Social Events

The Social Programme has long been an integral part of this conference series, both during and after the conference itself. Conference delegates often regret later that they were too busy to notice their surroundings. There is a tour programme for the following weekend, which will give delegates the opportunity to see something of Ljubljana and appreciate the Slovenian countryside. During the three days of the conference there is a full programme of tours, so why not take advantage of this opportunity to visit the areas surrounding Ljubljana and make e-2005 a really valuable and enjoyable break for you and your partner.

The eChallenges Consortium are pleased to announce that IBM are kindly sponsoring a Networking Reception on Wednesday 19 October in the Grand Hotel Union. The Slovenian Minstry of Higher Education, Science and Technology are kindly organising a Gala Dinner in the Grand Hotel Union on Thursday 20 October.

To book tours, please contact Mr. Alen Mlekuz, Kompas - Tel: +386 1 2006 312, e-mail: alen.mlekuz@kompas.si. In addition, partners may book tours with a hostess from Kompas, who will be available during the conference at the Conference Registration Desk to help delegates and partners organise bookings and deal with personal requests.

Partners' Programme

Wednesday 19th October

Wednesday morning

A walk though Plecnik's Ljubljana

Joze Plecnik (1872-1957), a native of Ljubljana, is considered to be one of the world's most important pioneers of contemporary architecture. His artistic endeavours are reflected in the appearance of three Central European cities: Vienna, Prague and Ljubljana. In the years to follow his return from abroad in 1921, Plecnik left such a strong and indelible mark on his native city that the so called Plecnik's Ljubljana as a unique example of town planning is considered to be one of the most important full-scale works of art of the 20th century. The tour takes in most of the master architect's works sited in the centre of Ljubljana.

The tour starting off in the Kongresni trg square takes you along the Vegova ulica street to the Trg francoske revolucije square, where the famous Plecnik's Krizanke Summer Theatre is located. The tour continues to the Mirje district all the way to the Roman Wall, the preserved part of the town walls of the ancient Emona, which was uniquely renovated by architect Plecnik. From there the tour continues to the Trnovo Bridge, another magnificent work by Joze Plecnik, along the Trnovski pristan embankment, across the Levstikov trg square past St. James's Church, across the Gornji trg square to the foot of the Castle Hill, and from there to the Cobblers' Bridge and the Triple Bridge, two of Plecnik's most beautiful bridges, and further on to Plecnik's Market, where the walk ends.

This guided tour commences at 10:00am and is free of charge.

Wednesday afternoon

A walk through the Art Nouvean, Ljubljana

At the turn of the 19th century, Ljubljana saw the appearance of a new architectural style, which was in Europe mainly referred to as Art Nouveau. Its Slovenian variant developed under the direct influence of Viennese Secession and contributed notably to the overall appearance of Ljubljana.

During the walking tour of the Art Nouveau Ljubljana you will be able to see the majority of the most typical Art Nouveau sights of Ljubljana, such as the Slovenski trg square and Miklosic Park, which were, along with a number of surrounding buildings, designed by architect Maks Fabiani, the famous Art Nouveau facades of Grand Hotel Union, the Zadruzna gospodarska banka cooperative business bank and the Centromerkur department store, the buildings in the Presernov trg square, the main square of Ljubljana, and Dragon Bridge, an Art Nouveau masterpiece, which is on each end adorned with a bronze dragon, the symbol of Ljubljana.

This guided tour commences at 14:30pm and is free of charge.

Thursday 20th October

Thursday morning

Bled

Bled was discovered by tourists in the middle of the 19th century, after a Swiss doctor, Mr.Arnold Rikli, built a climactic health centre there. Bled is often mentioned as the pearl of the Alpine region. It is unique with its emerald-green lake, a church on the island in the middle of the lake and a medieval castle from the 11th century, perched on a cliff above the lake. After a bus ride around the lake a guided tour of Bled castle will start. Then you will be taken by Bled's typical "pletna" boat to the island. Bled is 50km from Ljubljana.

This guided tour commences at 09:30am and costs 40 euro per person, which includes bus transport, an English-speaking guide, the entrance fee to the Bled Castle and "pletna" boat ride to the island.

Thursday afternoon

Wine Tasing at Vinotaka Pons

Join a glorious tour through wine regions of Slovenia by tasting five of its most important and awarded wines. Domestic tradition, innovation, and understanding of modern trend are all reflected in the art of growing and marketing wine. Tasting will be accompanied with cheese and bread.

Winetasting can include more than 5 wines and can be accompanied by a selection of food. The wines included in our tour are awarded and of good quality, however we can ialso include a top Slovenian wines of wine cellars which are famous all over the world.

