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a perfect rendezvous
STEKLARNA ROGAŠKA d.d., Ulica talcev 1, 3250 Rogaška Slatina; foto: Iztok Nikolić, IZ+IV dizajn studio
FOR THE SOUL AND AMBIENCE. Creating sublime ambience with functional and decorative crystal pieces. Europe’s foremost crystal creator is the clear choice.
Ljubljana Center, Mestni trg 22 Ljubljana BTC - Kristalna palača, Ameriška ulica 8 Koper, Čevljarska ulica 15 Rogaška Slatina, Ulica talcev 1 Zagreb, Palmotičeva 12 www.steklarna-rogaska.si
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City Break Packages on Visit Ljubljana
From late autumn 2012 onwards, the Visit Ljubljana website will be offering a range of attractively priced Ljubljana city break packages. The packages, available to individual travellers, will combine accommodation in Ljubljana hotels with various activities and benefits. The first batch of packages will mainly include 2012 Christmas and New Year hotel deals. www.visitljubljana.com
Winter Break in Ljubljana; Photo: D. Wedam
EuroBasket in Slovenia
In Ljubljana, intensive preparations are underway for EuroBasket 2013, the European men’s basketball championship set to be held in the Slovenian towns of Celje, Jesenice and Koper and at Ljubljana’s Hala Tivoli sports hall and Stožice Sports Park Arena next year. The so far largest sporting event to take place in Slovenia will bring together Europe’s top 24 basketball teams. Large numbers of fans from abroad are expected to join those from Slovenia. www.eurobasket2013.org
Eurobasket 2013; Photo: A. Rebolj
The Visit Ljubljana Website Optimized for Mobile Devices Visit Ljubljana, the official website of Ljubljana and the Central Slovenia region, has been fully optimized for mobile devices. Visitors to Ljubljana can now explore the city and its region using a smart phone or tablet computer. The optimized website at www.visitljubljana.com allows visitors to locate their current position and nearby points of interest, use an interactive map of Ljubljana and Central Slovenia, put together a schedule for their stay in the region using the MyVisit tool, access the schedule from anywhere, get ideas on what to see and do, find places to stay, shop and eat, and check the calendar of events.
The Visit Ljubljana website, optimized for mobile devices in October 2012, was revamped in accordance with the principles of responsive web design, which supports all screen sizes, regardless of which web browser is used. The project for the upgrading of the Visit Ljubljana website, cofinanced by the European Regional
Development Fund, practically coincides with the completion of the first phase of work on Ljubljana’s citywide free wireless internet network, which is due in late autumn 2012 and will initially cover the core city centre area. www.visitljubljana.com Uroš Črnigoj Visit Ljubljana website
Ljubljana Tourist Card Rated Third-Best in Europe In September 2012, the EuroTest consortium of European automobile clubs published the results of a comparison test of European city cards. The test involved 16 cards in 14 different European cities. The Ljubljana Tourist Card achieved an excellent third place.
Ljubljana Card; Photo: Ljubljana Tourism Archive
The Ljubljana Tourist Card placed third behind Vienna’s Wien Card and Oslo’s Oslo Pass, which is a great affirmation for the city’s tourist board, Ljubljana Tourism, which manages the card. The Ljubljana Tourist Card’s excellent ranking is particularly due to its covering all the city’s top attractions and its great average discount of 100 percent on all offers. Another major advantage that decisively contributed to the card’s ranking is its exceptionally favourable price. A three-day city card, for example, costs €35.00 (€31.50 if
purchased online), and a one-day card as little as €20.70 if purchased online, while savings can amount to over €110.00. The card also scored well because of its inclusion of free travel on public transport, easy accessibility of information about the card and its offers, and the card’s availability at important sales outlets and on the internet (via the Visit Ljubljana website at www.visitljubljana.com). More information about the comparison test is available at the Euro Test website at www.eurotestmobility.com.
A Perfect Rendezvous, Newsletter for Travel Trade Professionals Publisher: Ljubljana Tourism, Krekov trg 10, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phone: +386 1 306 45 83, Fax +386 1 306 45 94, e-mail: info@visitljubljana.com, www.visitljubljana.com; Editorial board: Petra Stušek, Tatjana Radovič, Barbara Vajda. Cover photo by D. Wedam Production: Mediamix, Maribor; Head of advertising: Zdenka Šarlah, Mediamix. Phone: +386 2 235 05 67, e-mail: zdenka.sarlah@mediamix Printed by: Collegium Graphicum d.o.o. Autumn 2012/Winter 2013 • Committed to caring for the environment, we print on recycled paper.
4 City of Delights
New Concert Season
On December 10, the whole Tivoli Hall will shake with the legendary hard-rock band Motörhead. At the RED X-mas PARTY at Stožice Sports Complex, the world’s leading DJ Armin van Buuren will perform on December 15. On December 14, Kino Šiška, the Centre of Urban Culture, will host bizarre punk-cabaret band The Tiger Lillies and on February 14 2013 retro-rock band The Raveonettes.
Fun in a Cup
Motörhead; Photo: Management Archive
Master Architect Inspires Beautiful Souvenirs
A new line of souvenirs called Makalonca has been developed to celebrate 140th birth anniversary of Ljubljana’s famous architect Jože Plečnik. The new products, designed to exceptional standards, are based on a lesser known part of the architect’s oeuvre: his miniature illustrations for a fairy-tale collection.
