Slovakia is not Slovenia, although names of these countries sound very similar to many foreigners. If you participate in IFAJ Congress 2008 and in Pre-Congress tour, you will get chance to learn more not only about Austria but also about its northern neighbour, Slovakia, and its southern neighbour, Slovenia. It means to cover three countries in one trip. It is possible because of the small size of these countries; you will need to spend just several hours in the car or bus to get from one country to the other.
Why have we decided to invite you to Slovakia? Not just to show you similarity and differences between Slovakia and Slovenia. There are many other reasons. Most of you will land at the Capital of Austria, Vienna. Its airport Schwechat is pretty close to the Capital of Slovakia, Bratislava – only 45 km, and there is a regular bus line to Bratislava and because of Schenegen area there will be no more boarder obstacles. So why not to visit this cosy metropolis on the Danube River?

We want to show a little of this Central European country, which is a member of EU since 2005 and which in spite of its 40-year Communist history belongs among the countries with the biggest economical grows. For example, did you know that three known car producers  (Volkswagen, Peugeot-Citröen and Kia) manufacture their cars in Slovakia, making the country the biggest producer of passenger cars per capital in the world?
The Pre-Congress tour is scheduled to start on September 7 in Bratislava. At the end of the tour, we will take you by bus to the 2008 Congress City – Graz in Austria (230 km).
This is a tentative plan. Some details of the schedule may be changed.

Jana Janku, organiser of the IFAJ Pre-Congress tour, KPN (Club of Agro Journalists), Bratislava
Tel/fax: +421/2/20 705 739
Mobile: +421/908/705 739
Email: jana.jankuno@keinemail.ifaj2008.com

When: September 7-10, 2008
Meeting point: Bratislava, Slovakia, Tatra Hotel
Useful web sites:
www.slovakia.travel/

Registration

Until 12 am - Check in at the Tatra hotel **** (http://www.hoteltatra.sk/)
Hotel Tatra is situated right next to the Presidential Palace and awesome presidential palace gardens.
13:30 - Meeting in the hotel lobby
14:00 - Bratislava walking tour (http://www.bratislava.sk/)
16:00 - Coffee break
16:30 - Bratislava Castle sightseeing
18:00 - Dinner
21:30 - Return to the hotel

7:00 - Breakfast at the hotel
8:00 - Departure from Hotel by bus
9:00 - Tour the private  farm in Senec
An owner Zdenek represents a new wave of modern entrepreneurs.
12:00 - Lunch 
13:30 - Visit of the Red Stone Castle
16: 00 -Tour trough Folk majolic factory in Modra, souvenir shop
17:30 - Visit of the Slovak National Wine Salon in Pezinok - wine tasting 3+3 types of wines, meeting with the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture www.landgov.sk/ 18:30 - Dinner
21:30 - Return to the hotel

7:00 - Breakfast at the hotel
8:00 - Departure by bus to the cooperative farm at Kočín, with plant and animal production
12:00 - Lunch
13:30 - Departure to Piestany www.kupelepiestany.sk/, possibility of playing golf
17:30 - Walk through the town centre
18:30 - Dinner in the Chateau Salgovce, meeting with the British owners Ann and Davis Darry, wine and beer tasting, beer competition.
The Chateau is built in Baroque style by Hungarian nobleman Baron Šalgo in 1767 and is part of the chain Historic Hotel Europe now. www.thechateau.sk/.
21:00 - Departure back to Bratislava

6 am - Breakfast at the hotel
7:30 - Departure to Graz (Austria) by bus
11:30 - Arrival to Graz

Pre-Tour fees

Early bird (till March 31, 2008)
DBL room      420 EUR/person
SGL room      500 EUR/person

Registration from April 1, 2008
DBL room      460 EUR/person
SGL room      540 EUR/person

Registration