water Park), which consists of 15 swimming pools in three themed sections: Adventure World including a children’s area, Thermal Temple and Sauna Land, the latter offering a comprehensive wellness programme. In December 2008, a so called Wellness Corner will be added to the existing range of facilities.

Wellness is a new global state of mind about health and well-being with a special emphasis on doing something good for oneself while one is still healthy.

The changes to the present Atlantis Water Park will include the conversion of the existing Sauna Land’s sunny first floor terrace into a 140 sqm relaxation area with comfortable sunloungers, water beds and relaxing music, and an 80 sqm massage parlour containing six massage beds and offering a wide range of Thai massage treatments. Another new addition, built on the gallery of the Thermal Temple, will be a Panthermal oxygen chamber, known for its detoxifying, weight-loss, nourishing and anti-stress effects. As the temperature in the chamber does not exceed 42 degrees Celsius, oxygen treatments are suitable also for people with blood pressure problems who are advised to avoid Turkish baths and Finnish saunas.

Fairy-Tale DecemberDuring the last month of the year, a special time full of joy and new expectations, Ljubljana is a perfect getaway. This is due to its relaxed Christmas atmosphere and festively decorated Old Town but also because of a vast variety of events for people of all ages and tastes.

Ljubljana offers from 3 December to the beginning of January a variety of events as part of the Festive December in Ljubljana festival. The festival culminates on 31 December in the open-air celebrations.

People, Let’s Turn on the Light!3 Dec, 17:00-18:00; Prešernov trg squareThe Festive December in Ljubljana will begin on 3 December, the birth anniversary of the greatest Slovenian poet, France Prešeren, when a gathered crowd of Ljubljanians and visitors will be able to experience the moment when all the city’s festive lights will be switched on by the mayor of Ljubljana.

St. Nicholas Fair3-6 Dec, 10:00-20:00; Prešernov trg square Festively decorated stalls will be offering various goods suitable, according to Slovenian tradition, as St. Nicholas gifts.

St. Nicholas Procession5 Dec, 17:00; Krekov trg square, Ciril-Metodov trg square, Stritarjeva ulica street, Prešernov trg squareSt. Nicholas will be accompanied by a procession of devils and angels, who will be distributing biscuits, fruits and sweets to children.

Festive Fair3 Dec - 2 Jan, 10:00-20:00; Cankarjevo nabrežje embankment, Prešernov trg square, Hribarjevo and Petkovškovo nabrežje embankment, Wolfova ulica streetFestively decorated stalls will be selling selected items suitable as Christmas and New Year gifts.

Fairy-Tale Town26-30 Dec, 16:30-19:00; Zvezda parkLjubljana’s Zvezda park will be hosting a wide and varied programme of events for children and adults.

Grandpa Frost Processions26-30 Dec, 17:00-19:00; Krekov trg square, Ciril-Metodov trg square, Stritarjeva ulica street, Prešernov trg square, Zvezda parkA few days before the New Year, Ljubljana will see Grandpa Frost (the Slovenian variant of Santa Claus) arrive from the North accompanied by horsemen on the backs of white Lipizzaner horses, snowmen, little Dragons of Ljubljana, etc.

Events held in the Prešernov trg square 26-30 Dec, 1-2 Jan, 20:00-22:00; Prešernov trg squareThe Festive December in Ljubljana festival traditionally extends into January, when it concludes with a festive concert. The programme of festive events held in the Prešernov trg square traditionally features concerts by pop singers and bands.

Outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Prešernov trg square Photo: D. Wedam

Shrovetide CarnivalEvery year on Shrove Saturday, a carnival procession marches across Old Ljubljana as a part the traditional Shrovetide Carnival, which includes a programme of entertainment for children and adults. The carnival procession consists of groups of traditional and other themed carnival figures from Slovenia and abroad, reflecting current domestic and international political affairs, plus primary school children, cheerleaders,

Outdoor New Year’s Eve celebrations- in the Mestni trg

square 31 Dec, 21:00-2:00; The New Year’s Eve celebration held in the Mestni trg square is traditionally intended for the more sophisticated audiences.