Notebooks; Photo: J. Pukšič
Ljubljana never misses an opportunity to celebrate its great architect Jože Plečnik, who studied under the famous Otto Wagner, spent several years in Vienna and Prague designing buildings and teaching, and then returned to his home town to create what today is called Plečnik’s
Ljubljana and is considered to be one of the 20th century’s most important total works of art. The massive oeuvre of the architect, who believed that “a façade without decorative elements is like a man who doesn’t smile”, also includes miniature decorative illustrations for a book of fairy-tales about Princess Makalonca by Fran Saleški Finžgar, first published in 1944. Plečnik’s illustrations have ingeniously been used in designing a line of high quality but reasonably priced souvenir and gift items, from leather and canvas bags,
TOZD Bar at Gallusovo nabrežje boasts excellent coffee – no wonder; it is roasted and ground at the bar itself. Furthermore, the bar surprises with its sophisticated interior design, which serves as a showroom and even as a sales gallery. If you feel like having good coffee accompanied by an expert explanation, visit Cafe Čokl at Krekov trg. Beer lovers will be glad to find Pivoteka za Popen’t Beer Shop at Stari trg offering a wide selection of beers from all around the world. In Wolfova ulica Deli Zvezda, a boutique confectionery and savoury snack shop, is situated – ideal for to go. Worth mentioning is also Lolita Cafe situated at Cankarjevo nabrežje, which was nominated for Restaurant & Bar Design Awards in London and thus got inscribed onto the world map of architecture and design.
TOZD Bar; Photo: M. Bajželj
Pivoteka za Popen’t; Photo: P. Lucchese
Deli Zvezda; Photo: E. Halilović
T-shirts and umbrellas to porcelain plates, kitchen sets, enamel mugs, pencil pots, pencils and gold-printed leather notebooks. The new line of products are available for viewing and purchase at the Tourist Information Centre in the Stritarjeva ulica street and in selected shops. www.visitljubljana.com
Makalonca Cup; Photo: J. Pukšič
Ljubljana Castle: New Bites and Sights
Ljubljana Castle constantly expands its offerings. The end of 2012 will see the opening of a new castle restaurant, and early 2013 the setting up of an interesting new exhibition on the castle’s history.
Stolp strelcev / Shooters’ Tower; Photo: S. Bano
The new restaurant, Stolp strelcev, will be located in the castle’s recently renovated Shooters’ Tower, whose foundations were laid in the 15th century. The vision set out for the new restaurant, which will be based on the concept of creating a culinary intersection between the Alps, the Adriatic, and the Pannonian Plain, is to bring new life to the castle’s beautiful historical tower, revive the cuisine of our ancestors, intertwine the culinary legacy of the past with the best in modern culinary art, and offer visitors from home and abroad the tastes and smells that will spark a nostalgia for medieval cuisine.
Ljubljana Castle’s new permanent exhibition, conceived in collaboration with the Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana, will deal, in a way that is friendly to modern tourists, with the social and historical background of the use of the castle’s premises as dungeons. The development of the castle over its dungeon periods will be traced as part of the urban development of Ljubljana. The exhibition will be visually attractive, coherent, and suited to different types of visitors. www.ljubljanskigrad.si Janja Rozman
5 City of Delights
Beer tasting Golding – Association for the promotion and raise of beer drinking culture has joined strengths with Ljubljana’s Sir William’s Pub, Gas Station Bar and Patrick’s Irish Pub to organize beer tastings several times a month. They include also the basics about beer ingredients, styles and production methods. Be ready to taste something new: the Human Fish Brewery www.facebook.com/HumanFishBrewery is the youngest Slovenian brewery, which has already won the hearts of many beer lovers with their Human Fish Pale Ale. www.spottedbylocals.com
Dragon’s Carnival
On Carnival Saturday, on February 9 2013, a big carnival parade will fill the streets of Ljubljana. The largest parade ever in terms of the participating masks will set off at 11 am from Breg and finish at 3 pm at Kongresni trg. In the parade of colourful masks and costumes also masks from the pagan tradition will participate. It will be led by a huge green dragon, the official mascot of the festival. www.visitljubljana.com
Carnival Parade; Photo: D. Wedam
Counting Quality because Quality Counts Recently, the Ljubljana Quality Selection 2012 has taken place. Following professional standards, the commission has chosen the best restaurants and shops in the centre of Ljubljana. The aim is to provide the visitors with the selection of restaurants and shops that meet the highest standards in terms of supply, quality of service and interior design. Award-winning Restaurants Top restaurants are distinguished from the other in terms of creativity and complexity of the dishes, fresh ingredients, excellent service, individual approach and exclusive design. The winner in the category Top Restaurants is Maxim Restaurant, which has all of these qualities and furthermore boasts top chef Andrej Kuhar, who managed to raise the level of culinary experience to a whole new level. www.maxi.si/si/maxim The winner in the category Slovenian Cuisine is Gostilna na Gradu. The restaurant, which has gained recognition thanks to its chef and culinary expert Ana Roš, has become a real hit. It offers typical Slovenian dishes in a completely fresh and
Maxim Restaurant;
unique way. www.nagradu.si Authentic flavours and pleasant atmosphere have convinced the commission to rank Shambala Restaurant first in the category of Foreign National Cuisine. Much attention is given to the selection of fresh Asian herbs and use of quality ingredients. www.shambala.si The category of International Cuisine has a “new-old” winner: the Restaurant of Cubo Hotel, the sister restaurant to Cubo Restaurant. Its main asset is high-quality offer of a wide selection of international dishes. www.hotelcubo.si A good lunch has to be followed by a delicious dessert. You will get it in Zvezda Café in Wolfova ulica, which has won in the category of
Hotel Cubo; Photo: D. Ralita
Confectionaries and Cafes. A wide selection of desserts is accompanied by healthy diet guidelines thus offering also raw desserts and icecream made of hundred per cent fruit base. www.zvezdaljubljana.si For other restaurants that have been awarded the Ljubljana Quality Selection 2012, browse Dinning & Shopping Guide by Ljubljana Quality Selection 2012, available free of charge at all tourist info centres, or at www.visitljubljana.com. Award-winning Shops Those who are led by the quality when shopping will be thrilled by the selection of the best shops in the city centre. The shops stand out thanks to pleasant atmosphere,
Cliché; Photo: Cliché Archive
Photo: Mercator Archive
good service, wide selection of high-quality products, friendly staff and nicely arranged window displays. For clothing, visit Cliché www.cliche.si, Agent Provocateur www.agentprovocateur.com or Hugo Boss www.hugoboss.com, for shoes, go to Stiefelkönig www.stiefelkoenig.at, for sunglasses to Moop Morela www.morelaokulisti.si, for authentic Slovenian souvenirs to Piranske soline www.soline.si, for fresh fish to Valentin Fish Shop, for jewellery to Zlatarna Celje www.zlatarnacelje.si, for flowers to Lovšin Florist, for cosmetics to L’Occitane www.loccitane.si, for a good book to MK Konzorcij www.mladinska.com and for a touch of luxury to Galerija Emporium www.galerijaemporium.si.
