The Christmas Ball in Festival Hall will take place next Monday in the Academic College building in Ljubljana, designed by Slovenia's greatest architect Jože Plečnik.

"The dance hall, which you are led to by a monumental staircase with columns and decorative sculptures, is certainly one of the most beautiful dance halls", the organisers say.

Together with dance teachers, you will dance to the rhythms of waltz, tango, foxtrot, disco fox, samba, cha cha cha, rumba, jive, salsa, bachata and mambo.

Invited to the dance floor are dancers of all generations with different skills. "We are convinced that dance will become an important part of your free time."

More information at: www.pionirski-dom.si/

Runners are meanwhile invited to join the 5th Goricatlon, a six-hour running event with a humanitarian cause, taking place on on Saturday in Nova Gorica (W).

Invited to participate are teams of six runners (or fewer), with each runner running for about an hour and handing over to the next runner.

The run will take place near the main city park, with one lap measuring around one kilometre, with teams donating one, two, three or five euro for each lap they cover.

The entire proceedings will go for humanitarian purposes. More information at: http://goricatlon.si

The 6th Christmas Hike around Dwarf's Cottages is a recreational event with a touch of wine and food tasting taking place in the Rogaška Slatina spa resort (NE).

The hike will take the participants up and down the surrounding hills, ending at the local ski resort with a lunch and a party. "Don't forget to bring your headlamps," the organisers say.

More information at: www.rogaska-tourism.com