- in the Prešernov trg square

31 Dec, 21:00-3:00; The New Year’s Eve celebration held in the Prešernov trg square is intended for people of all ages and tastes.

- in the Kongresni trg square

31 Dec, 21:00-3:00; The New Year’s Eve celebration held in the Kongresni trg square is mainly intended for young people.

brass bands and the country’s exceptional traditional carnival figures. These are “kurenti” from the town of Ptuj, “orači”, “pokači” and “laufarji” from the town of Cerklje, “godlarji” from the village of Šenčur and “morostarji” (marshmen) from Ljubljana. In the end, masqueraders and spectators gather and enjoy a programme of music and entertainment. They also treat themselves to big jam-filled doughnuts, traditionally made for Shrovetide. The 2009 Shrovetide Carnival is set to be held on Saturday 21 February.

Photo: B. Čeak

Collecta 2009, 27 – 29 Mar3rd international collectors’ fair bringing together philatelists, numismatists, cartophiles and collectors of antiquities, militaria, telephone cards and other collectables from around the world.www.gr-sejem.si

Viva Mexico Festival – Festival of Mexican Culture, 3 Mar – 18 JulThe Festival, held under the common title “Remote Cultures at the Cankarjev dom” will include, among other, archaeological and photographic exhibitions, performances, film screenings, literary readings by Mexican authors. www.cd-cc.si

Gibanica, 18 – 22 Feb4th Slovene Dance Festival, organised every second year, is a condensed presentation of topical Slovene dance production. www.cd-cc.si

11th International Documentary Film Festival, 23 – 30 MarAn annual festival offering an insight into contemporary documentary film production and pursuing its mission to get to the core of social and political problems. www.cd-cc.si

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Ljubljana’s famous architect Jože Plečnik (1872-1957) is considered to be one of the world’s most important pioneers of contemporary architecture. Each of his creations was based on deep philosophical ideas and symbolic meanings. His oeuvre left a distinct mark on three central European cities: Vienna,

Prague and, in particular, Ljubljana. His creations dating from the period after 1921, when he returned from abroad, make the so called Plečnik’s Ljubljana one of the 20th century’s most prominent total works of art.

The tour of Plečnik’s Ljubljana offers a detailed insight into most of the

city’s centrally located sights designed by Plečnik. Among other things, it reveals the story about Plečnik’s famous Triple Bridge. Before it was built, a single bridge had stood on its site. As it grew too narrow, instead of demolishing it, Plečnik added two side bridges, solved the space problem,

entirely separated vehicle from pedestrian traffic and thus constructed the safest bridge in Slovenia. In addition, he enhanced the character of the Prešernov trg square by providing a funnel-shaped link between six different streets running into the square from six different directions.

Plečnik’s Market colonadesPhoto: D. Wedam

A Red Building in White LjubljanaThe former Cooperative Business Bank building, located in Miklošičeva ulica street, is one of Ljubljana’s most famous buildings. The brightly colored Art Nouveau building with its richly decorated façade was built in 1921 to the design by architect Ivan Vurnik. Souvenirs with the image of the building and other images of Ljubljana Art Nouveau are available in TIC Ljubljana Shop on Stritarjeva Street.

The Year of Trubar Primož Trubar (1508-1586) is one the most important figures to contribute to the development of Slovenian culture. His most important legacy includes the books Catechismus and Abecedarium, the first two books ever printed in Slovenian, and published in 1550.

Boat Rides along the RiverTo sail along the Ljubljanica, a river of seven names, and experience new views of the city, you can choose from a colourful fleet of river craft for hire and a range of different tourist boat tours, either regular or arranged by appointment. Tourist boat rides offer an opportunity to see Ljubljana and its numerous famous buildings and bridges from a different angle and get out of the city’s hustle and bustle while actually staying in the very city centre.