Galerija Emporium; Photo: G. Vidmar
Fresh on the Menu of Ljubljana A great number of new restaurants has recently opened in Ljubljana and enriched the “Menu of Ljubljana”. New restaurants with international cuisine strengthen the
Valentin; Photo: Valentin Archive
metropolitan character of the capital. In Trubarjeva ulica Restavracija Cirkus offers a diverse selection of dishes in a lively circus atmosphere www.restavracija-cirkus.si. Selection of typical Slovenian cuisine restaurants has been enriched by new Güjžina Restaurant located at Mestni trg offering specialties from the easternmost part of Slovenia, Prekmurje www.prekmurska-gostilna.si. Valentin, an excellent fish restaurant at Vodnikov trg near the marketplace, offers a broad variety
of fish dishes. Worth mentioning is also Druga violina Restaurant, which, similarly to the restaurants elsewhere in Europe, employs people with disabilities www.center-db.si. Exotic food lovers will appreciate the IndianBengal Tandoori Fast Food in Trubarjeva ulica. Origano Restaurant is not new on the scene, only their menu is. Their offer now includes also Dining in the dark, which allows a unique way of food experience involving all senses except sight www.origano.si.
Cirkus; Photo: M. Ocepek
6 City of Delights
Tour around Žale Cemetery Complex
Žale cemetery is not only a place of mourning and sorrow: it is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cemeteries, thus gaining increasing recognition as a visible monument of Plečnik heritage and a spot with invaluable horticultural arrangements and sculptures. It is an open-air museum where one can feel the history and culture of the nation. Now, the tour of Žale cemetery has become a part of regular programme. It will take place every first Saturday of the month, from May until the end of October, in the Slovenian and English language. www.visitljubljana.com
Rambling in Roman Ljubljana A special trail has recently been developed for residents and visitors to explore Ljubljana’s 2000-year-old Roman heritage.
New GetTaxi Application
Kjesitaksi (Get taxi) mobile application is easy to use and enables fast taxi ordering via smart phones and online at www.kjesitaksi.com. The application recognizes the user’s location via GPS system and displays the map with all the nearby vacant taxis and prices. When you choose a cab, you can call it via application, without needing to enter the phone number. Furthermore, the route of the taxi can then also be observed on the map. Kjesitaksi is widely used in Ljubljana, but moves fast also to other major Slovenian cities. Kjesitaksi application
Roman Wall; Photo: M. Paternoster
Ljubljana, which has been continuously settled from prehistory to the present day, boasts an exceptionally rich archaeological heritage. A special place in the history of the city’s settlement is held by the Roman city of Emona, whose 2000th
anniversary of foundation will be celebrated in 2014. In order to mark the occasion, Ljubljana’s three centrally located archaeological parks – the Roman Wall, the Emona House and the Early Christian Centre – have recently been renovated as
part of the Emona 2000 project and included in a circular trail called ‘Emona: The Roman Trail of Ljubljana’, which also takes in other Roman remains available for viewing in the place where they were discovered. Visitors to Ljubljana can choose from a
range of different tours along the trail, from guided tours intended for tourists, children and experts to self-guided tours with the help of a map and on-site signage and QR codes. www.mgml.si Maja Kovač
wine. The event takes place on Saturday closest to St. Martin’s
Feast or November 11. www.en.ljubljanskavinskapot.si
Awaiting Frost Every December, good old men bringing gifts visit Ljubljana. For a decade, Ms. Frost accompanies them. Ana Frost (in Slovenian “mraz”) is a winter street theatre, which delights the spectators with clowns, pantomime, circus skills as well as with longer street performances. www.anamonro.org/ana-mraz. html In December, Ljubljana will host several musicians who will warm up Cheerful December by performing at Kongresni trg (Congress Square). Towards the end of December, concert venues will spread throughout the whole city centre. There is no December without Christmas Fair, which
every year begins on December 3 and takes place until January 1. The festive athmosphere attracts many visitors, who visit the stalls with mulled wine, hot tea, hot mead, liquors and sausages, grilled and other dishes. Stall shops are a real feast for the eyes; in addition to various Christmas and New Year products, also young fashion designers and artisans present themselves, selling authentic Slovenian products. Let us not forget that Slovenia is a wine country. Therefore, autumn is the most important season of the year. For that very reason, wine producers gather at Ljubljana Wine Route to present their
Festive December Panorama; Photo: D. Wedam
8 City of Arts and Culture
The Knight, the Lady, and the Dragon
From 13 December 2012 to 15 October 2013, the National Museum of Slovenia – Metelkova will host an exhibition entitled The Knight, the Lady, and the Dragon: The Heritage of Medieval Warriors. This is a unique exhibition as the history of the medieval nobility and warfare in Slovenianinhabited lands has not been thoroughly explored so far. Consisting of various objects, pageants, replicas and films, it offers an insight into different aspects of knighthood in the Middle Ages and the early modern period. www.nms.si
The Balkan Lynx
Old Armour; Photo: T. Lauko
From 12 November 2012 to 10 February 2013, visitors to the Slovenian Museum of Natural History will be able to view a museum specimen of the Balkan lynx, an almost extinct animal species indigenous to SouthEastern Europe. Audio and printed guides of the museum’s permanent exhibitions are available in English, German, French and Italian. Balkan Lynx; Photo: C. Mlinar www.pms-lj.si
Wandering Ljubljana’s Private Galleries
