Congress Venue
Grand Hotel Bernardin Portorož is the epitome of an ideal conference location. Situated in the picturesque town of Portorož, Slovenia, it offers state-of-the-art conference facilities, breathtaking sea views, and luxurious accommodations. With its impeccable service, diverse dining options, and proximity to the beach, it creates the perfect environment for a successful and memorable conference experience.
St. Bernardin Resort is distinguished by its unique location between two breathtaking cities that offer visitors authentic cultural diversity. Piran offers an attractive history inspired by modernism. On the other side, Portorož, surrounded by one of the oldest salt pans in Europe and typical Istrian hills. It combines 3 hotels and the Congress Center under one roof.
The Bernardin Congress Center is a multifunctional center of business excellence and Mediterranean authenticity, which enables the organization of a wide variety of events: congresses, seminars, workshops, various presentations, press conferences and business meetings, as well as banquets, fashion shows, formal dinners and events. There are 19 modernly equipped multipurpose halls with natural light, with the largest Europa, accommodating 1,100 participants. An important feature is the flexibility of the rooms, which can be quickly partitioned into smaller sections or completely opened if there is a need for exhibition space. The additional offer of the congress center includes cabins for simultaneous interpretation, wireless Internet with a capacity of up to 5,000 users, a freight elevator with a capacity of 10 tons, which allows placing cars or other larger products directly into the hall, a VIP room for special meetings, a business center, registration rooms and lobby, offices for organizers and 2 banquet kitchens for food and beverage preparation. Top-quality services are rounded by professional, dedicated and experienced staff.
Accommodation facilities
The venue offers a selection of different accommodations, ranging from luxury 5* to a more budget friendly 3* rooms. All facilities include a buffet breakfast. Additional accommodation is available at various hotels in the towns of Piran and Portorož, which are accessible by walking (20 minutes to Piran and 25 minutes to Portorož) or by public transport. Special budget accommodation for approximately 15 students will be available at Marine Biology Station in Piran, which is approximately 5 minutes walking distance from the congress center.
Travel connections to Portorož
Slovenia’s central location in Europe makes it easily accessible, even for travelers seeking the Slovenian coast. Situated between Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia, it allows for convenient road, rail, and air connections. Within a few hours’ drive, visitors can reach the beautiful Slovenian coastline.
The 17MCM will be held at the St. Bernardin Convention Centre. The Convention Centre is situated on a peninsula between Portorož and the medieval town of Piran, and built around the ruins of the 15th century St. Bernardin church.
Travel information
Participants arriving by plane are advised to book Ljubljana Airport (Airport Jože Pučnik, Ljubljana), Aeroporto di Trieste (Trieste, Italy), Aeroporto di Venezia (Marco Polo, Venice) or Zagreb Airport (Franjo Tudžman Airport) as their final destination.
Ljubljana Airport is located 26 km north of Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana. From Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana city you can travel by shuttle, taxi or bus. Airport shuttle and taxi services are available in front of the airport building. There is also a bus connection between the airport and Ljubljana several times a day. From Ljubljana, you can continue on your way to Piran by bus or by train. The train from Ljubljana will terminate in Koper, from where you can take a bus or taxi to Piran.
Trieste airport is located 33 km from the city of Trieste. From there you can travel to Piran by bus, by taxi, by rental car or by train. Venice airport has good train connectivity to Trieste and from then on you can travel to Piran.
By Car
On the highways from the directions of Trieste (Italy) and Ljubljana (the capital of Slovenia), and the main road from Pula (Croatia).
Info: http://www.amzs.si/
Good roads and short distances offer an excellent opportunity to explore the beauties of Slovenia by car. Please note that traveling with your car requires buying a car VIGNETTE for using the highways. The vignette can be bought at the border crossings or at petrol stations all over the country. A one-week vignette can be used for short visits.
By Bus
- From Trieste (Italy) to Koper, Izola, Portorož and Piran
Info: http://www.aptgorizia.it/ or http://www.autostazionetrieste.it/ - From Ljubljana to Koper, Izola, Portorož and Piran
Info: http://www.ap-ljubljana.si/ - From Croatian Istria (Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Umag)
Info: http://www.autotrans.hr/
By Train
- By railway to Ljubljana and then from there to Koper railway station
Info: http://www.slo-zeleznice.si/ - By railway to Trieste (Italy)
Info: http://www.trenitalia.it/
Shuttle Service, SUN – TOURS d.o.o.
Located at Histrion Hotel, Obala 2, 6320 Portorož, Slovenia
contact: suntours@siol.net
Slovenia
Slovenia is in the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plain meets the Karst. The fusion of four major European geographical regions has resulted in an energizing, densely wooded environment. Over a third of the country’s land area is protected.
This country combines a variety of landscapes such as green mountains, lakes, waterfalls, forests, caves, hills, plains, rivers, and the sea – all of it in this little green nation of 20,273 sq. km. Outstanding nature is concluded with historic buildings, castles, churches, and green parks, where historical heritage meets modern living and is home to a genuine, hospitable nation of strong diligence.
Portorož
The glow of the sea and the sun, the wind, and salt strokes the authentic Mediterranean towns on the Adriatic coast where every one of the 47km paints a different picture.
The longest tourism tradition is held in Portorož, as it was mentioned in 1251 as “Portus sanctae Mariae de Rosae”. The town got its name due to the outstanding surrounding nature as its name means Port of Roses. Tourism began to bloom after the year 1897 when it was declared a spa town because the positive effects of the mud in the nearby saltpans were discovered.
Nowadays Portorož is a tourist resort with various hotels and state-of-the-art swimming pools and a broad choice of culinary experiences and events. It’s a popular centre for conferences and meetings, with numerous conference halls capable of hosting up to 1,500 guests. The town also offers casino visits, a marina, and a natural health resort with its own wellness centre. There is also a small international airport located 5 km from Portorož. A far-reaching choice of entertainment, sports activities, and relaxation is provided in Portorož. It is firmly associated with the most boutique of the medieval towns on the Slovenian coast Piran. This antique port is narrowed onto a peninsula that was protected by the town wall in the Middle Ages. The soul of Piran lies in Tartini Square, which is secured in its entirety as a cultural-historical monument. The town preserves its original layout, with narrow streets and close-packed houses climbing up in steps towards the rim and overlooking the coast. Piran is also home to an aquarium, Sergej Mašera Maritime Museum, and the most famous building in Piran called Benečanka.
The Mediterranean cuisine and well-stocked cellars are famous for many of the restaurants in the coastal region. Well-known wines include the red Refosco and the white Malvasia.
In between Piran and Portorož there lies the city of Bernardin, which is noteworthy for its modern congress centre set on the hillside with panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and Slovenian coast. From Bernardin, you are 10 minute’s walk away from Piran and Portorož.
