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

From the ring road that bypasses Cluj as you come from Turda, you leave the road on the right side towards Gheorghieni, a village that belongs to the commune of Feleac. A few kilometres further on, also on the right, there is a signpost to the village of Aiton. That is the road to Trovantlanda place we have wanted to visit since April, when it was a construction site and I'd come in with work. We were thinking about it and since we knew it had been open since the end of May, we thought we'd see what it looked like ready. We were already on a working "holiday", so we arrived in Gheorghieni - Cluj, coming from ... Gheorgheni - Harghita, where we stayed a few days at the ... Pension 7 Flowers. We discovered a complex recreational 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 Trovans. A place where children have a playground, where you are greeted with a smile and feel welcome.

First Impression

The hillside location of the Trovantland complex 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 climb the paved road to Aiton, you'll immediately spot a marked Trovant that will show you the way to the complex. Up to the car park the road is gravelled, creeping junipers are planted along it, and solar lamps guide your steps, but especially your wheels, at night. To the junipers I'll return a little further down, in a context you certainly don't expect. The car park is at the end of this road, a little secluded, and the barrier at the entrance to the complex ensures peace and quiet for guests on the generous terrace and for children frolicking all over the place, enjoying outdoor play.

We arrived in the afternoon on an almost scorching day, so our first thought was a beer. We got it quickly on the terrace built from reclaimed woodnow furnished with retractable shades, thick wooden tables and comfortable chairs, a very successful combination. I say that because often, rustic tables in restaurants are accompanied by heavy chairs in the idea of emphasising the rustic. Simple chairs in Thonet style do not alter the spirit of the place in any way, instead they are comfortable and easy to handle.

The beer was brought with a smile, and ours"thank you"received the same answer each time: "cu drag".We travel around the country a lot and see that often our hospitality industry is far from hospitable. And when I come across this, common sense, cheerfulness and friendliness, I feel the need to point it out.

From Trovantland you can see Cluj, Gherla and even Pietrosul Rodnei

In contrast to the picture from April, the newly built guesthouse is finished, the window and terrace planters with mosses colour and give a fresh air to the place, and there is greenery all around, which emphasizes the Austrian air we felt on our first visit. The guesthouse has three levels: basement, ground floor and first floor. Being on a slope, the basement becomes the first level viewed from the valley, so it is bright and inviting. 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 work or sitting areas. The solid wood furniture has a simple design with straight lines. The large table and coffee tables in front of the sofas have reclaimed wood tops that can be admired through the glass protecting them. Well-maintained antique objects and lots of wooden decorations fill the picture, giving the space a pleasant family 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 Pietrosul Rodnei. At least that's what the hosts told us, we have never had such a clear day. It's a very pleasant place where you can laze at leisure and from where you can see the trovans spread all over the property.

All the rooms are very bright and the large floor-to-ceiling windows allow a comprehensive view of the surroundings. Here, too, the furniture is wooden, beautifully finished, and the decorations blend harmoniously, pleasantly blending the traditional with modern elements. The wood is not varnished, the colour scheme is dominated by natural colours. Everything is so well chosen, blended and dosed that it's hard to believe it's not the vision of an interior design specialist.

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

After settling in and freshening up we went out to 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 evening the terrace's garland of lights lights up and gives the place a pleasant holiday feel, and the oversized tulips and illuminated benches are a great effect when darkness falls. 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 see the light show of the setting sun. I must say that here 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 tartare with mustard ice cream or beef cheeks served with truffle mashed potatoes. The difference, however, is the decent prices for taste, plating and quantity. There are also dishes for those who prefer less sophisticated dishes, with the burger or traditional platter also on the menu. To start our meal, we chose to indulge in a cocktail and chose the Trovantland cocktail. It's a drink containing fresh juniper berries. It tastes and is prepared in a more unique way, due to the fact that the glass is smoked with rosemary before being filled. It's also interesting how the taste of the cocktail evolves as the mixture sits in the smoked glass.

This is just the beginning. After a recovery break, the sledging slope will be laid out

While we were at Trovantland we also talked to the Costin family about future plans. Because they don't stop there, they are determined to make this place one of the great attractions of Transylvania. Now they are in a break, but from autumn they will continue the improvements. 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 for rent, bike paths throughout the estate, an extension of the playground, a saltwater pool brought in from Cojocna Baths and more. We are sure they will do them, because things are not only happening well here, but also very quickly, despite what they say about the people of Transylvania. 🙂

At Trovantland it really is FAIN!