Tourist boats depart from the Ribji trg pier, located in the immediate vicinity of the Triple Bridge, and sail under several

famous bridges. Private boats are available to larger groups.

During the festive December days, the sights of Ljubljana, wrapped in the glow of Christmas lights, can be seen from aboard the glazed and heated tourist boats Ljubljana 1 and 2. www.visitljubljana.si

A Special Interest Tour Detailed insight into Plečnik’s Ljubljana highlights on a walking tour

Discover the city from the river Photo: D. Wedam

Photo: B. Cvetkovic

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Both galleries are positioned in public and very vibrant parts of the city, making them easily accessible and available to everybody. And not just by day, galleries can be viewed anytime, day or night, every

day of the week.In the past years many

photographers from Slovenia and abroad displayed their images of people, architecture and landscape there. The galleries also exhibited

children’s drawings, confirming that anybody can be an artist and the art is for everyone.

Looking Ahead... is the name of a new photographic exhibition

marking the 50th anniversary of TV Slovenija. This exhibition brings together photographic footage of moments in the history of the national TV station. It covers the early days of pilot broadcasting, the station’s flagship shows, famous film productions, popular presenters, the most exciting sports events and more.

The exhibition is open until 29 October 2008 at the Tivoli park’s Jakopič Promenade.

The Best in Industrial DesignEvery other year, Ljubljana hosts a major international exhibition of industrial design, visual communications and design concepts entitled the Biennial of Industrial Design (BIO). The forthcoming 21st BIO exhibition will be held from 3 Oct to 2 Nov 2008 in the Architecture Museum at Fužine Castle. Industrial design products from 18 counties to be presented at the BIO exhibition have been carefully selected by an international committee, which will award BIO medals to the best designers. www.bio.si

LIFFeThe 19th Ljubljana International Film Festival (LIFFe) takes place at the Cankarjev Dom Cultural and Congress centre and other venues from 12 to 23 Nov 2008. The LIFFe festival offers an insight into the very best in European and international film production. www.liffe.si

Virtual MuseumVisitors of the Ljubljana Castle can experience two millennia of the city’s history at the Virtual Museum. City squares of the past and the castle were reconstructed with the aid of the most advanced technology – for your explorations in the world of virtual reality. www.ljubljanafestival.si

Open-air GalleriesLjubljana has two very special galleries, one in Tivoli park at the Jakopič Promenade and another on the embankment of the Ljubljanica river. What makes them special is their open-air concept.

The Mestni trg square with the Town Hall and the Robba Fountain are a must on the itinerary of every visitor to Ljubljana.

Francesco Robba was sculpting the fountain from 1743 to 1751 - the process was so long

and materials so expensive that he almost went bankrupt at the time. A copy, an exact replica of the original and even made from the same material, was done by contemporary Slovenian sculptors and is now displayed at the original location on the Mestni trg square. The original was moved to the National Gallery to protect it from the natural elements and can be now

seen free of charge in the lobby of the new gallery building.

The Robba Fountain is also known as The Fountain of Three Carniolan Rivers, because it shows three Slovenian rivers – the Sava, Krka and Ljubljanica. It was restored many times, particularly after the big earthquake of 1895 and later, when Plečnik made new plans for the bottom part of the fountain and surrounding area. The last restoration began in 1979 and was finished in 2006. www.visitljubljana.si

