ABOUT SLOVENIA
Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meets the Karst. This small green country measures 20,273 km2 in area, and is home to sincere, hospitable people of great diligence. It has an exceptional number of top athletes, and a wealth of cultural creativity. In Slovenia it is not difficult to compare the value of goods and services, as they are priced in one of the world’s major currencies, the euro.
Slovenia has a population of two million, of whom the vast majority are ethnic Slovenes. People hailing from the other former Yugoslav republics make up a significant minority, albeit less than 10% of the total population. The Italian and Hungarian ethnic communities have protected minority status, despite their small size.
Slovenes are renowned as a diligent, hard-working nation, part of the reason that Slovenia is the wealthiest of the new EU members. They constantly aim to prove themselves and to progress. Their toil and persistence has allowed many Slovenes to achieve at the global level. A very good example is the country’s athletes, particularly those involved in extreme sports, from mountaineering and extreme skiing to ultramarathon biking and swimming exploits.
Slovenes are also very thorough in learning foreign languages to make themselves understood. Even primary school students can speak foreign languages. The majority of people can speak good English, while most have a good grasp of German. A large share of the population can communicate in the languages of the old Yugoslavia, while there are many fluent Italian speakers in the areas bordering Italy.
The collision of four major European geographical units has created a very invigorating landscape, much of it thickly forested. More than a third of the country’s area is protected.
The most mountainous region is the north, where the Alps begin. The Julian Alps and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps have many stunning sharp peaks. The peaks of the Karavanke, the mountains bordering Austria, are more gentle.
Much of the east of the country between Ljubljana and Maribor is uplands, as are the areas west and south of the capital.
There are gentler hills in the south-east and east, where the vine flourishes, while plains and basins populate the areas between the hills. The Ljubljana region lies in the largest basin.
Slovenia also has a large plains area, as the east of the country is part of the Pannonian Plain.
Not only is the land surface very invigorating, there are also wonders underground: some of the country’s 9,000 karstic caves are among the most beautiful in the world.
Source: http://www.slovenia.info
ABOUT LJUBLJANA
Ljubljana lies in a basin between the Karst and the Alps, some 298 m above sea level. We like to say that it is big enough to encompass everything one would expect from a capital city, while being small enough to allow people to retain their individuality. Ljubljana is a pleasant city to live in. The city is home to 280,000 people. Although it is not among Europe’s largest cities, it has everything one finds in other capitals: museums and galleries, one of the oldest philharmonic orchestras in the world, other orchestras, many theatres, a university, institutes and libraries.
The city’s increasingly vibrant commercial and trading life and the rapid increase in foreign diplomatic representatives are giving it an ever greater cosmopolitan touch. It offers a wide variety of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants. Relief from the hustle and bustle of life in the capital can be found in the numerous parks and woodland areas, which in some places reach nearly into the city centre.
Source: http://www.visitljubljana.com/
HOW TO GET THERE?
BY AIR: Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is the main airport of the country. It is located 30 km from the centre of Ljubljana and has good connections with other European cities. Different options of public transport take you from the airport to Ljubljana in around half an hour.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT FROM THE AIRPORT TO LJUBLJANA
Bus: Airport - Ljubljana
Monday to Friday5.00 / 6.05 / 7.00 / 8.00 / 9.00 / 10.00 / 11.00 / 12.00
13.00 / 14.00 / 15.00 / 16.00 / 17.00 / 18.00 / 19.00 / 20.00
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
7.00 / 10.00 / 12.00 / 14.00 / 16.00 / 18.00 / 20.00
The ticket for the bus from the Airport to Ljubljana costs 4,10 € and can be bought in the bus. The Journey takes 45 minutes and the last stop is the Central Bus Station in Ljubljana. Check the exact information about the departures from »letališče Brnik« at the web page: http://www.ap-ljubljana.si/eng/
Mini bus: Airport-Ljubljana
Departures from the Airport (Monday to Sunday)6.45 / 7.15 / 10.15 / 11.15 / 11.45 / 12.15 / 12.45 / 13.15 / 13.45
14.45 / 15.45 / 15.15 / 16.15 / 16.45 / 17.15 / 17.45 / 18.15 / 18.45
19.15 / 20.45 / 21.15 / 21.45 / 22.15 / 22.45 / 23.15 / 23.45 / 00.15*
00.15*
*A
*Prior reservation is needed.
