Zakopane – a city of science.

During winter conferences and workshops an additional attraction, especially for visitors from regions with a milder climate, is the amount of snow and fairy tale scenery.

Although Zakopane is associated mainly with mountains, tourism, sport, as well as unique art, architecture and Podhale folklore – still it is not all that the city has to offer. Not everyone knows that there are many scientific conferences in various fields, including those with an international profile. Organization of this type of events just under the Tatras is convenient because of many reasons. The first is the base of hotels – offering, in addition to accommodation for participants they have conference centers. The second is a wide range of entertainment and relaxation after lectures and workshops – from the integration dinners in the regional inn with live music, through visits to some from the complexes of thermal pools to a trip to the mountains, or at least by cable car to Kasprowy or Gubalowka, to admire the Tatra nature. Conferences and conventions take place practically throughout the year, excluding summer, when even the scientists also want to regenerate after a year of work.

One of the events that we would like to recommend here is the Winter Workshop on Complex Systems. It is an event gathering young researchers from all over the world for discussing and working on complexity science. The main goal of the event is to engage participants in novel research projects on which they work extensively during the workshop. Additionally, the event will provide four world class scientists who will not only give lectures but also advise project teams. The 5th edition of the event will be held in Zakopane from 4th till 8th February. Previous editions were organized in Belgium, Spain, Serbia and Netherlands. More details can be found at: www.wwcs2019.org. There, participants can register and pay entry fees. The registration deadline is October 31, 2018.

One of the attractions are city rides in horse-drawn carriages. They are available both for individual tourists and larger groups (then usually larger cars). If you find a talkative driver, a good mood and integration in a happy atmosphere – guaranteed.

It is worth taking advantage of the free time to take the cabin lift to Gubalowka. The view of the city from above, especially just before nightfall falls, is forever memorable. This attraction is easily accessible also for organized groups.

Having a break in the lectures, participants can go for a walk around the city. Wooden, vintage villas evoke memories of the times when Zakopane was just gaining importance. The first sanatorium was established here, artists and writers came down.

When organizing a conference or workshop in Zakopane, it is worth inviting guests to one of the restaurants with a regional atmosphere. Will it be one of taverns with a highlander band playing live, or a more elegant place, as visible in the photo Goralska Tradycja – it will also give the opportunity to take a closer look at Zakopane architecture, admire on the walls works of art and handicrafts inspired by mountains, and try to regional unique dishes.