Robba Fountain’s New Home

Jakopič Promenade in Tivoli

Photo: D. Marc

The Robba Fountain

Photo: B. Kladnik

It brings together over 300 important works by Slovenian Impressionist painters and their contemporary sculptors, photographers and architects. While the works are displayed in the spaces of the National Gallery, the exhibition’s central information point is located in the pavilion on the edge of the Zvezda park, in the centre of Ljubljana. The exhibition brings together works drawn from the National Gallery’s permanent collections and, specially for the occasion, private collections from Slovenia and abroad. It provides an insight into the development of Slovenian Early Modernism by showing the work of its towering figures,

the Impressionist painters Ivan Grohar, Rihard Jakopič, Matija Jama and Matej Sternen, the work of their contemporaries, and comparative materials illuminating the broader social and artistic context of the period. The film-maker Karol Grossmann, the writer Ivan Cankar, the photographer Avgust Berthold and the sculptors Franc Berneker and Ivan Zajec, the latter best known for his monument to France Prešeren, are just a few distinguished figures of a time so significant for Slovenian national consciousness. For the Slovenians, the period also marked the birth of modern visual communication, which

soon diffused from traditional art forms to film, photography, book illustration, and book and poster design.

The first part of the exhibition deals with the Ljubljana earthquake of 1895 and the city’s reconstruction during the term of office of the famous mayor Ivan Hribar, when architecture in Ljubljana was given a new impetus. Featured artists include three pioneers of modern architecture in Slovenian inhabited areas, namely Jože Plečnik, Ivan Vurnik, and Maks Fabiani, the designer of the Art Nouveau Ljubljana. Works by Slovenian artists are situated

within the context of European artistic movements of the time. Particular attention is given to Anton Ažbe and his school of painting in Munich, which was a cradle of Slovenian Impressionism and a place where a number of world renowned artists such as Vasily Kandinsky received education. As 2008 is the 90th anniversary of the foundation of Ljubljana’s National Gallery, an important part of the exhibition is dedicated to Slovenian national art institutions.

The exhibition will be on view at the National Gallery on Prešernova cesta 10 until 9 February 2009. www.ng-slo.si.By Meta Stvarnik

The Enchanted Light of Slovenian ImpressionistsIn April 2008 Ljubljana’s National Gallery opened a large-scale exhibition entitled Slovene Impressionists and Their Time 1890-1920.

National GalleryPhoto: LTB archive

Sejalec by Ivan GroharPhoto: LTB archive

World Book Capital 2010The announcement was made at the end of the selection committee meeting held at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters on 18 June 2008. The meeting brought together representatives of three major professional book industry associations and UNESCO. Ljubljana was selected on the basis of data about the Slovenian book market and a proposed programme of World Book Capital celebrations. www.ljubljana.si

This famous fountain can be seen in its natural environment, but also in the lobby of the National Gallery.

Photo: LTB ArchivePhoto: AML Archive

New Convention DevelopmentsCankarjev dom Cultural and Congress Centre - hand in hand with time Cankarjev dom (CD), the congress venue with the largest auditorium-style seating in Slovenia, is in the mid of a dynamic investment cycle. The project took off with the total refurbishment of the 2nd Foyer, completed in late 2006, and has subsequently continued with the CD Club, set at the top level of the building. As of early 2008, this function space has acquired a high-tech, aesthetically designed interior and a new flexibility. With stunning views of the nearby Old Town on one side and of the Tivoli Park on the other, CD Club has always been a very attractive event venue and is now even more firmly positioning itself among the prime locations in Slovenia.

The central part (450 sqm) holds the capacity of 255 seats, while the foyer (140 sqm)

and, in warmer months, the panoramic terrace (100 sqm) can provide extra space for catering. The venue is suitable for receptions with up to 300 guests or, alternatively, about 200 guests for gala dinners.

The investment plans at Cankarjev dom do not end here, as the revamped Kosovel Hall (230 seats, theatre-style) in the 2nd Foyer reopens in early autumn, while the next three years foresee a gradual, soft refurbishment of the two largest conference halls (2,000 and 615 seats, respectively) and of the 1st Foyer level. An additional elevator is also to be built as to facilitate the access to the CD Club. All these improvements are clearly aimed at upgrading the functionality of the congress centre and increasing its competitiveness on the international meetings market. www.cd-cc.si