A private bus company operates the route Airport-Ljubljana daily from 6.45 until 00.15. The drive takes 30 minutes and you can by the ticket at the bus (9€).
Shuttle Transport Markun
The Schedule is organised in accordance with the flight schedule of the airport. The buses leave after the plane lands and wait at the parking in front of the airport building. The ticket can be bought directly at the bus and costs 9 €. The last stop is the Central Bus Station in Ljubljana, but you can also arrange drop off at different locations in Ljubljana. For more information please see: http://www.prevozi-markun.com/#!__english
Airport transport limo & taxi
The Schedule is organised in accordance with the flight schedule of the airport. The buses leave after the plane lands and wait at the parking in front of the airport building. The ticket can be bought directly at the bus and costs 9 €. The last stop is the Central Bus Station in Ljubljana, but you can also arrange drop off at different locations in Ljubljana. For more information please see: http://www.mnj.si/
Because of the proximity of some Airports (Venice, Trieste – Italy, Zagreb – Croatia, Graz and Klagenfurt – Austria) to Slovenia you can arrive also by low cost airlines, flying to these airports. You can check for transportation possibilities to Ljubljana by using the shuttle service. For more information please check: http://www.goopti.com/index.php?lang=en
BY TRAIN: Ljubljana has good railway connections with all large European cities. The railway station is located in the centre of Ljubljana. Train travel within Slovenia is convenient and inexpensive. For more information please see: http://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en/passengers/slovenia
BY BUS: The bus is one possible means of reaching Ljubljana. For more information see: http://www.ap-ljubljana.si/eng/
WHERE TO STAY?
Ljubljana offers different options of accommodation; many hotels are located in the city centre and in the walking distance of the venue of the ECTS MA meeting. The Faculty of Medicine has on the basis of a special agreement with some hotels selected the ones, which could be interesting for you. The prices for accommodation in a double room with breakfast vary from 70-140 €/night.
Hotel Union: http://www.gh-union.si/index_en.php
Single room: 76-114 Euro; double room: 93-130 Euro
Hotel Slon: http://www.hotelslon.com/
Single room: 106-121 Euro; double room: 136 Euro
City Hotel: http://www.cityhotel.si/cms/index.xhtml
Single room: 90 Euro
Park Hotel: http://www.hotelpark.si/?sLang=en
Single room: 60-65 Euro; double room: 68-74 Euro
Please reserve your preferred accommodation; if selecting some hotel from the list above, you can mention the special agreement for the ECTS MA meeting. There is a variety of accommodations available also through different online reservation services such as www.booking.com.
For other options please check: http://www.visitljubljana.com/en/accommodation/
ABOUT THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LJUBLJANA
The Faculty of Medicine is one of the 22 faculties and 3 art academies which belong to the University of Ljubljana, the largest and oldest higher education institution in Slovenia. The University of Ljubljana was founded in 1919; one of the founding faculties was also the Faculty of Medicine. In 2009 our faculty celebrated 90 years of existence, this seems to be a short period in comparison with other medical faculties in our neighbourhood but it reflexes a long period of medicine development in our country. An important role in the development of medical education was played by Dr. Oražen, who left his heritage to the faculty and its students in the form of two Oražen's campus buildings. Initially, the study at the Faculty of Medicine lasted only for four semesters; the fifth and the sixth semester were added in 1940. During Italian and German occupation in the Second World War the Faculty ceased to function. In 1945, the complete Faculty of Medicine was founded. It has since developed two Departments: Dpt. of Medicine and Dpt. of Dental Medicine. Graduate study has also developed successfully, which has become largely interdisciplinary. The Faculty of Medicine co-operates closely with the Faculty of Pharmacy and other institutions of higher education in Slovenia. Currently 1900 medical, dental medical and PhD students are enrolled. Dean of the Faculty is Prof. Dr. Dušan Šuput, Vice-Dean for Medicine is Prof. Dr. I. Švab, Vice-Dean for Dental Medicine is Prof. Dr. Igor Kopač, Vice-Dean for Research is Prof. Dr. Tadej Battelino.
MAP
The Faculty of Medicine and the University Clinical Centre are located east of the city centre (approx. 10 min walking from city’s main Prešeren’s square - follow the Trubarjeva street).
