Travel story: Hiša Raduha
Next to the river of senses and flavors in the heart of Luče
Hiša Raduha is like a mysterious little box which you find between narrow and quiet little streets of the pre-Alpine village of Luče. As you approach the village, tranquility embraces you and provides a feeling that you’re entering a space where things are different. However, when you cross the threshold, a true treasure trove of experience opens up. These are more than just superlatives detected by your taste buds and other senses – these are the experiences that go deeper, right into the heart. Hiša Raduha is a place where pristine nature and thoughtful architecture meet, while culinary flavors combine stories of the village with the rich tradition of numerous generations. This is a place in which you unwind and find a deep, intimate connection with yourself.
In spite of two lively small rivers, the Savinja and the Lučnica, our first impression of Hiša Raduha brought a surprising sense of calm and tranquility – something one seldom finds. In this hidden corner of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps where time passes much more slowly than the current of the playful rivers, we felt that we were in for a treat. With more than one hundred years of history, Hiša Raduha didn’t promise only an architectural perfection and top cuisine, but also a deep experience intertwining nature, history and tradition.
IN THE EMBRACE OF ARCHITECTURAL PERFECTION
We settled in the Old Stall, ingeniously renovated building, in which hundred-year-old stone walls built with wisdom and a sense of past generations were brought back to life. The warmth of natural materials, such as wood and stone, is combined with lively architectural solutions resulting in modern comfort, while simultaneously preserving genuine homeliness. We felt a special atmosphere already upon the entrance. An interplay of historical charm and modern design that subtly lures you to relax and unwind. The interior equipment reflects timeless elegance that respects functionality and aesthetics. “Do things that are eternal,” says the Breznik family and this principle is engrained into every corner of Hiša Raduha.
From the terrace of the Old Stall, we looked at the Savinja River and beyond, the mysterious greenery on the opposite sunless embankment rising high above the roofs of old houses in Luče. Although the lush nature enticed us to explore the river and its surroundings, we decided to stay at the table in front of the house, comfortably settled on a soft pillow of the wooden bench, preferring to read. In the shade of wisteria with a cup of homemade herbal tea prepared by our hosts as a sign of welcome, we indulged in the serenity of this almost sacred space. While listening to the murmur of the Savinja that has been making its way along the green embankment for thousands of years, we found everything we needed right there and then: a cup of tea and a moment of inspiration. Instead of books, the river itself spoke to us.
After we had drank the tea, a bottle of excellent wine was brought to the table. It came from the other side of the Old Stall together with a talkative German lady in her early thirties who saw us as pleasant company. The evening then opened up to completely new horizons. Those who value the beauty of living always find common grounds.
GRAND LUXURY IN SMALL DETAILS
When the sun hid behind the peaks and the chill of the early fall evening kissed the valley, we started a fire in the fireplace of the Old Stall and watched the shadows made by the fire play on the walls. You cannot help but notice the degree of thoughtfulness invested in the renovation: nothing was done rashly or carelessly. Every detail, from the carefully selected wood to the simple, yet functional pieces of furniture, revealed the attention paid to the harmony between tradition and modernism. These walls were given a new lease of life with sensibility and wisdom. But that doesn’t apply only to the Old Stall, their Hayrack, the traditional Slovenian architectural particularity, was renovated into such an inspiring lodging that we have never seen before. The rustic exterior kept its authentic appearance, while the interior with large panoramic windows and unique furnishings, such as a comfortable hammock in the center of the space, provides a sanctuary for those seeking peace and creative inspiration. They have created a spot that invites you to dive into the joy of simple living with a sense of being a part of a deeper and more meaningful whole.
And then there’s the fantastic details. From soft felt slippers, carefully selected cosmetics made from lavender to hand-embroidered napkins embellishing the breakfast table – everything is designed with exceptional consideration and perfected down to the very last detail. Wooden birds in a nest on the table keep you company when enjoying your afternoon coffee and a well-stocked library with world literature opens up ingenious paths to new realizations. Even if we stayed a week, we’d probably find something new every day. Each detail you notice or hold in your hands expresses the diligence used to design the entire experience. Nothing is coincidental. Everything is intended to place guests in a state of relaxation and harmony.
“A house is not only a place to live, it’s a place to experience. Where each moment is molded into a greater story,” explained Martina Breznik during dinner as she placed before us a new tastefully and aesthetically perfected plate. But these words – that made her eyes lit up with love for decoration and design – assumed a broader context next to cooking, which has been her passion for many years. Cuisine is namely another form of art, which Hiša Raduha is famous for.