Tourism and Leisure FairEach year in January, Slovenian tourism and leisure providers gather at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre for a Tourism and leisure fair. It is intended for the general public as well as for tour operators and journalists wanting to know more about Slovenia and tourism in the region. At the next edition of the fair, set to be held from 22 to 25 Jan 2009, the Ljubljana Tourist Board will be welcoming visitors at the Plečnik Coffee House, set up in its exhibition booth. www.gr-sejem.si:

CD Club

Photo: I. Lapajne

Ljubljana Exhibition & Convention Centre – GR

Photo: GR Archive

Enhanced flexibility for meetings at the Ljubljana Exhibition & Convention CentreThe Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, whose local acronym is GR, is expanding its meeting facilities early this autumn by creating new function space within the Marble Hall complex, which now consists of the plenary and five flexible breakout rooms, named Urška.

Four additional smaller halls on a surface area of 580 sqm will complement the existing state-of-the-art convention space that was extensively renovated in 2005. The new breakouts are also designed to provide a multipurpose solution for a range of events - from conferences and seminars to banquets and exhibitions. Their maximum capacity is 500 seats theatre-style or 250 for a banquet, while in terms of individual room size, they range

from 108 to 212 sqm. The Marble Hall, which can

be partitioned in two equal sections, will thus upgrade into an independent congress centre within the GR complex. With the new development, its maximum plenary capacity of 1,400 seats theatre-style is to be enhanced by a total of nine breakout rooms under the same roof. The possibility of using a separate entrance from the GR courtyard is especially attractive for evening functions.

The four new halls are to be called Water Man, while the nine breakouts altogether are to be named “Urška and the Water Man”, taking an inspiration from two fictional personages who were immortalised in the verses of the major Slovenian poet, France Prešeren. Even the lovely fountain in the GR courtyard bears the same name, as a memento of the same legend. www.gr-sejem.si

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Conventa 2009The Conventa meetings and incentive travel show aims to attract over 120 exhibitors from the wider Southeast European region as well as 150 event organisers from other parts of Europe. The event will be held at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre on 22 and 23 Jan 2009. Make sure to mark the dates on your calendar. www.conventa.info.

Photo: F. Virant

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Slovenia’s karst region of Kras is full of amazing natural structures created by water eroding limestone, but none of them are as magical as the Škocjan Caves. Carved by the river Reka over several million years and being among the best karst landscape has to offer, the Škocjan Caves are protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. They are famous for the world’s largest known underground canyon, an extraordinary ecosystem, two beautifully collapsed caves, and important technological and cultural heritage.

Everything started from and was made possible by the river Reka, which flows on the surface for about 55 km and then disappears under a magnificent wall of rock. The Škocjan Caves consist of several very different

parts. Their upstream end lies underneath a small village, Škocjan, inhabited by a handful of villagers. The cave system has been created by mechanisms of water erosion and limestone dissolution and precipitation. Over millions of years, the Reka river has carved a canyon which is, at its deepest point, over 140 m deep. The upstream end of the cave system has been visible from the ground since a part of the Caves’ roof collapsed not so long ago, leaving behind what is known as the Velika dolina (Big Valley) and Mala dolina (Small Valley) hollows, separated by a natural bridge and hosting a unique ecosystem with several endemic species.

The main part of the Škocjan Caves begins at the bottom of Velika dolina, where the Reka

river finally disappears and begins its 34 km underground flow. For visitors, the caves end with the Ledeni dihnik siphon, a small hole into which the river disappears. A further section of the river has been explored by cave divers over the last 17 years, but most of the Reka river’s underground path remains a mystery.

The Škocjan Caves and the mysteriously disappearing river running through them have always attracted people. The area has been inhabited since the Mesolithic, for more than 5,000 years, to which a large number of archaeological artefacts of major cultural importance bear witness.

The Škocjan Caves boast a proud technological legacy left behind by early explorers, who pioneered karst exploration in

the 19th century, chiselled most of the caves’ existing 12 km of trails connected by bridges and galleries, and enabled the development of tourism back in the 1820s, when most of the people did not even know what tourism was.