Deanery building, Vrazov trg 2 (A on map): Dean’s Office, Student Office, Central Medical Library;
Main Faculty Building /venue place/, Korytkova 4 (B on map): preclinical departments, lecture halls, institutes;
International Office located at the Institute of Pathophysiology, Zaloška cesta 4 (C on map);
University Clinical Centre (UCC), Zaloška cesta 7 (D on map): clinical departments (Chair of Surgery and Internal Medicine);
Chair of Family Medicine, Poljanski nasip 58, (E on map): Erasmus coordinator for Family medicine and NPHC office;
University Dental Hospital, Zaloška cesta 2 (F on map): dental medicine departments and chairs;
Children`s Hospital, Bohoričeva ulica 20 (G on map): department of paediatrics
Clinical chairs are located in Clinical Departments of UCC in close proximity of main hospital building.
WHAT TO SEE IN SLOVENIA?
Ljubljana Castle
A mighty medieval fortress, a symbol of the Slovenian capital Ljubljana is an interesting tourist point, the idyllic grounds for long strolls just a glance away from the lively city centre. The Ljubljana castle offers many cultural, historic and entertaining events throughout the year.
More: http://www.ljubljanskigrad.si/home/
Postojna cave
A fantastic web of tunnels, passages, galleries and halls, the astonishing diversity of Karst features as well as easy access are certainly the main reasons for such popularity of the cave and a large number of visitors, which has already reached 35 million in 200 years. Postojna Cave is the best-known cave in the world. It is also the greatest tourist attraction in Slovenia and one of the world's largest karst monuments. Many books and other contributions have been written about Postojna Cave; speaking of tourist guides regarding the cave itself, almost 100 have been produced over 200 years.
More: http://www.postojnska-jama.eu/en/about-the-cave/
Bled
Slovenia has only one island but its uniqueness makes it more attractive than many an archipelago. Sheltered by picturesque mountains, the island reigns in the middle of an Alpine lake. Its charm has made it a symbol for centuries of a town to which guests from all over the world love to return. This town, which has already existed for a thousand years, is BLED.
On the island in the middle of the lake, the ancient Slavs worshipped Živa, goddess of love and fertility. Pilgrims later came to the church of St Mary on the island.
More: http://www.bled.si/en/
Piran
Piran is a very special, precious city. It is the best preserved cultural monument of Slovenian Istria and the closest neighbour of Portorož, the luxurious city of flowers. Each time one looks at Piran from a distance or from the air, one is overcome by feeling of surprise. Loved by the eyes of the people and by the eye of the camera, its image is known all over the world. When you visit Piran, you should take a closer look at its architecture, influenced by the Venetian Republic, which left its mark on most Istrian towns. Throughout time, Piran maintained the clustered medieval structure narrow winding streets, houses huddled close together, rising in cascades, the contact with the sea, numerous squares and churches. Tartini Square is the gem found in the very centre of Piran. It was named after the famous violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who made the town world-famous. His statue is located in the centre of the square. The city is surrounded by a circular wall. Piran is a member of the European Walled Cities Association. The city of Piran is a national historical monument.
More: www.portoroz.si/en
Škocijan Caves (Unesco Heritage)
The Škocjan Caves are a unique natural phenomenon, the creation of the Reka River. The Reka River springs from below the Snežnik plateau and flows some fifty-five kilometres on the surface. After reaching the Karst, that is the limestone surface, the river not only deepens its riverbed through erosion, but also by means of corrosion – it dissolves the limestone. In the first part of its course on the limestone, the Reka still flows on the surface, along an approximately four-kilometre-long gorge that ends with a magnificent wall under which it disappears underground. The Reka River blind valley is the largest in Slovenia. In the distant past, probably in the Early Pleistocene, that is a few hundred thousand years ago, the ceiling of the cave collapsed some 200 metres from the sinks; as a result, the collapse dolines Velika dolina (up to 165 metres deep) and Mala dolina (120 metres) were created, separated by a natural bridge, a remnant of the original cave ceiling. Above the caves, between the wall above the sink and the walls of Mala dolina, lies the village of Škocjan. Close to the houses, there is another entrance to the underground, a ninety-metre-deep abyss called Okroglica, which ends just above the underground Reka River.