Welcome reception
On Thursday afternoon, after the last session, a welcome reception will be held in the conference center, at the same room as coffee breaks and lunches (Exhibition room, level +2).
Excursion
In this MESON edition we offer three different options for a excursions. They have different difficulty levels, some offer more of the free time and some are more demanding.
Natural and Cultural Excursion I
Here we offer a visit to three beautiful places closely located in one of the most historical regions of Poland. The excursion place is located approx. 100 km from Cracow City Center and requires about 1:30 h of travel time each way. This will also require an early wake up on Sunday morning.
The Kielce Country Museum – Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia, part of the Kielce Countryside Museum, is an open-air museum showcasing the traditional architecture and rural life of the Świętokrzyskie region. Visitors can explore historic wooden cottages, farm buildings, and workshops that illustrate how people lived and worked in past centuries. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, the park offers an authentic glimpse into Poland’s cultural heritage. Guided tour takes 2 hours.
The Royal Castle in Chęciny, a medieval fortress dating back to the late 13th or early 14th century. Perched on a hill overlooking the town, it once served as a royal residence and a strategic stronghold. Today, the castle’s well-preserved ruins and towers offer panoramic views and a fascinating insight into Poland’s medieval history.
Paradise Cave, one of Poland’s most beautiful limestone caves, renowned for its stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and underground chambers. Discovered in the 1960s, it showcases breathtaking natural formations created over thousands of years. Visitors can explore its illuminated pathways and experience the remarkable beauty of the underground world. Typical visit lasts approx. 1-1.5 h.
Natural and Cultural Excursion II
Destination of the second of natural and cultural excursion is much closer located to Cracow, with only ~30 minutes of travel time each way. It will be more relaxed, slowly paced.
Ojcowski Park Narodowy/Ojców National Park, the smallest national park in Poland, known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, caves, and lush valleys carved by the Prądnik River. It combines stunning natural landscapes with rich history, featuring medieval castles, charming chapels, and unique rock formations. The park offers picturesque trails that showcase the beauty and heritage of southern Poland.
Main tourist attractions:
- Kazimierzowski castle,
- Ciemna Cave,
- Łokietka Cave,
- The Cracow Gate and the Spring of Love,
- Ojcowski Garden,
- The Chapel on the Water,
- Castle in Pieskowa Skała,
- The Hermitage of Blessed Salomea,
- Water Mill,
- Natural History Exhibition.
Park offers 5 touristic routes, length ranging from 5 km to 13 km, most of them described as suitable for beginners.
Scientific Excursion
As a alternative, we also offer visit to Cracow's science laboratories:
SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre
The Henryk Niewodniczański Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences
Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University
Each place would take circa 1-2 hours + commute time between them.
Conference dinner
On Monday all participants are invited to the conference dinner, which will be held in the Trattoria Wawel restaurant.
More
It is possible to book individual one-day excursions to the salt mine Wieliczka or the World War II concentration camp of Auschwitz. The conference office will be ready to help you with the arrangements.
