Dear friends,

I'd like to give you the latest information about this year's International Family Gathering in Rogla.

I can promise you a peak experience at Rogla for many reasons, including the fact that the Hotel Planje, primarily built for ski-ing, is situated right at the very top of the Mount Rogla at a height of 1,500 metres! There are panoramic views, toboggans on wheels going down to the lake at the bottom, and a chair-lift over the tall pines to carry you back up, as well as buses to the warm spa and old town at the resort of Zrece below.

The hotel complex offers every comfort and resort facility in beautiful surroundings. There are light, airy modern bars and restaurants, and a wide range of sporting facilities including a gymnasium, swimming pool and sports club and a sauna. There is also a traditional bar and restaurant with old, wood panelled walls, a log fire and marvellous panoramic views. Some of the accommodation is in the main building, some in nearby chalets with bathrooms, kitchen and dining rooms. The food is plentiful and the buffet system ensures that each person's needs can be met. Lunch is not included, but is best bought as required. It is not expensive, but I found keeping a little of the abundant breakfast quite sufficient!

Some web-sites with more information about Rogla and photographs are to be found at:

http://www.gradtur.si/zima/en/rogla/hotel_rogla_en.htm

http://www.rogla.si/cgi-bin/cms.cgi?doc=12870&sid=fBr0lRPGtg6A9xuF

http://www.slovenia.info/?hotel=1913

Programme

"I Choose Life"

John Christian and Shirlie Roden have come together with a new programme, I Choose Life, which will help you to live in the present, experience life to the full and wholeheartedly rediscover your joy of living. Their talks will be enlivened by inspiring music, practical exercises and joyful humour.

Key Presenters

John Christian (UK)

John's background in entertainment as a successful and charismatic singer, songwriter and comedian infuses his work with passion and with fun. At a crucial point in his life, John experienced spiritual awakening and then committed himself to helping others to realise their higher potential. John's workshops and concerts are thus not only powerful and joyful, but can also be deeply transformational. Today, John works in many fields, giving public and private seminars and retreats, and leading treks in the Nepal. He has come into contact with many seekers in the UK as a well-loved presenter at the Festival of Mind, Body and Spirit and at Alternatives at St. James's church in Piccadilly. More information about him is available upon his web-site: http://www.johnchristianseminars.com .

Shirlie Roden (UK)

Like John, Shirlie is well-known in Britain and Slovenia as a singer and songwriter and has also been a popular presenter at the Festival of Mind, Body and Spirit. She is in addition an accomplished playwright and composer: several of her musicals have had long runs in the West End. In recent years she has produced, in collaboration with Suzi Quatro, workshops and cds upon sound healing, a field in which she is a leader and has achieved remarkable results. Her concert tours in Slovenia have made her one of the country's most prominent singers. More about Shirlie's work can be seen on these sites: www.shirlieroden.com www.geocities.com/shirlieroden and www.qed-productions.com/srhealing

Stephen Haslam (USA)

We are expecting Stephen to fly in from Texas to join us and inspire us with his unique and lively style of presentation. Stephen is well-known in the UK and Slovenia as well as in the US, and has also spoken at the Mind, Body Spirit Festival and a variety of conferences in Britain. His teaching is practical and results-oriented, a fact which is reflected in his regular work with corporate clients. He is the author of the book Restaging Your Life in Three Acts, and more information about Stephen and his work, together with an article and a talk, can be found on his web-site, http://www.stephenhaslam.com .

Anthonie Graaf (Netherlands)

Anthonie's sacred and circle dances are a graceful and popular feature of every gathering in Slovenia, and there is no need to be an expert to join in!

Coming to Slovenia

The easiest way to go the Gathering from the UK used to be by Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) which flew to Maribor, only about ten miles from Rogla.
If this service is not resumed, the nearest airports it serves are at Graz, about an hour's journey away in Austria, as well as Klagenfurt, Austria, and Trieste, Italy, about four hours' journey away. Slovenia's old-world capital, less than two hours away, is served by Easyjet (http://www.easyjet.com) flights from Stansted and Adria (http://www.adria.si/index.asp?l=en&p=qb&m=0) flights from Gatwick. We will be happy to assist in arranging transport from the airport to Rogla.

Cost

To be advised, but was in the range of 114 - 180 euros last year, depending upon the type of accommodation chosen. A supplement of 10 euros per day for a single room and 1.30 euros per day tourist tax are also payable. Children under 3 go free, while those between 3 and 14 years are aligible for a 30% - 50% discount. A special programme for children may be provided if there is demand.

Bookings and Enquiries

Bookings for both the programme and the accommodation can be made through me. Payment in sterling for the programme after arrival is normally acceptable, while the hotel bill can be settled, by credit card if preferred, upon departure. I am also happy to answer any questions by e-mail at baw30s@hotmail.com or by telephone on 020 8771 3230; Breda Vukelj, the organiser, can also be contacted directly at bredav@siol.net , or by telephone at her office on 00386 45 780 408.