If you are looking for something Romanian, authentic and wild… in the best sense, Casa Glod is a must. Situated in a remote spot from Alba county, Transylvania, Casa Glod offers probably the most traditional accommodation in Romania.
Travel to the origins! Travel to an area that seems literally timeless, where the land is your friend! Where the popular costume is the Sunday outfit.
Taste the purity of crops prepared after century-old recipes!
Feel the comfort and relaxation! Experience the good old stove, the hand filled mattresses, or a majestic sunset view!
How to get there
Prices
Glod house project – traditional accommodation in Romania
Rooms and dining options
What to do in the area
How to get there
To be able to offer the visitor an experience where time stood still, the village of Glod is somehow hidden. Easy to find, though.
If you come from Bucharest, go past Ramnicu Valcea, head to Sibiu and continue on A1. From Brasov, exit at km 334, head to Fagaras and, from Sibiu continue on A1.
Should you start from Timisoara, it is best to rely only partially on the GPS. Exit the A1 highway at km 335, go past Geoagiu, then turn right towards Băcâia, Cheile Cibului (Cibului Gorges) and finally you are in Glod.
If you choose Cluj as your starting point, opt for the highway instead of Zlatna, as the road here is in a poor condition.
Insider tip!: Book ahead, especially for summer and weekends! The hosts are usually booked many weeks in advance!
Prices
Prices are decent. The traditional accommodation includes 3 houses and totals 15 beds.
The double room has prices according to season. In low season, you pay 250 lei/room/night (50 euro).
As it gets warmer, the prices of the rooms also expand. From May on, you pay 285 lei (58 euro), while in high season (July-August), the double room with private bathroom reaches its peak at 320 lei (65 euro). You can add an extra bed for 90 lei/night (18 euro).
The comfort and the view are completed by an outdoor tub (ciubăr). It costs 250 lei for 2 (50 euro). Add 25 lei for every extra person.
Glod house project – traditional accommodation in Romania
The “complex” lodging the traditional accommodation has three houses to be found at the end of a dusty winding road. Here, you’ll find yourself in front of a huge wooden gate. As it gets wide open, your heart will start thumping of so much beauty all of a sudden.
The three houses that form the premises of Glod House are over 100 years old. They are brought to life each by a story. Casa Muzeu (the Museum House) is the oldest, situated on top of the hill. It is like a big sister looking after the younger brothers. They are called Primăria (City Hall) and Școala (School).
Casa Glod is in fact the material lovechild of a Romanian couple who decided to give up on their Milan life and return to their true love: Romanian authenticity. The hosts’ love for traditional objects and passion for the genuine is observable in every detail. They bought a piece of land and moved traditional accommodation items piece by piece and put them together like a giant puzzle. Shortly, they recreated the old classic accommodation of the countryside and seasoned it with rooted lifestyle and habits.
Rooms and dining options
Rooms are basic with no intricate details, but equipped with the necessary modern utilities. Beds are made of logs that shelter mattresses filled with lavender and oat straws. Very comfy, not too soft however. Bathrooms also provide the needed comfort staying faithful to antique objects. I particularly liked the creativity behind some old objects that got new ways.
Although it was hard to disconnect at first, you soon realize that connection with nature is divine. It is the place that makes you watch clouds go by, read a good book on the porch, and …enjoy the silence.
Dolce far niente.
Therefore, accommodation in Glod is TV free. But internet friendly.
Besides the houses, the traditional accommodation in Glod “complex” has a barn that serves as eating place. Here, the hosts offer you the most unbelievable dishes. Prepared according to old customs.
Some.
And others revisited.
Breakfast is 35 lei/person (7 euro), while dinner is 65 (13 euro). For breakfast we tried: zacusca (dip made of eggplant and pepper), zucchini jam, smoked ham, drob (lamb haggis – tradtional Easter dish), meatballs, green onion and radishes from the garden, caș (homemade cheese). And the list can go on.
Dinner is also hearty. And full of calories: kidney beans soup, stewed cabbage with T-bone, polenta with nettle dish. Not to mention doughnuts and visinata/murata (fruit brandies). I know, it is a lot… and a lot delicious.
But walking a few times up and down inside the premises equals climbing many floors. Just sayin’ in case you feel guilty….
What to do in the area
There are a lot of options. Personally, I think that mixing nature, spirituality and culture might be the best exploration around.
You can start with the village and see the church in Glod.
Nature lovers should absolutely know that Glod is situated in the Metaliferi Mountains (Apuseni). Thus, the area is blessed with many natural beauties: Cheile Glodului (Glodului Gorges), Cheile Cibului (Cibului Gorges) or Pestera Feciorilor (Lads’ cave). Roșia Montană is famous and controversial for its gold reserves and exploration. Visit the Roman galleries and take a stroll along one of the lakes!
Craving for city life? Alba Iulia is the main town in the area, situated at 50 km. Landmark of Romania’s union, it has a splendid fortress worth visiting.
There is no countryside without monasteries in Romania. The closest you can find are Cheile Cibului and Negraia-Pătrângeni monasteries.
Or, leave it all behind. Just fill your lungs with fresh air and your mind with healthy thoughts! Go back to the roots!