FLAVORS THAT TELL STORIES
Just like their architecture connects the past and the present, their cuisine narrates the stories of the place and the nature that surround it. Martina Breznik’s cuisine offers more than just food. It serves art that respects local ingredients and tradition, but also simultaneously reflects genuine creativity and a desire to explore new flavors. “Food is a matter of senses and emotions. Which is why, we’re fans of different forms, colors, smells, and flavors,” says Martina about herself and her husband Matjaž when she describes the essence of her cooking.
The menu in Hiša Raduha changes daily, depending on what grows in the garden and what the local suppliers bring from the neighboring farms. This is clearly reflected in seasonal dishes which Lili and I tasted during our stay. Smoked trout with herbs served in a fennel cream, a piece of top-quality Krško polje pork roasted and served with chestnut cream and whiskey and coffee sauce, and their famous obrnjenik bread made of buckwheat flour, double cream, and milk. The guests at every table quietly chewed away and nodded, praised the food and admired the intimate homely atmosphere in the pleasant dining room, regardless of which language they spoke.
»“With your way of cooking, you attract the guests you want,” says Martina Breznik from experience, as the fourth generation of women using the wooden spoon in Raduha House. “They come with expectations and you want to exceed them.”«
The opportunity to learn about each dish individually, from flavors to textures, and carefully selected wines chosen by sommelier Filip Breznik from the array of Slovenian wines was the experience that fascinated us. Not to mention the wonderful bouquets daily prepared by his sister Kristina, who is an architect by profession, but co-designs the comprehensive offer and image. And not to dwell at length on majestic walnut dining tables and other interior equipment, which impress everyone who sees them. Their brother Jaka is a builder and is involved in all of the carpentry work, woodwork, and new projects on the estate. Each member of the Breznik family has their own role and contributes to the overall experience of Hiša Raduha. Nothing is left to chance, but at the same time everything feels relaxed and natural, which gives off an equal sense of authenticity and sophistication.
WHEN SILENCE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS
When we finally had enough of the river sounds, we discovered that Raduha House not only boasts exceptional architecture and cuisine, but also perfect integration in the environment. Luče is known for its pristine nature. In the embrace of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, among forests and rivers, this is the place where an abundance of experience can be found in the timelessness of moments. We set out to the nearby Logar Valley and the valleys of Robanov Kot and Matkov Kot. I’ve been admiring these valleys all my life. High-mountain farmsteads still rule high above the valleys and live in harmony with nature while working the land and keeping the livestock in a traditional manner. They are like windows into the past, immensely authentic and infinitely precious.
One of the best experiences we had was a morning walk along the river, wading through cold river pools with rolled-up pant legs. It’s easy to describe the aesthetic pleasure of it, but it was something much deeper than that. We stopped every now and then and listened to the murmur of the river, as it rolled over rocks and small falls, and the whisper of the wind in the treetops on the other side of the river. These sounds are the absolute contrast to everything that surrounds us in everyday life. You feel… joy. You feel nature and its raw power and recognize the primal beauty hiding in its majesty. Two bends above the river, we found the fairytale place for our morning workout on a forest path. With murmuring Savinja in the radiating bath of sun rays and accompanied by one spectator, a colorful frog, which scared us more than we scared it in the morning stillness and timelessness.
WHERE EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE FINDS THEIR WAY
Hiša Raduha is not just a lodging or a restaurant with top cuisine. It’s a place where architecture, cuisine and nature work together in spontaneous harmony, where everyone feels as a part of something greater. We only sensed this upon our arrival, but when we left, we knew for sure that what Hiša Raduha truly provides is the values, in food, space, and in people. It gives what the world is craving the most today.
The Breznik family has created a space that combines the past and the future, where each plate, each room they decorated and each view of nature is carefully designed to deliver the perfect experience. What’s best about it is that everything they offer only exists here. The value they share with their guests cannot be taken away or copied. This experience exists and functions only because it’s part of this valley, this river, this family. Everything is energy and they masterfully combined and gave meaning to it. Everything is made in their way.
“Everyone has to follow their own path,” says Martina.
Indeed, everything and everyone follows their own way. Even us, when we seek an inspiring shelter to reconnect with what matters to us. The true value of Hiša Raduha is not only in what it offers, but also in the feeling it leaves within. This is the place to reconnect with the essence: oneself, nature, and the surrounding world.