Ljubljana has a remarkably high concentration of art galleries, which puts it on a par with much larger capitals. If you have a wander around Ljubljana’s private galleries, you will come across a wide-ranging spectrum of art. Works by Slovenian artists are available for viewing and purchase at Galerija Equrna (Gregorčičeva 3, www.equrna.si), which showcases a different contemporary artist every month. Galerije Zala (Gosposka 7, www.galerijazala.si), Galerija Hest (Židovska 8, www.galerijahest.si), Galerija Lala (Židovska 5) and Galerija Isis (Slovenska 17, www.isis.si) offer works by classic Slovenian painters, such as Zoran Mušič, Rihard Jakopič, Ivan Grohar, Lojze Spacal and Avgust Černigoj, as well as works by other artists of different generations. Galerija Ganes
Pratt (Slovenska 35, www.ganes-pratt.si) is a vibrant art centre focusing on up and coming artists. Galerija Ars (Jurčičev trg 2) offers selected art works, antiques, top-quality products by Slovenian designers, and ethnographic items. The Visconti Fine Art galleries (Mestni trg 18, Štefanova 2; www.viscontifineart.si) showcase internationally renowned European and American artists. They are Ljubljana’s only galleries where you can see prints by such artists as Jasper Johns, Kiki Smith and Robert Rauschemberg. Galerija Fotografija (Mestni trg 11, www.galerijafotografija.si) and Galerija Photon (Trg prekomorskih brigad 1,
www.photon.si) specialize in fine art photography by Slovenian and internationally renowned photographers. Galerija Gregor Podnar (Kolodvorska 6, www.gregorpodnar.com) focuses on internationally renowned artists mainly from Eastern European centres of art, while Galerija Kapsula (Trg prekomorskih brigad 1, www.kapsula.si) represents artists across a wide range of genres, from graphic design and fine art to conceptual art, performance and improvisation. Alternative art is showcased by several non-profit galleries, including Galerija Škuc (Stari trg 21, www.skuc.org), Galerija Alkatraz (Metelkova mesto alternative arts and cultural
Sacred Art at the National Gallery Ljubljana’s National Gallery in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Ljubljana has organized an exhibition entitled The Image of the Sacred: Spanish Sculpture from the 14th to the 18th Century, which presents 23 mostly polychrome wooden sculptures sourced from the collection of the National Sculpture Museum in Valladolid. The exhibition, which has recently been on view in London and Lisbon, is the most priceless showcase of Spanish artistic heritage in Slovenia so far. It will stay open until 6 January 2013. www. espanacultura.si www.ng-slo.si
centre, www.galerijalkatraz.org), and Galerija Aksioma (Komenskega 7, www.aksioma.org). Meta Stvarnik
Galerija Hest;
Galerija Lala: Z. A. Mušič,
Galerija Ars;
Galerija Fotografija; Photo:
Photo: Hest Archive
Passing-by Horses
Photo: S. Bezenšek
Galerija Fotografija Archive
City Art Gallery’s 50 Years
In 2013, the City Art Gallery of Ljubljana will celebrate an important anniversary, marked by a documentary exhibition on the gallery’s 50-year history. The exhibition, set to be held from 6 February to 14 April 2013, will present the history of the City Museum of Ljubljana from its foundation in 1963 to the present day. It will bring together various documentary materials, such as photographs, posters, invitations and exhibition
catalogues, and a selection of work by the artists whose creativity has greatly enriched the gallery’s programme and enhanced its image. The exhibition will be accompanied by an anniversary catalogue. Apart from listing all the exhibitions held at and
publications released by the gallery to date, the catalogue will contain essays and other writings detailing the City Art Gallery’s importance on the Slovenian and international art scene. www.mgml.si Maja Kovač
City Art Gallery; Photo: B. Samec
9 City of Arts and Culture
Celebrating Culture
3 December and 8 February, the dates of birth and death of the great Slovenian poet France Prešeren, who authored the poem adopted as Slovenia’s national anthem, are red-letter days in Slovenia’s cultural calendar. On these days, museums, galleries and other cultural institutions across the country open their doors wide and let visitors explore their treasures free of charge and enjoy a wide an varied programme of free events organized especially for the occasion. www.mk.gov.si
Movie Mania
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From 7 to 18 November, Ljubljana will once again be swept by movie mania, caused by the LIFFe festival, which brings together the very best in European and international film. The 23rd edition of the festival will feature a retrospective of work by the French director Leos Carax and dedicate special attention to the Italian film-maker Matteo Garrone. A special section will be intended for film lovers aged from seven to 14. www.liffe.si
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Ljubljana International Film Festival
Ljubljana – A Design City
Each year in late autumn, Ljubljana hosts a programme of events related to architecture and design. Judging by the city’s appearance, the two disciplines definitely are something that Ljubljana breathes with. One of the major events is the 23rd Biennial of Design (BIO 23), held from 27 September to 11 November. The event spreads its wings beyond the Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO) to venues across the city, including the streets. The
Museum has prepared a design map of Ljubljana, which presents the major providers of Slovenian design within the city centre. www.bio.si By the end of November, Ljubljana will have played host to a series of events entitled Design
in the City, held as part of the Design Month 2012. Countless exhibitions and other events featuring designers, designer groups, and design-related companies and institutions will have been held at 36 city centre locations, all included on a special map published to make it easy for visitors to find their way around. www.mesecoblikovanja.com From 7 January to 7 March, the Cankarjev dom cultural and congress centre will host two free exhibitions dedicated to contemporary Slovenian architecture: Architecture= and Architecture-Inventory 20102012. Also free is a year-long series of designer presentations held at Cankarjev dom under the title Design Identity. From
BIO 23 Exhibition; Photo: D. Pal
13 November to 31 January, Cankarjev dom’s CD Gallery will host the 10th Biennial of Slovenian Illustration, which will include an exhibition in homage to the unforgettable Marija Lucija Stupica, a pioneer of Slovenian illustration. www.cd-cc.si Meta Stvarnik
Riko Houses; Photo: Riko Hiše
Graphic Art Fans: Keep an Eye on Ljubljana!
