Cluj-Napoca, Love Story of a Lifetime

Track Transylvania on the map and make sure you book a plane ticket to Cluj-Napoca, its biggest city. The University center visited by Oxford professors and students to exchange experience with the popular old Transylvanian schools and to enjoy Cluj's long summer nights out.

With a population of + 500.000 people, Cluj is big on charm and history.

Animated by students during the university year, Cluj-Napoca is at it's very best during the summer season. Borghese, romantic, with a beautiful history waiting to be discovered, Cluj is warm and welcoming with its cafes and arts culture. The city hosts festivals such as Untold, Electric Castle, TIFF (Film Festival), Septemberfest-extra reasons for you to explore this amazing vibrant place.

To me, Cluj-Napoca is HOME. Is my birth city, the city that educated me and made me the person I am today. Cluj is more than just a city, is my parent, my tutor, my roots, my memories, my friends, the smell of homemade food, the taste of childhood, my past and my future, my sister, my brother, my nephew, my dog, my house, my first love, my beginning- the place I'll always carry with me arround the world!

With the best Uni's in the country and one of the largest Botanical Gardens in Europe, Cluj is cosmopolitan, old and new at the same time and nevertheless teaches you how to enjoy life and discover your true passions. If you're into arts you'll find the best museums, street arts and crafts, old churches to visit and the medieval city side to explore. My favourite church, the gothic treasure St Michael's Church, with the tallest church-tower in Transylvania.

Ware comfy shoes and walk the city centre, making sure you'll explore as much as possible of the "Art Cities of the Future" a title given to Cluj-Napoca by the publisher Phaidon.

Save some time for a walk in the old romantic Central Park, go for a city view from Belvedere Hill, enjoy a fresh lemonade in the Museum's Market/Piata Muzeului and find a seat at "Charlie" terrace or enjoy a jazz evening inside. Charlie's life philosophy matches mine..."It is forbidden to bring inside your worries or troubles of any kind. If you insist on having them we are more than happy to sell you our own..."

Grab a bite at "Camino "(Museum's Market), a romantic boho-spot with delicious homemade dishes and observe the beautiful relaxed life-style of the city.

Pop in the Joben Bistro, another themed cafe with artfully decorated brick walls and go back in time trying the traditional cuisine. Enjoy the good vibe of the place and a glass of your favourite drink in the evenings.

Transylvania is world-famous for its traditional cuisine. Centuries of tradition, passion and art bring on the table romanian specialities such us Sarmale (cabbage rolls) ,Varza-a-la Cluj (layers of spiced minced meat and chopped pickled cabbage, served with fresh cream). You'll be delighted by these traditional dishes prepared in an old clay oven. If you love baked beans try Fasole frecata ardeleneasca (mashed beans),a dish served with caramelized onion, romanian sausages and transylvanian pickles.

As for drinks, try the popular romanian wine and you'll be spelled. If you prefer a liquor go for a traditional homemade one, called Visinata (sour cherries) or if you're after something stronger and you're familiar with the italian Grappa, go for the romanian version: Palinca

Cluj is famous for the Ursus bear , my favourite when at home ,on a hot summer day.

Don't miss the hungarian dessert Vargabeles (noodle cake) adopted by Cluj and brought to a state of art.

Other popular deserts: Papanasi; Cozonac (a romanian receipe) and Crema de zahar ars (an adaptation of the Creme Brulee). Try the Panemar Cluj oven-baked bread for a unique experience.

When in Cluj, you must try the best pancakes in the world at the original place "Razvanarie" , St. Tipografie No1, the only place that sales homemade pancakes in a jar. Everything there is organic, the gem is traditionally home made in a transylvanian village and the staff's smiles and positive energy are a bonus.

Thank you guys again for the takeaways- Zacusca la Ceaun-a must try, that I so much enjoyed back in London. There is no place like home!

You'll definitely appreciate people's hospitality and easily recognise Transylvania's capital as one of your favourites places to visit. If there, you'll have the chance to know and understand me better. Because at heart, I'll always be a Chic girl from Cluj:)

Love,

Corina Alexandra

Wanderlust in Style