Social Program

Social Program & Excursions

The social activities will involve a Welcome Reception on Monday 18th of July, some organized Excursions in the areas around Trieste and a Conference Dinner in an exclusive location. 
You can now book and buy both the social dinner and the wednesday’s excursion through the shopping cart. 
PLEASE, BOOK THE SOCIAL DINNER AND YOUR SOCIAL EXCURSION WITHIN TUESDAY, MAY, 31ST.
SOCIAL DINNER (Thursday evening, 8.30 pm, price: 60 euro): Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel, Riva del Mandracchio, 4, Trieste.
EXCURSION (Wednesday afternoon, from 2pm, price: 50 euro): for further information about the two possible excursions see the section below. You could choose one among the two options below.
Miaramare castle trieste
SAMSUNG CSC
trieste

The romantic surroundings of Trieste: the Giant Cave, Castle Miramare and the Rilke Trail

 Program, details and resources

14:00 departure by bus from the Conference site
14:30-15:30 guided visit to the Giant Cave (alt.: Virgin Mary  
sanctuary / sightseeing)
16:00 departure for Castle Miramare
16:30-17:30 guided visit to Castle Miramare
17:30-18:30 free strolling in the Miramare Park
18:30 departure for Sistiana
19:00-20:00 walk the Rilke Trail from Sistiana to Duino
20:00-20:30 final meeting in Duino, perhaps something to drink
20:30 departure for Trieste centre.

The Giant Cave is listed by Guinness World Records as the tourist cave with the world’s largest hall: it is said St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome could fit inside it. The visit path covers a distance of 850m, descending 100m below ground level through hundreds of steps. The path is very easy and safe but physically demanding and appropriate only for people in good physical condition. Remind to wear comfortable shoes (hiking, trekking or trail running are best) and to bring something warm: the temperature in the cave is constantly around 8°C. Alternative activities (a visit to the Virgin Mary Sanctuary in Monte Grisa and an undemanding short hike with sea view in the surroundings) are available for those who prefer not to visit the Cave.

Castle Miramare was commissioned by the Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg, brother to the Emperor Francis Joseph I, in the mid-Nineteenth Century as his personal residence. The castle is built in white stone on a once barren promontory protruding into the Gulf of Trieste, around which the Archduke, a passionate botanist, envisioned a splendid park. The castle, still in its pristine condition inside and outside, regularly features among the 20-30 most visited Italian museums next to Uffizi, Pompeii and the Coliseum. The tragic fate of Maximilian and his wife Charlotte, who never got to enjoy the beauty of their residence, and of other later inhabitants of the place adds a haunting kind of charm to the visit.

Rilke’s Trail is named after the famous Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who lived for some time in nearby Duino Castle, a guest of the Prince Thurn und Taxis. It is very high on the sea amid the Mediterranean vegetation, with spectacular views on the Gulf of Trieste. As tradition has it,  these views and places inspired Rilke to write the Duino Elegies, considered by many to be his lyrical masterpiece. Again, hiking shoes or equivalent are appropriate; the Trail is very easy but the terrain is rocky and broken.

Duino houses: an enchanted small bay with restaurants by the sea, as does nearby Sistiana; whoever should feel like can book a dinner, stay for the evening and return by taxi (not included).

https://www.grottagigante.it/ (Italian only)
https://www.discover-trieste.it/code/15542/Grotta-Gigante
https://www.miramare.beniculturali.it/en
https://www.discover-trieste.it/code/15954/Rilke-Trail

Guided tour to Cividale and Collio*. 

Program

14:00 departure by bus from the Conference site
15:30 guided visit of Cividale
16:00 visit of the Santa Maria in Valle Monastery  and the Lombard Temple
18:00 departure to the winery
20:30 arrival at Trieste

Founded by Giulio Cesare under the name of Forum Iulii – where the name Friuli comes from – in 568 BC, Cividale became seat of the first Lombard duchy in Italy and subsequently the residence of the patriarchs of Aquileia for several centuries. We will visit the city center, the Santa Maria in Valle Monastery  and the Lombard Temple, which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.We will then move to Collio, area of production of excellent wine, where we will visit a winery and taste wines and local products.

The cost includes: transport by coach, qualified English guide, tickets for the monastery and the temple, visiting and tasting at the winery.

* The tour requires a minimum of 30 participants

cividale

Discover the Registration Fees and register to the Conference