Silvester Plotajs Sicoe, Sexy Heart
Tivoli Mansion, home of the International Centre of Graphic Arts, crowns the end of the main promenade in the vast and central Tivoli Park. Its history goes back to the 13th century, with a complete redesign done in the 18th century, when it was owned by the Jesuit order. Marshal Radetzky resided there for a while and the building later served various functions, purposes and owners. The Centre was established in 1986 by the City of Ljubljana, based on the concept already developed in the 1970s by the Biennial of Graphic Arts Secretary, Dr. Zoran Kržišnik. Today this institution is a museum that holds a printmaking collection from the 20th century up till now, comprising about 10,000 works, a gallery that exhibits contemporary visual art, a publisher of publications and art prints made in its printmaking
workshops and the producer of the Biennial of Graphic Arts. This major event of global proportions that strives to develop both the local and international art scenes has been traditionally held in Ljubljana since 1955, and is widely recognised as the oldest and most important of its kind. The International Centre of Graphic Arts runs regular printmaking programmes in its print studios in the screen-printing, lithography and intaglio printing techniques. The portfolio includes works by a number of renowned Slovene and foreign artists from 1987 on, which are included in its permanent collection. Since recently 200 prints by 50 authors are also available for purchase on the spot at affordable prices – about a third lower compared to those sold in art galleries. The prints will soon
be featured in a virtual gallery on the Centre’s website. Art lovers will therefore have a unique occasion to upgrade their personal collections with selected works that are printed in low series. This can be an excellent idea for taking home something special from Ljubljana, which is strongly connected to its cultural identity that can also be an original present. The Centre organises, among other, professional and social events, lectures, round tables and a range of themed guided tours. To visit it, you benefit first from a pleasant walk across the park to reach the Tivoli Mansion, past the open-air photographic exhibition site lining the Jakopič Promenade, topped by a “refreshment with a view” at the mansion’s Art Cafe terrace. www.mglc-lj.si Tatjana Radovič
10 City for Meetings
Two New Hostels in downtown Ljubljana
Sax is Ljubljana’s newest hostel, housed under the roof of a legendary jazz pub, Sax Pub, where music lovers of all ages and walks of life have gathered since 25 years. It is located in a laid-back and hip area along the river, and is only a few minutes away from the Old Town. Behind the graffiti-clad facade, double rooms and dorms named after blues and jazz greats are available to guests. Free WiFi is available throughout the hostel and a fleet of bikes, ideal for exploring the city, can be rented cheaply. The hostel is also wheelchair accessible. www.saxhostelljubljana.com As of January 2013, the Tresor Hostel will be a new addition to Ljubljana’s budget accommodation portfolio. Set in an Art Nouveau building at a prime location – a pedestrian street just steps away from the Triple Bridge, it will bring new life to what used to be a bank for more than a century. The hostel will be able to welcome 110 guests. More coming soon…
Sax Hostel; Photo: L. Mislej
New Hotel Entries in Ljubljana in Summer 2012
The Ljubljana hotel portfolio has been enriched by a few new properties of a different character, each of them adding an individual value to the destination’s accommodation product. Opened in early June 2012, the modern 4-star Plaza Hotel Ljubljana, now the largest property in the city featuring 237 rooms and suites, has adopted sustainability and environmentally friendly operations as one of the key development guidelines. It is also defined by the subtle aesthetics of its interior design in both the public areas and guest rooms. Since news on this property have already been communicated, the focus now goes to four smaller, family-run boutique properties, whose common denominator is design and personal flair. www.plazahotel.si
Vander Hotel; Photo: M. Kambic
Vander Hotel – Urban resort, the first Slovenian member of Design Hotels, boasts a prime location in the traffic-free Old Town, at the foot of the Castle Hill and only steps away from the Ljubljanica riverbanks, which are lined by many cozy cafés and restaurants. Four medieval houses have been joined to create 16 carefully designed rooms and other amenities, including a rooftop terrace and pool with a striking panoramic view. This area, together with a glass box, can be privatised for smaller business events and social functions. The hotel’s concept can be summarised as a passionate embrace of the Old and the New. The project
has been conceived by the bureau SADAR+VUGA, which has authored some of the city’s major modern architecture landmarks, to meet the needs of the present-day »urban nomads«. The hotel’s restaurant is winning an excellent reputation for its creative cuisine, based on fresh local ingredients and the best regional, seasonal and traditional dishes prepared with a modern twist. www.vanderhotel.com Adora Hotel stands in an Old Town street with a romantic name – Rožna (meaning flower), where the major Slovenian poet France Prešeren (1800 – 1849) lived for seven years and wrote his masterpieces. This small property, which has ten guestrooms, has been developed from two ancient town houses and now delights guests with its cozy decor and homely atmosphere, combining old charm with modern comfort and amenities. Old-time details, such as noble teak furniture, wood and stone flooring and carefully selected textile decor, are complemented by a modern touch – elevator access to all rooms, equipped with free WiFi and air conditioning. Adora is the fourth hotel housed in a historic building in a picturesque and pedestrian neighbourhood, with the Antiq, Allegro and Angel hotels lined along the nearby Gornji trg square – an axe
Adora Hotel; Photo: Adora Hotel Archive
connecting the right riverbank and the Castle Hill. Not far away, the Antiq Palace & Spa and the Cubo hotels round up the list of boutique properties with an excellent downtown location. www.adorahotel.si G Design Hotel is located instead at the west city gate, close to the A1 motorway. Its address is otherwise known to many fans of the traditional Gorjanc Inn, which originally opened its doors in 1813 and has been run by the Kanc family since 1892. The building harmoniously blends the concept of modern design with the 200-year tradition of an ancient guesthouse set amid a preserved natural environment at the city outskirts.
