I went to Trovantland. It's about hospitality, food and beautiful sunsets

From the ring road that bypasses Cluj as you come from Turda, the road to Gheorghieni, a locality that belongs to the commune of Feleac, is on the right side. After a few kilometers, also on the right, there is a signpost to the village of Aiton. That is the road to Trovantlanda place we've wanted to revisit since April, when it was a construction site and I'd come with work. I kept thinking about it and as I knew it had been open since the end of May, I thought we'd see what it looked like ready. We were already away on a working "vacation", so we arrived in Gheorghieni - Cluj, coming from ... Gheorgheni - Harghita, where we stayed a few days at the Pension 7 Flowers. I discovered a complex recreation space, because Trovantland is not just a hostel or a restaurant. It is a place in the middle of nature, with enchanting views, where you can recharge your batteries, spend a pleasant evening with your family, eat well, admire the sunset and walk among the trovants. A place where children have a playground, where you are greeted with a smile and feel welcome.

First Impression

Trovantland's hillside location makes it visible from afar, and the red of the giant tulips in particular will catch your eye if you are coming from Cluj. As you walk up the cobbled road to Aiton, you'll immediately spot a Trovant sign pointing the way to the complex. Up to the parking lot, the road is graded, crawling junipers are planted along it, and solar lamps guide your steps at night, but especially your wheels. I'll come back to the junipers a little further down, in a context you're surely not expecting. The parking lot is at the end of this road, a little secluded, and the barrier at the entrance to the complex ensures the peace and quiet of the guests on the generous terrace and the children who romp all over the place, enjoying outdoor play.

We arrived in the afternoon, on an almost scorching hot day, so our first thought was a beer. We got it quickly on the terrace built from reclaimed wood, now fitted with retractable shades, tables with thick wooden tops and comfortable chairs, a very successful combination. I say this because rustic tables in restaurants are often accompanied by heavy chairs to emphasize the rustic. Simple chairs in Thonet style They don't detract from the spirit of the place, but are comfortable and easy to handle.

The beer was brought with a smile, and ours "thank you" received the same answer every time: 'cu drag". We travel the country a lot and we see that often our hospitality industry is far from hospitable. And when I encounter this, common sense, cheerfulness and kindness, I feel the need to emphasize it.

From Trovantland, you can see Cluj, Gherla and even the Rodna Rock

In contrast to the picture from April, the newly built guesthouse is finished, the window and terrace window boxes with mosses give the place a fresh and colorful look, and there is greenery all around, which emphasizes the Austrian air we felt since our first visit. The guesthouse has three floors: basement, ground floor and first floor. Being on a slope, the basement is the first level seen from the valley, so it is bright and welcoming. Here there is a small dining room and a bar with an exit to one side of the guesthouse where there is a small swimming pool, very popular with children. The staircase up to the next level is lined on one side with white birch trunks joined together in a very natural way with branches.

The first level is open and bright. There are 2 bedrooms and a generous living room with spaces to work or relax. The solid wood furniture has a simple, straight-lined design. The large dining table and coffee tables in front of the sofas have reclaimed wood countertops that can be admired through the glass that protects them. Old, well-maintained objects and lots of wooden decorations complete the picture, giving the space a pleasant homely feel. On the top floor there are 4 other rooms and the terrace from where you can see Cluj, Gherla and on clear days, the Rodna's Pietros. At least that's what the hosts told us, we have never had such a clear and clear day. It's a very pleasant place where you can laze at your leisure and from where you can see the trovan scattered all over the property.

All the rooms are very bright and the large floor-to-ceiling windows allow a sweeping view of the surroundings. Here too, the furniture is beautifully finished in wood, and the decor harmoniously blends traditional and modern elements. The wood is not stained and the color scheme is dominated by natural colors. Everything is so well chosen, blended and proportioned that it's hard to believe this is not the vision of an interior design specialist.

Trovantland cocktail, beef cheeks with truffle puree, steak tartar with mustard ice cream and other goodies

After settling in and freshening up we went out for lunch where more pleasant surprises awaited us. We sat on the bustling terrace, a sign that Trovantland is no longer a novelty in the area. In the evenings, the terrace's string of lights comes on and gives the place a nice holiday feel, and the oversized tulips and illuminated benches are a big hit when it gets dark. Despite the very generous space, the atmosphere is pleasant and homely. Many couples, couples with children, whole families, groups of friends come to spend the evening and watch the sunset light show. I have to say that I have seen some of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises in Romania. The restaurant also has indoor spaces for the days and seasons when the terrace cannot be used.

At first glance, the menu looks like that of an exclusive restaurant, with dishes such as seafood risotto, beef tagliatta with rocket salad, steak tartar with mustard ice cream or beef cheeks served with truffle mashed potatoes. The difference, though, is the decent prices relative to taste, plating and quantity. There are also dishes for those who prefer the less sophisticated dishes, the burger or the traditional platter are also on the menu. To start our meal, we opted to indulge in a cocktail and chose the Trovantland cocktail. It is a drink containing fresh juniper berries. It has a more distinctive taste and preparation, as the glass is smoked with rosemary before being filled. It is also interesting how the taste of the cocktail evolves as the mixture sits in the smoked glass.

This is just the beginning. After a break to recover, the sledding hill is next

While at Trovantland we also talked to the Costin family about their future plans. They are determined to make this place one of Transylvania's top attractions. Right now they are on a break, but from the fall they will continue with the renovations. Just as welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic as at the first meeting, they told us about the project they want to be ready in winter 2021 - the toboggan run.

They also have plans for wooden cottages to be rented out, bicycle paths all over the estate, an extended playground, a salt water swimming pool brought from Cojocna Baths and much more. We are sure that they will do them, because here things happen not only well but also very quickly, despite what they say about the Ardelenians. 🙂

At Trovantland it's really cool!