SOCIAL EVENTS
All
arrivals and departures for dinners and excursions will be in front
of Hotel Croatia.
Please
mark which excursions you are interested in on the Congress
Registration Form. Payment for the Conference Banquet and Congress
Tour to the Neretva River Valley are required in advance, at the
time of payment of the Congress fee. Other excursions may be paid
upon registration at the congress venue.
Excursion
routes may be modified or cancelled based on the number of
interested persons.
If you
have special dietary requirements or limitations, please make note
of this on the Congress Registration Form and we will ensure you
receive an appropriate meal.
SOCIAL EVENTS
&
EXCURSIONS SCHEDULE
WELCOME RECEPTION
SATURDAY, 8
SEPTEMBER 2007, 6 pm
All participants
and accompanying persons are invited to enjoy a welcome cocktail and
reception on the terrace of Hotel Croatia. Price included in Congress
registration fee.
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CONGRESS BANQUET—KONAVOSKI DVORI, KONAVLE
WEDNESDAY, 12
SEPTEMBER 2007, 8 pm
Participants and
accompanying persons are invited to come try some of the famous
Dalmatian specialties and local wines at the Congress Banquet, to be
held at the restaurant Konavoski dvori in Gruda, just inland of Cavtat.
The restaurant is situated in an enchanting ambient, among the beautiful
old stone architecture of Konavle, next to an old mill on the cascades
of the Ljuta River. Here in the gentle Konavle field, in the lush
centuries old woods along the banks of the clear Ljuta River, it is as
though time has stood still at the old mill. Meals are prepared in the
way our grandmothers prepared them. Our hosts will offer the best of the
Dalmatian specialties, prepared from home-grown ingredients in the
traditional way, and accompanied by a glass of fine Dalmatian wine.
In addition to the
delightful Konavle specialties, here you can enjoy the unique experience
of the nature surrounding you: the gurgling of the river, trout swimming
in the pools, clean air and an open hearth. The tables are covered with
hand embroidered tablecloths, and the food is served on specially made
porcelain dishes depicting motives of the local embroidery style.
Waitresses dressed in the famous Konavle folk costume will greet guests
with the traditional welcome of this region—a bottle of grape brandy and
a bowl of dried figs. Of course, a Dalmatian dinner without the sounds
of traditional klapa music is unthinkable.
price
per person: 45€
(includes bus and
drinks)—to be prepaid with the registration fee.
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SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF THE DUBROVNIK OLD TOWN
Monday, 10
September 2007, late afternoon
A walk through the
Town, proclaimed by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Monument of the high
category, is an experience that brings the visitors of Dubrovnik back
time and time again. This ancient town, surrounded by ramparts and
fortresses, is a treasure of architectural and cultural masterpieces,
well preserved over the centuries.
The sightseeing
tour will begin with a panoramic drive around the exterior of Old Town
walls. We will continue our walk through the Old Town and
the Cathedral and a number of other cultural and historical sights.
Price
per person: 26€
(includes bus and
tour guide)
"And were there
several Dubrovniks on this world, only one would be the true one: this
one, original, genuine, the only Dubrovnik of stone and light. The
Mediterranean connects it to the continents, civilization and peoples.
Incomparable Dubrovnik."
Jure Kaštelan
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CONGRESS TOUR: THE NERETVA RIVER DELTA
Friday, 14
September 2007, full-day
The Neretva River
is the longest river in the Adriatic Basin. The greatest length of its
course flows through the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with only
22.5 km of its course flowing through Croatia, forming a wide delta
draining into the sea. This is an area of unique habitats, rich in
various vertebrate and invertebrate species. The surface of the delta is
approximately 11,500 ha, including 2600 ha which is under special
protection in ichthyological and ornithological reserves. The area
bordering on the sea is a typical delta with a large number of lagoons,
and the region has accordingly been included in the Ramsar Convention.
The delta has been somewhat degraded under anthropogenic influences;
nonetheless it is only habitat of this type in the Croatian part of the
Adriatic Sea.
The Neretva and its
tributaries are a very important ichthyological area, inhabited with 49
fish species, many of them endemic. Some species are found throughout
the course of river, while others are present only in the lower reaches.
The Neretva Delta also contains a large number of fish species which
occasionally enter into this area from the sea. The delta, lagoons and
brackish waters are an exceptionally important habitat which create room
for the intensive growth of fry, which later spend their life cycle in
the sea or fresh water. Furthermore, these areas are important for the
migration of anodromous and catadromous fish species.
With the large
number of endemic species and great diversity, the mouth of the Neretva
River is one of the most interesting areas of Croatia. Five fish species
(Adriatic salmon, Neretvan spined loach, Dalmatian nase, Dalmatian roach
and Croatian goby) are found only in this river and in this area, there
are also 15 species endemic to the Adriatic basin. Due to changes in the
natural habitats and regulation of the water course, the majority of
endemic species is endangered.
In addition to its
natural importance, the Neretva Delta is also well known for its rich
heritage of Roman architecture. Therefore, the tour will begin in Vid,
the site of the former great Roman town Narona (1st–2nd
century). There we will view the architectural dig site (ruins of the
forum, walls and temples) and collection of sculptures and artefacts
recovered.
Lunch will be
served on the banks of the river, followed by a ride in typical
flat-bottomed boats to discover the wetland areas in the sleeves of the
delta.
Price
per person: 56€
(includes bus, tour guide, lunch and drinks).
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POST-CONGRESS TOUR: "SPIRIT OF THE ADRIATIC"
Saturday, 15
September 2007, full-day
Discover and enjoy
the “Spirit of the Adriatic” in an unforgettable day. The tour sets out
in the morning by ship from Dubrovnik and includes sightseeing of the
island Mljet, one of the most beautiful islands on the Adriatic.