G. Design Hotel; Photo: M&M
The property features 22 spacious and stylish rooms of three different types with original design solutions and selected artwork by Slovenian authors. Together with great views towards Ljubljana with the Alps as a backdrop, guests can experience a sense of open space while enjoying a trendy decor and homely comfort. The business orientation of G-Design Hotel is underlined by a small and flexible conference centre comprising seven function rooms spanning from 20 to 70 seats theatre style. A part of the experience not to
be missed is the culinary heritage of the Gorjanc Inn: regardless of time, the genuine hospitality, authentic Slovenian recipes and long-standing tradition remain the pillars of this family-run property. www.gdesignhotel.si The Meksiko is a new urban hotel in downtown Ljubljana, in the direct vicinity of the ER of the Ljubljana University Medical Centre and the Polyclinic. It is ideal for users of health services and their relatives, as well as business and leisure travellers who primarily enjoy the city sights and attractions. This 3-star property features 50 well appointed rooms with free internet access throughout the hotel. Its name has been inspired from a nearby building that dates from the late 1920’s, called Meksika. This is where quite some years earlier volunteers setting off to fight in the Mexican war gathered. Meksika is otherwise known as the first example of collective housing in Ljubljana and is now protected as an architectural monument of local importance. The city centre and the Old Town are just at 10 to 15 minutes’ walk away, and an itinerary leads along the picturesque riverbanks. The railway station is conveniently close, too. www.hotel-meksiko.si Tatjana Radovič
Hotel Meksiko; Photo: Hotel Meksiko Archive
11 City for Meetings
The Conventa Show Turns Five!
With the fifth edition of Conventa - South East European Exhibition for Meetings, Events and Incentives, this mustattend event is reaching a point of maturity. Taking place in Ljubljana on 16 and 17 January 2013, it will once again offer a unique opportunity to meet, network and conduct business under one roof. The latter remains at the forefront, however some new developments are to be mentioned. Conventa has joined forces with two sister trade shows, Convene (Vilnius) and The Meetings Show UK (London), promoting Conventa and the SEE region through this partnership to meeting planners across the UK and Baltic Sea region. An extensive educational programme is in place: the IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum for students and the Conventa Academy intended for industry professionals will enable all to tap new knowledge. A Politicians’ Forum uniting mayors of SEE cities, as well as the second meeting of the SEEPCO (professional congress organisers’ regional alliance) are among new initiatives. To learn more, register as a Hosted Buyer and catch the possibility to attend a special, pre-Conventa fam trip in Ljubljana, kindly visit www.conventa.si.
Conventa Show; Photo: T. Bernik
A New Green Globe Certificate in Slovenia
The Green Globe Standard is a structured assessment of the sustainability performance of travel and tourism businesses and their supply chain partners. Launched in 1992, it is now acknowledged worldwide as the leading brand in the field of environmental responsibility, with 83 countries included in its accreditation system. This consists of a collection of 337 compliance indicators applied to 41 individual sustainability criteria. The applicable indicators vary by type of certification, geographical area as well as by local factors. The Green Globe Standard is reviewed and updated twice per calendar year. Sustainable and efficient management of waste, water and energy, as well as socio-economic, cultural heritage and environmental aspects are the standard criteria and indicators assessed in the
certification process. The Ljubljana-based Liberty Incentives & Congresses Slovenia has been recently certified by Green Globe as the first DMC in South East Europe to receive this prestigious award. The completion of an independent audit recognized the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable corporate policies and practices with regard to the environment, local community, employees and its triple bottomline (meaning “People, planet and
profit”) approach to operations and management. The Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) of Liberty Incentives & Congresses Slovenia is an integrated part of the company’s corporate philosophy and management system. It is based on their longstanding commitment to reduce environmental impacts across the entire supply chain, and to act in an honest, ethical and responsible way. With this, they keenly contribute to making positive and lasting changes
in the way natural and human resources are used and to improving the quality of life for all, now and in the future. www.slovenia-dmc.si www.greenglobe.com Tatjana Radovič
CD Congress Centre Ljubljana: Busy as a Bee CD Congress Centre Ljubljana has recently invested €1,250.000 in its latest renovation. This established venue, that features an extensive international meetings & cultural agenda, has a vast array of auditoria, halls and other versatile spaces – the largest of which can welcome up to 2,000 people. Its downtown location makes it easily accessible, at a walking distance from several hotels. Being open to the public and for events all year around,
careful and advance planning of refurbishments, that have been ongoing since 2007, is a prerequisite. The overhaul works were therefore carried out in the summer months. This year it was the turn of the second largest auditorium – the Linhart Hall (616 seats) where the first scientific meeting, the 7th Symposium on Scoliosis and Kyphosis with International Participation, was held in 1981, shortly after the centre’s opening. All electrical and mechanical
Linhart Hall; Photo: CD Congress Centre Archive
installations were re-laid and the 32-year-old air-conditioning system was replaced. Pursuing CD’s green policy and dedication to energy saving, the improvements to stage mechanisms and lighting system were also made. The speakers’ performance has also been improved by means of a new multimedia technology and installation, a novelty in the world of digital projectors: Panasonic’s 20,000 Ansi lumens – the type that was also used at the London
2012 Olympics. A unique feature of the CD Congress Centre’s green orientation is its urban beekeeping based on 5 five families of indigenous Carniola bees. They consist of 40,000 members each and buzz in their beehives on one of CD’s roof terraces, stimulating the biodiversity of the local environment. www.cd-cc.si Tatjana Radovič
CD Congress Centre Ljubljana; Photo: B. Cvetkovic
12 City for Slovenia
Big Hug Brochure
Tu To rist ič ur n is tm ak a ap rta
New Central Slovenia Map
The new tourist map of Central Slovenia makes it very easy to explore the tourist attractions of this beautiful green region consisting of the city of Ljubljana and its 25 nearby municipalities. The map includes coherently laid-out photographs of the municipalities’ major natural and cultural attractions. Short descriptions of the featured attractions along with contact details and relevant website addresses are provided on the reverse side of the map. It is available from Ljubljana’s Tourist Information Centres, free of charge.
