Type: Boutique Hotel
Price Guide 96 - 135 euros/room
Minimum nights: Single booking: 3, Itinerary booking: 2
Superb restaurant
Our first introduction to Hiša
Franko (pron.
Hisha Franko - Franko's House) was for a wedding. The
previous evening, we arrived a little later than the
others, so Matej (the head waiter, pron.
Matay) showed us into the dining room and presented
us with a menu. That's when we figured we were in for
something very special. And when the food arrived, we
knew we wanted to live here.
A while later, we returned to stay
in the hotel. Admittedly, it's not quite up to the standard
of the restaurant - but that's only because the cooking
sets the highest possible standards. Our room was very
nicely designed, with a walk-in shower room, a very
big comfy bed and plenty of hanging space.
 The next morning we talked for ages
with Ana, who told us that when she and Valter took
over the restaurant from Franko himself, she couldn't
cook a thing... although she considered herself a bit
of a foody. So she taught herself - to the point where
she runs the restaurant. The week after we left, they
took themselves over to England for the day, just so
that they could eat at the Fat Duck. These people are
seriously dedicated.
Valter, who
is a trained sommelier, will lead you gently through
the labyrinth of Slovene wines... a very satisfying
experience. Matej is also an excellent guide.
Each of the ten rooms is individually
styled. And something like the same attention to detail you find in the cooking is mirrored in the rooms. The decor manages to be both modern and soothing: the perfect place to start or end your day in Slovenia. All rooms sleep two people, but
extra beds can be provided for couples with small children.
There are now three extra little 'Diddy' rooms: as long as all you need is a place to rest your weary head (and legs, probably), they're just the job. They even have little balconies, by the way.
Make a booking enquiry now...
:
> Courgette flowers stuffed with local fresh cream cheese, roasted cherry tomatoes and black olive ice-cream.
> Slow-cooked, marinated octopus with celeriac puree.
> Scallops with redcurrents and porcini powder.
> Beetroot gnocchi with rich parsley sauce and sour cream
> Rabbit wrapped in spek and roasted in a ginger crust.
> Roasted figs with froopy blrrp... by this time my notes are blurred, as a whole load of fabulous Slovenian wine had been quaffed.
What a job. |
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Fantastic - you stay in a great
hotel and the best restaurant for miles is in the same
building. All produce is organic and grown locally,
the wine is chosen by a master (only a small 'm' so
far) and the water spills from the spring behind the
house. The cooking can best be described as Modern Slovene
- taking traditional recipes and refining them into
something new, extremely tasty and very wholesome. For
one of our meals we had nettle risotto and smoked duck
breast in crispy pockets served with fresh stracchiano
to start, mains of deer fillet with pumpkin mash, sundried
plums and chocolate sauce and crusted beef with herb
salad. Dessert was one of those experiences that I will
never forget: a chocolate souffle with 'a melting heart
of white chocolate and mint'. Melted our hearts, anyway.
The wine was also very exceptional.
Note that apart from July and August, the restaurant is closed
on Mondays and Tuesdays (a Slovene thing), but breakfast is still
available (and very, very good: the locally cured bacon is soooo good).
Go hiking.
Walking trails lead you up over mountain passes to alpine
lakes or along river valleys to hidden waterfalls. Ana
and Valter will advise.
Fly-fishing.
The Soča river is the home of the unique marble trout.
A permit will cost around £75 a day, which can
be arranged for you.
Sitting
by the Soča river is a favourite pursuit, jumping in
the river is also a favourite pursuit for those who
like their water cold.
Sports: White water rafting and kayaking can be arranged in
Kobarid or Bovec from a number of expert companies -
charges are around £25.
Canyoning, paragliding, gliding and skydiving (July/August)
can also be arranged for the terminally crazy.
Take Away!
Sublime picnic boxes for two, so you won't be without Ana's cooking for too long: 35 euros |
Full day
trips can also be made
to the coast, the Postojna caves, Lakes Bled and Bohinj, Cividale, Udine
and Dobrovo (for wine lovers).
Slovene, English, German, Italian
More than welcome and loads for
them to do in the area.
You might be in the mountains,
but the Soča Valley is warmed by winds blowing up from
the Adriatic. July and August are the hottest months,
with daytime temperatures around 25C, while during spring
and autumn you can expect around 15-20C. Evening temperatures
will be rather lower, so bring something a little warmer.
The area does boast the highest rainfall in Slovenia
(which is why it is so lush), so expect at least one
rainy day.
Hisa Franko is open throughout
the year. Obviously, it excels in the summer months,
although our favourite times are spring and autumn.
Good for winter too, if you like that sort of thing.
Discounts for more than one night.
Shorts, T-shirts, sturdy shoes
or boots, something warm for the evenings and something
waterproof in case it rains, for daytime adventures.
Something nicer for the evenings in the restaurant.
AVIS - click on this link and you will open a new window for the Avis Slovenia website, from where you can book your car.
Closest destination airports are in this colour.
Click on the airline name to open their web page in a new window.
From Gatwick:
Ljubljana with Adria (the national airline).
From Stansted:
Ljubljana or Rijeka with EasyJet.
Trieste, Klagenfurt, Graz or Balaton with Ryanair.
From Luton:
Zagreb with Wizz.
From Manchester:
Ljubljana with Adria (summer months only).
From Bristol:
Venice with EasyJet.
From Birmingham:
Trieste with Ryanair, Wednesday and Sunday only.
(Google map here)
Click here for directions from Ljubljana or Trieste (Trst).
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