For many tourists,
the island of Mljet has been
lost at sea. The island’s landscapes have been mentioned in tales of
Odyssey, Saint Paul, the Benedictine’s and the Mediterranean monk seal,
and the island is truly difficult to get to.
In terms of its
nature, Mljet is truly an island of distinctiveness and contrast. The
southwestern part of the island has been protected as Mljet National
Park, and there are many reasons why this should be visited. Its unique
panoramic landscape of well intended coastline, cliffs, reefs and
numerous islands, as well as the rich topography of the nearby hills,
which rise steeply above the sea and hide numerous ancient stone
villages. Mljet's outer coastline is exposed to the south sea and is
therefore steep and full of garmas—collapsed caves. The salt
lakes are a unique geological and oceanographic phenomenon of worldwide
importance. They originated approximately 10,000 years ago and were
originally, until the beginning of the Christian era, freshwater lakes.
The Mediterranean karst landscape hides two natural specialties. The
first are typical karst underground habitats: half-caves, caves and
pits. The other specialty is Mljet's blatine, which are rare
occurrences of brackish lakes, which vanish from time to time. There is
life in the lakes, but we know very little about it today apart from the
fact that people have caught eels and marsh birds in them for centuries.
Beautiful, rich forests once covered large areas of the Mediterranean
Coast, but they are rarely preserved today as beautifully as they are on
Mljet. The woods on Mljet gently descend all the way to the surface of
the lakes, thus creating an image of unspoiled nature.
Mljet is also known for its cultural and historical sights, which
testify to the continuous long history of this island, from the times of
the Illyrian tribes to the Roman Empire, through to the Dubrovnik
Republic and on to the present day. In the middle of the Great Lake lies
the little isle of St. Mary, an ancient Benedictine monastery and a
church dating back to the 12th century.
Price
per person: 90€
(includes bus, boat, entrance tickets to Mljet National Park,
professional tour guide, lunch).
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EXCURSIONS FOR ACCOMPANYING PERSONS
A tale of silk—a visit to the Konavle region
Sunday, 9
September 2007, half-day
(minimum 70
persons)
After breakfast,
the group will be transferred by bus to the Konavle region with a
professional tour guide. In the village Grušići, visit the home of a
local family that produces silk in the old, traditional way. Silk is one
of the oldest textile fibres known to mankind. During the Roman Empire,
it was sold for its weight in gold. Here, in the Konavle Valley south of
Dubrovnik, women keep alive the tradition of the ancient handcraft of
silk production. They cultivate silkworms that live solely on mulberry
leaves and produce the finest lustrous fibres known as real silk fibre.
Silk thread is mostly used for embroidery of the beautiful national
costumes of Konavle. We will then continue on through the Konavle valley
and have a refreshing drink and some dried figs at an old water mill
dating back to the time of Dubrovnik Republic. There, you will have the
opportunity to feel a breath of tradition and culture of this region,
while a folklore show will be performed exclusively for the group. After
a traditional snack with drinks, we will return to the hotel.
Price (per person): 44€
(includes bus transfer, tour guide, demonstration of silk production
with refreshments, folklore show, traditional snack and drinks)
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A
trip to a forgotten world—the Elaphite islands
Tuesday, 11
September 2007, full-day
(minimum 35
persons)
This excursion
offers sun, sea and relaxation from the moment the ship sets sail. Take
in the sun and enjoy a light breeze while the ship calmly cuts through
the sea surface, heading towards an almost forgotten world—the Elaphite
islands. A green oasis of citrus plantations, dense pine woods, sandy
beaches and palm complete the ambient of complete relaxation, peace and
harmony on these islands. Take a walk down the trails, and feel the slow
island life: men catching fish, chatting in the taverns or playing
cards, while the women sit on the verandas or prepare home-grown food in
the kitchen while the fragrant aroma wafts out through the lace-covered
window. Many legends of the once famous islands will be revealed just
for you—stories of coral divers, shipbuilders and sea captains, to
awaken these sleepy islands, if just for one day.
Price
per person: 47€
(includes bus transfer, boat, tour guide, fish lunch and wine)
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Medjugorje—a place of pilgrimage
Wednesday, 12
September 2007,
full-day
(minimum 35
persons)
Take a tour and
experience the spirit of Medjugorje, a famed place of pilgrimage.
Discover the phenomenon that has made Medjugorje one of the most famous
places of pilgrimage throughout the Catholic world, attracting million
of visitors. Since 1981, the Virgin Mary has been relaying her message
of peace to the seers. After Holy Mass, those who wish may visit
Apparition Hill where the Virgin Mary first appeared to the children.
Price
(per person): 47€
(includes bus transfer, tour guide and refreshments)
Passport or
equivalent document is required. Please check if you require a visa for
Bosnia
&
Herzegovina.
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For adventure lovers: jeep safari
Thursday, 13
September 2007,
afternoon
(minimum 8 persons)
A challenging task
for those who want more of an opportunity to discover treasures off the
beaten track. This off-road challenge will bring you closer to the real
life of the villages, a chance to admire some impressive intact scenery
and to take a deep breath of the intoxicating scents of the fields and
crystal clear Adriatic Sea. Our excursion will take you, in comfortable
four wheel drive vehicles, to the region of yet undiscovered possibility
for an off-road adventure, well known for its natural beauty.
This excursion is
for adventure lovers and for those wanting to become better acquainted
with the beauty of the Dubrovnik inland in an exciting way!
The 4x4 safari ends
at an authentic olive mill dating back to the times of the Dubrovnik
Republic, where a dinner of traditional specialities will be served.
Price per person: 81€
(includes guide, bus transfer, instructor, jeeps, lunch, drinks,
insurance)
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