Central Slovenia Map; Photo: R. Godec
The brochure ‘Wrapped in a Big Hug’, recently published in English, is an exhaustive free guide to Central Slovenia. Apart from describing the region’s attractions, it offers recommendations on places to eat, suggestions for bus tours, and tips for individual travellers wanting to further explore the region. It is available from Ljubljana’s Tourist Information Centres and the Visit Ljubljana website. www.visitljubljana.com
Sustainable Experiences in the Green Hug of Ljubljana The first two sustainable excursions to the Central Slovenia region
Charcoal Burning in Dole; Photo: A. Fevžer
On the edge of Ljubljana stretch the Ljubljana Moors with their surprising biodiversity and scenic variety, where you can cycle or hike, watch birds, go on the Corn Crake Trail or have a cup of tea with a moorland herbalist. A local forester takes you on a guided trek along a charcoal burners’ trail across the nearby hills, covered with mixed deciduous and evergreen forests, which are the green lungs and pride of Slovenia. You visit a charcoal burning museum, build charcoal stacks, draw in charcoal, and cook your own charcoal burners’ meal over an open fire. At an organic farm you treat yourself to a delicious lunch or
dinner of locally grown organic food, and to refresh yourself you make a stop at a thermal spa resort awarded the EU Daisy eco-label. If you would like to be in even closer contact with nature, you can spend the night in a hay barn. All these sustainable experiences are combined in two sustainable excursions: The Precious Conservation Area on the Edge of the Capital (Ljubljana – Vrhnika – Medvedje Brdo – Rakitna – Ljubljana Moors – Ljubljana) and Sustainable Gems of the Heart of Slovenia: Back to Nature and People (Ljubljana – Dolsko – Gorenja vas – Snovik – Šmartno pri Litiji – Dole pri Litiji – Ljubljana). To learn what else, apart from the above mentioned, is included in the two excursions, visit www.visitljubljana.com/en/ travel-professionals/city-breakprogrammes/excursions-inslovenia/.
Bird-watching at Iški Morost in the Ljubljana Moors; Photo: B. Zupanc
Additional information: • majda.pleskovic@visitljubljana.si • +386 1 306 1244 Petra Križan
Bistra Castle - Technical Museum of Slovenia; Photo: F. Gerenčer
The Magical World of Engineering
On the south-western edge of the Ljubljana Moors, half-way between Vrhnika and Borovnica, stands Bistra Castle, home to the Technical Museum of Slovenia.
Old-timer at TMS Bistra; Photo: TMS Archive
The museum is a unique technical, cultural and natural attraction situated in a former monastery building surrounded by a beautiful park with a pond and a forest nature trail. It houses numerous permanent collections in the fields of agriculture, transport, forestry, wood processing, hunting, fishing, textile industry, electrical engineering and printing. On Sundays, it gives demonstrations on traditional working methods
and the functions of various tools, devices and machines used in everyday life in the past. Particularly attention grabbing is its extensive collection of limousines owned by the late Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito. On 3 December, an opendoor day at cultural institutions nationwide, the museum will present its latest acquisition, a car called Student Roadster. The car, developed for eight years,
has been made as a joint effort by students of the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering with support from Slovenian companies. It has been recognized by the International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies as one of the top five projects of excellence. Museum transfers can be provided to groups. www.tms.si Meta Stvarnik
13 City for Slovenia
Pictures of Central Slovenia
Between April 25 and June 25 2012, Picture Slovenia and Ljubljana Tourism organized a competition for the best photo of the central region of Slovenia. The contest was open to professional and amateur photographers who managed to catch a snapshot of Ljubljana and its surroundings or moments from everyday life. The biggest inspiration, however, according to the number of the photos, was Ljubljana Marshland. The winning high resolution photos that best reflect the beauty of Ljubljana and its surroundings are available at www.visitljubljana.com
Frozen; Photo: D. Brenko
Ljubljana; Photo: R. Godec
Ljubljana Moors; Photo: R. Godec
Unique Underground Draw for EuroBasket
In less than a year, EuroBasket 2013, the largest sporting event in the independent Slovenia, will take place. The championship will be held from 4 to 22 September in Celje, Jesenice, Koper and Ljubljana. The organizers promise an unforgettable, one-ofa-kind experience. In September 2013, Slovenia will host the best 24 basketball teams, top European referees, more than 1000 media representatives and numerous fans, including Slovenian who are considered to be the most enthusiastic among EuroBasket spectators. To promote EuroBasket 2013, Slovenian basketball, cities and the country in general in best possible way, the organisers have used different approaches. They have chosen three EuroBasket
2013 ambassadors, with two of them being the world champions and the third one being NBA champion: Ivo Daneu, Peter Vilfan and Rašo Nesterović, respectively. The general public has been given an opportunity to select the official mascot via online voting system and what is more: twelve Slovenian celebrity musicians, actors and sportsmen, including one of the best European football goalkeepers, Samir Handanović, will act in support of the championship.
Also the draw of the groups will be unique; for the first time in the history of sporting events it will take place underground. The drawing ceremony will take place on November 18 2012, in the major concert hall of Postojna Cave, covering an area of 3,000 m2 and with the capacity of 50,000 m2, which means that it can take up to 10,000 visitors. But this is just the beginning... http://www.eurobasket2013.org Anže Blažič
Boštjan Nachbar; Photo: A. Fevžer
Places of Interest in Polhov Gradec
Surrounded by Polhov Gradec Hills, which extend all the way to Ljubljana basin, a little town of Polhov Gradec boasts a beautiful Renaissance mansion.
Museum of Post and Telecommunications; Photo: B. Zupančič
On the premises of Polhov Gradec mansion, a museum collection presenting life and
historical events of the town from the ancient times on is displayed. The mansion also houses the Museum of Post and Telecommunications, www.tms.si, interesting for both, adults and children. The historical section of the museum shows the development of post from prehistory up to the present times. In the part about the history of telecommunications, special attention is given to female telegraphists and telephonists.
With trails to numerous cultural and natural attractions, Polhov Gradec is also an ideal starting point for hiking. There are numerous tourist farms where hospitality is at home. An extensive culinary offer, which bears the common name Dobrote Blagajeve dežele (Goodies of the Land of Blagaj), can be found online at www.dobrova-polhovgradec.si. It includes tourist farms, farms that sell home-made products,
December in Kamnik
beekeepers, cheese-making farms and inns: Božnar Beekeeping, www.boznar.si, continues a long tradition of beekeeping in the area and offers a wide selection of honey products. Orešnik Cheesemaking Farm in Šentjošt above Horjul offers goat cheese-tasting. Contact: oresnik@siol.net. Gostilna Sv. Martin, www.sv-martin.si, a traditional Slovenian inn, is known for its excellent seasonal Slovenian food and wines. Meta Stvarnik
In Christmas time, the old town of Kamnik changes into a lively medieval town, enlightened by thousands of Christmas lights. In Kamnik, the most festive time of the year starts with St. Nicholas procession on Wednesday, December 5. It is followed by fairs, parades, street performances and concerts. On the New Year’s Eve, an open-air event will take place.
