Type: Tourist Farm/Vineyard
Price Guide 35 - 40 euros/night
Minimum nights: Single booking: 3, Itinerary booking: 2
Children welcome
Hlebec is primarily a vineyard and wine producer, presided over by the nice (see right) Milan Hlebec, and his son, Milan Hlebec. It is set by the side of a road in the village of Kog - although it's less like a village and more like a road with some houses beside it... and all surrounded by vineyards. Locally you will find some very serious wines indeed, not least those of Čurin, just down the road. Talking of wines, we are going to assume that you are visiting partly because you want to get an introduction to Slovene wines. We can arrange a tasting at Hlebec for you, as well as many other excellent local wineries.
There is a large common room, with fabulous views across the vineyards, and wireless internet... which is where I wrote some of this.
During the first week in August, the place is taken over by artists from all over the world, who come to paint the local landscape - examples of which can be seen on the walls of the common room.
The seven rustic guest rooms at Hlebec are properly simple (as they should be at this price!), but none the less comfortable for that. Everything is wood (no - not the sinks) and prettily furnished in the local style. The beds are very comfortable, and if you're lucky, you'll get a view over the vineyard out back in the morning.
Given that Hlebec is virtually at the border of three almost wholly carnivorous countries - Croatia, Hungary and Austria - it's a miracle there are any vegetables on the menu at all! But there are, mostly by way of huge salads. The kitchen is run by Milan's wife, Verica (pron. Veritsa), who will do all she can to feed you enough to last until you return. Whether that's after a day or a year, only you can decide. The food, by the way, is lovely-yum-yum.
 Milan and his son Milan have developed their vineyard and winery into one of the best in the region. We tried just about every one of their current lovely wines, starting with a zeleni silvanec - a very rare local grape: very fresh but just off dry. Next was a renski rizling, which explodes in the mouth, developing into something very complex, with a very long finish. This was followed by another local grape, Šipon, at 12.5% comparitively strong for the area. This I could only describe as tasting of macaroons and toasted almonds: intriguing, it says in my notes. A really beautifully balanced wine. A self-filtered chardonnay followed - unlike any I had ever tasted before. Having been coached by one of Slovenia's truly great vintners, Čurin, one of the strong points of the Hlebec output are their sweet wines. As these were after seven other varieties, my notes are a tad blurry.
We can arrange a tasting for you at Hlebec, and many other wine makers in the region. Just ask us.
Hike/bike
- the local countryside lends itself to pootling off on legs or wheels: rolling hills, gentle walks and lazy rides (but a few steep ones if you want 'em). There are four bikes available for renting.
Spa-ing
- There are a number of good spas nearby, but the best is a bit furrther, being our very own Sotelia.
Grape picking - as long as you're there during September or October.
Horse riding - a favourite Hlebec pass-time.
Sports
- wine tasting.
Maribor or Murska Sobota -
close enough for a good day trip.
Pony and trap races - we went to a meeting one Sunday in the middle of town. Fabulous fun.
Slovene, English, German
More than welcome.
Summers are warm - July and
August are the hottest months, with daytime temperatures
around 25C - while during spring and autumn you can expect
around 15-20C.
Winters can be very cold indeed, with deep snow sometimes
during January and February.
Hlebec is open throughout the
year (but you have to be an artist during the first week of August).
In the summer, shorts, T-shirts,
sturdy shoes or boots, something warm for the evenings
and something waterproof in case it rains, for daytime
adventures. In winter: wrap up!
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 Birmingham:
Trieste with Ryanair, Wednesday and Sunday only.
(Google map here)
Click here for directions and a local map.
If you get lost, definitely ask a policeman. Both Hlebec juniors have been in the force and the family is, um, well-regarded by the local constabulary. They might even give you an escort!
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