The Škocjan Caves, located less than an hour’s drive from Ljubljana, which makes them a perfect day-trip destination, can be visited throughout the year. Their natural sculptures and peculiar inhabitants such as olms and bats will amaze you the way they did their prehistoric settlers and the early pioneers of cave exploration. It is no wonder that the Škocjan Caves are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it would be a surprise if they were not. www.park-skocjanske-jame.siBy Grega Stopar

The Magical Underworld of the Škocjan CavesThere is no greater architect than nature itself and the Škocjan Caves, a unique natural monument of world significance protected by UNESCO, must be one of its best works.

Igloo VillageDo you ever wonder how do Eskimos live? Now, for the second winter in the row, you can experience the Eskimo life in the Igloo Village on Krvavec ski resort. Villge is build from natural and artificial snow and is perfectly situated and suited for events, incentive schemes or any special occasion. Interesting overnight accommodation are available in romantic or standard igloos. www.eskimska-vas.si

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FLY ADRIA,DRIVE MINI

Fly Adria Airways and with your flightticket rent yourMINI for only 55�/day.You can bookMINI onwww.adria air-ways.com or visit Europcar office onJoze PucnikLjubljana Airport. The num-ber ofvehicles is limited.The acceptanceand return of the vehicle is possible onlyon Joze Pucnik Ljubljana Airport.

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The Škocjan Caves

Photo: STB Archive

Free Ski ShuttleThe Krvavec ski resort with its 24 km of ski runs is just 30 km from city centre. If natural snow is not abundant, artificial snow guns ensure a guaranteed 100-day skiing season. A free ski bus service to Krvavec is available to guests at most of Ljubljana’s hotels on weekends. For more information, contact Tourist Information Centres.

Quick info The Slovenian Tourist Information Centre on Krekov trg 10 (phone: +386 1 306 45 75, stic@visitljubljana.si) is your best contact for booking scheduled tours, designed for individual travellers and smaller groups. There is a wide choice among half-day and full-day programme to attractive sites within Slovenia, including the Škocjan Caves. Ljubljana’s central position makes it an ideal springboard to discover and experience the country.

Photo: Koren Sports Archive

It has been more than ten years since Ljubljana first placed itself on the list of capital cities whose streets play host to an event featuring the world’s most demanding running discipline. Ljubljana fully deserves the title of “The City of Running”, not only because of the running events it hosts, but also because of the huge numbers of locals who, day after day, run on the slopes of Rožnik, Golovec and Rašica, along the banks of the Sava and in other locations. For an ever increasing number of the city’s recreational runners and outdoor activity enthusiasts, the culmination of a year’s work and the ultimate test of ability is participation in the Ljubljana Marathon, which usually takes place on a Sunday in late October. On the day of the race, when the “running fever” grips the city, the centre of Ljubljana is closed to traffic while over 10,000 runners from 35 countries test their strength and endurance over 10, 21 and 42 km courses.

Competitive runners are joined by schoolchildren, who run on shorter courses, and there is also a unique race for preschoolers, who usually make their first running steps towards the finish line side by side with their parents. Last year, the youngest participant was only one year old and the oldest veteran 83 years old. The main parts of the race, including the start and the finish, take place in the heart of Ljubljana. The relatively flat marathon course winds through the city streets, along the edge of the wooded Rožnik hill and past the Ljubljana ZOO towards the finish in the city centre. Marathon runners must complete two laps of the 21 km city circuit. Thanks to its relatively undemanding course, ideal weather conditions in the autumn and excellent organization, for many, the Ljubljana Marathon is a perfect conclusion to the running season. www.ljubljanskimaraton.si.

Ljubljana Marathon Two Laps of the City Circuit

Photo: Timing Ljubljana Archive

The forthcoming 13th edition of the Ljubljana Marathon is set to take place on 26 October 2008 beginning at 10.00.

Photo: Timing Ljubljana Archive