This guided tour commences at 14:30pm and costs 20 euro per person (depending on quantity & wine selection).

Friday 21st October

Friday morning

Skofja Loka & Kranj

This half-day excursion takes you to see two Slovenian towns, which are approximately 30km from Ljubljana. Kranj is Slovenia's fourth largest town with an attractive Old town. The old town of Kranj is placed on an escarpment above the rivers Kokra and Sava and attracts with many beautiful old buildings.

Another old town is Skofja loka with most preserved medieval parts in Slovenia. Throughout the centuries the inhabitants of the town and its surroundings were occupied in many trades, which (were) developed at the end of the Middle Ages into the trade unions - guilds. There were many famous artists, writers and scientists who created a rich cultural inheritance of the town, as a result of constant working in an environment full of art and nature. Sightseeing tour in Skofja Loka takes you through its narrow streets to the 15th ct. Jacob's parish church, to the old Town Hall from the 16th ct. and other medieval buildings nearby and eventually to the Friezing bishops' castle boasting on a hill above the town. Afterwards you will have some free time for refreshments, snacks or further exploring of the town.

This guided tour commences at 09:30am and costs 29 euro per person, which includes bus transport, an English-speaking guide and the entrance fee to the museum.

Friday Afternoon

A walk though Plecnik's Ljubljana

Joze Plecnik (1872-1957), a native of Ljubljana, is considered to be one of the world's most important pioneers of contemporary architecture. His artistic endeavours are reflected in the appearance of three Central European cities: Vienna, Prague and Ljubljana. In the years to follow his return from abroad in 1921, Plecnik left such a strong and indelible mark on his native city that the so called Plecnik's Ljubljana as a unique example of town planning is considered to be one of the most important full-scale works of art of the 20th century. The tour takes in most of the master architect's works sited in the centre of Ljubljana.

The tour starting off in the Kongresni trg square takes you along the Vegova ulica street to the Trg francoske revolucije square, where the famous Plecnik's Krizanke Summer Theatre is located. The tour continues to the Mirje district all the way to the Roman Wall, the preserved part of the town walls of the ancient Emona, which was uniquely renovated by architect Plecnik. From there the tour continues to the Trnovo Bridge, another magnificent work by Joze Plecnik, along the Trnovski pristan embankment, across the Levstikov trg square past St. James's Church, across the Gornji trg square to the foot of the Castle Hill, and from there to the Cobblers' Bridge and the Triple Bridge, two of Plecnik's most beautiful bridges, and further on to Plecnik's Market, where the walk ends.

This guided tour commences at 14:30pm and is free of charge.

Weekend Programme

Saturday 22nd October

Saturday morning

Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle

This tour is to the biggest and worldwide known Slovenian cave system - the Postojna caves, which is 60km from Ljubljana. A two million years old and 27 km long system of subterranean caves is one of the most easily accessible network 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 in Slovenia.

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.

This tour leaves at 09:30 and costs 42 euro per person, which includes bus transport, an English-speaking guide and the entrance fee to the caves.

Saturday afternoon

Wine Tasing at Vinotaka Pons

Join a glorious tour through wine regions of Slovenia by tasting five of its most important and awarded wines. Domestic tradition, innovation, and understanding of modern trend are all reflected in the art of growing and marketing wine. Tasting will be accompanied with cheese and bread.

Winetasting can include more than 5 wines and can be accompanied by a selection of food. The wines included in our tour are awarded and of good quality, however we can ialso include a top Slovenian wines of wine cellars which are famous all over the world.

This guided tour commences at 14:30pm and costs 20 euro per person (depending on quantity & wine selection).

Sunday 23rd October

A walk through the Art Nouvean, Ljubljana

At the turn of the 19th century, Ljubljana saw the appearance of a new architectural style, which was in Europe mainly referred to as Art Nouveau. Its Slovenian variant developed under the direct influence of Viennese Secession and contributed notably to the overall appearance of Ljubljana.

During the walking tour of the Art Nouveau Ljubljana you will be able to see the majority of the most typical Art Nouveau sights of Ljubljana, such as the Slovenski trg square and Miklosic Park, which were, along with a number of surrounding buildings, designed by architect Maks Fabiani, the famous Art Nouveau facades of Grand Hotel Union, the Zadruzna gospodarska banka cooperative business bank and the Centromerkur department store, the buildings in the Presernov trg square, the main square of Ljubljana, and Dragon Bridge, an Art Nouveau masterpiece, which is on each end adorned with a bronze dragon, the symbol of Ljubljana.

This guided tour commences at 09:30am and is free of charge.