At the end of June when the holidays begin and pupils and students return home to their families, the premises of the Janez Levec Center become empty and lonely. You usually can't hear the bustle and noises coming from the playgrounds and from under the trees in the park. However this year, until the 17th of August, the center has decided to open its doors to all Ljubljana visitors in search of accommodation and a friendly environment. At the same time the center will ensure summer jobs for its regular users.

A young Estonian broke the ice
"Almost the entire work at the hostel is done by our pupils. They also work at the reception desk. They've been given important tasks, with which they're building up their self-confidence," says their mentor Irena Nose, talking to radio station Val 202. Ms. Nose supervises all the tasks performed at the hostel. Guests leaving the hostel are very satisfied with the service. The hostel wasn't advertised before being open, so the first day was a bit disappointing as they didn't welcome any guests at all...

But then the first tourist eventually showed up at the reception desk. It was a young Estonian female. According to Ms. Nose she was surely the "most warmly welcomed guest that day in Ljubljana." And very soon others followed... Web comments by those who have visited the hostel are excellent. For example one guest from Austria returned three times.

He especially enjoyed the Slovenian breakfast.
"The Hostel pri Janezu is situated in the center of Ljubljana under the Ljubljana castle. Most of the main tourist attractions are just a 10 minute walk away from the hostel: the main market, the castle, the cathedral, Ljubljana's Town Hall, the Triple Bridge, the Prešeren Square and Congress Square. And despite its central location, the hostel is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which allows our guests to take pleasure in our garden tree shades or relax in our sports areas. Painted walls and rainbow pictures, created by our children and youths, bring warmth and homeliness to our space," is what it says on the hostel's web page.

The hostel, which strives to enhance the traveling experience of its visitors, also aims at achieving the social inclusion of young people with special needs. "Our young people feel that they are needed and that they are important. That makes me very happy," is what Ms. Nose added. Val 202 listeners chose her as Name of the Week.

A proper Slovene breakfast and car wash
Guests which would like to have their own room have to pay 22 euros per night. If they share a room the price is 17 euros each. A proper Slovene breakfast, a special treat provided by the hostel, is included in the price.

An added value to the offer is having your car washed. The service starts next week, when one of the young diligent workers returns back from his much deserved holiday (although he was quite worried how they would run the hostel with him being absent!). Even those not residing at the hostel will be able to offer their cars a wash for only a few euros.

A. K. ; translated by K. J.