On the main square, a free of cost open-air ice rink will open on December 5 and remain there until the end of winter. There will be music and diverse entertainment programme. At Christmas Fair, different providers will sell their products; from local artists to local food producers. The programme
will be accompanied by a children’s bazaar, children shows and other outdoor events. Various concerts for young and old will be organised. www.kamnik-tourism.si Urška Kolar December in Kamnik; Photo: A. Hribar
14 City for Slovenia
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16
Multiple Awards for Ljubljana’s Green Policies On sunny days, regardless of the time of the year, the Ljubljanica river banks turn into the city’s living room. Now that a major revamp has been carried out, they are more beautiful and inviting than ever.
Redesigned Riverbanks; Photo: D. Wedam
Since contact with nature has always played an important role in the life of Ljubljana, permanent dedication to the development of the city’s green spaces is of key significance. The care for Ljubljana’s parks, tree-lined walks and other green spaces has always been received with applause from the city’s residents, but recently it has also won recognition from abroad. The City Municipality of Ljubljana’s
project ‘The Revamp of the Ljubljanica Banks and Bridges’ has become a joint winner of the 2012 European Prize for Urban Public Space competition (www. publicspace.org/en/prize/2012), which attracted 347 entries from 36 European countries. The project, carried out in accordance with the principles of public space landscaping as a motor of the city centre’s social and economic revitalization and an impetus to the city’s tourism industry, included the renovation of several embankments and bridges, the construction of five new bridges, the landscaping of a riverside walking path winding all the way from the Ljubljana Botanic Garden to the old city centre and connecting all the key points along the river, and the construction of several new river piers, which sparked an increase
in the amount of river traffic. The City Municipality of Ljubljana’s commitment to responsible stewardship of the environment has also been recognized in Slovenia. At the beginning of 2012, Ljubljana was named Slovenia’s Greenest Municipality of 2011, and in the autumn of 2012 The Planet EarthFriendly Municipality of 2012 in the category of municipalities with a population of more than ten thousand people. The letter title was awarded to Ljubljana in recognition of its energy efficiency efforts, responsible waste management, endeavours to raise public awareness of environmental issues, and sustainable forest management. www.ljubljana.si One of the major forces behind the development of Ljubljana city centre is Ljubljana
Tourism, which received this year’s Crystal Mt. Triglav award, handed out by the FIJET Slovenia association of travel journalists and referred to as the ‘Tourism Oscar’. The award is a recognition of Ljubljana Tourism’s excellently planned and systematically executed activities aimed at the realization of the development and marketing potential of Ljubljana and its surrounding areas. ‘Ljubljana Tourism has popularized the global image of Ljubljana as an exceptionally vibrant and pleasant Central European capital hosting countless events in its well-kept streets and squares, in the Tivoli Park area, and on the banks of the Ljubljanica. Over the years, the Ljubljanica has become a true magnet for residents and visitors alike.’ www.fijet.si Tjaša Janovljak
Winter Fun for Sporty People Put on Your Winter Jacket and Out You Go!
Low winter temperatures are ideal for fun activities in the snow and on ice, especially if they are located just around the corner and one does not have to drive far to enjoy them. One of the more popular winter activities in Ljubljana is ice skating, which can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. Ice-skating rinks are most frequently filled with children’s laughter, but it is also parents, older sisters and brothers, cousins, and uncles and aunts who love to whizz around the rink. Some of the rinks do not charge admission, but all of them offer skates for hire. Ljubljana’s ice-skating rinks are located in the BTC City shopping centre, the Savsko naselje suburb (www.luckyluka.si/stran/?D=62), the Zalog suburb (www.sportljubljana.si/park-zalog-623/ drsalisce-zalog-653/), and in front of the Hala Tivoli sports hall (www.lumpi.si/lumpi_klub/ aktualno/clanek?aid=9894), where facilities include a covered ice-skating rink for children, a mini rink with a roundabout, inflatable play equipment, a snowball field, and a ski and snowboard simulator.
When there is at least 10 centimetres of snow, Ljubljana is great for cross-country skiing, not only in the suburbs, but also in the centrally located Tivoli Park and at several locations just outside the city centre, in the areas of Murgle, Ježica, BS-3 and BS-7. The most popular are the cross-country ski tracks in the area between the Ljubljana Zoo and the Koseški bajer pond, and those alongside the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship, a circular path around Ljubljana. The trails vary in difficulty from those intended for recreational cross-country skiers to those suitable for experienced athletes who want to practice various cross-country skiing techniques (freestyle, classic). The most demanding is the recreational trail located in the Brdo suburb, which includes an activity field for training and a racing track. When the snow is plentiful, the Gunceljski hrib hill, located in the western part of Ljubljana, offers an opportunity for alpine
skiing down a short piste that has been there for over fifty years (www.ski.element.si). Snowy and sometimes grey winters do not prevent running enthusiasts from spending time outdoors. In the Šiška area of Ljubljana there is a newly opened 520-metre-long Mostec Trim Trail, which runs alongside the Večna pot road and brings you to the trim area next to the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship. This interesting trim trail offers as many as 15 different exercise stations along its length and an additional six at its end. Those who prefer to spend winter days somewhere warm can go swimming to the Tivoli Swimming Pool (www.sportljubljana.si/t-tivoli) or enjoy sauna at the Tivoli Park’s Savna Zlati klub sauna parlour (www.sport-ljubljana.si/park-tivoli) or the Atlantis Water Park (www.atlantis-vodnomesto.si). Tjaša Janovljak Živa Kasagič
Mostec Trim Trail; Photo: Sport Ljubljana Archive
Cross-country Skiing; Photo: Ljubljana Tourism Archive
Winter Fun; Photo: D. Wedam