Cluj

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Destination Transylvania turfed up this student city of 'Cluj'. With 360,000 thousand inhabitants, its is Romanias second largest city and more suprisingly is that 1 in every 3rd resident is a student and they can not be missed. Cluj is a working metropolis and has the tale tale classic signs of a bustling Eastern European city as miles of trolley bus cables are strewn across the streets and tram lines are cris crossing the main throughfairs and busy roads.

Not an strikingly attractive city at first glance, you'll have to dig just below the surface to notice it has charms in a different prospective. Grand buildings are dotted here and there that draw your attention momentarily away from the hoards of traffic and noisy road works of Cluj.

"The place had a great buzz about it"

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My trip here was short but sweet and the two days in Cluj were not what I was expecting. The weather granted, was not the best but it remained warm (although slightly humid) and precipitation free. The people were extremely friendly and the food was exceptional and pleasantly affordable. But best of all public transport appears to be free!

Well, maybe not...

The flight into Cluj from London Luton via 'Wizz Air' was thankfully uneventful and passed swiftly. The airport was very small and unorganised but with a Romanian stamp now neatly printed within the pages of my passport, I cared little for its appearance. Bus number 8 (the book informed us) would be our carriage to the city centre and after a few minutes idly looking at each other for the whereabouts of the bus stop we located the shelter and jumped on a bus that arrived promptly. We asked the driver the price but he smiled at us and pointed for us to sit down which we did under many inquisitive eyes.

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Arriving at dusk is always more interesting than arrived in full light. Even though you have never seen any of the sights before in day or night, its the night that throws up the most interesting scenarios and loss of bearings. No problems this time however and our hostel was found and the 4 of us toasted a small victory with small quiet cheers.

Our abode for the two days in Cluj was the 'Retro Hostel' located 5 minutes from the 'Student Ghetto' and the hostel wasn't too bad albeit the showering and toilet facilities are a little on the cramped side. The sleeping quarters however were very good and the bunkbeds gave the hostels name some meaning. The staff were very helpful and friendly with coffees made for us on our arrival, hospitality at its best!

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The beers in Romania were crisp and tasty and that very night I can safely say we nearly drank our bodies weight in 'Ciuc beer'. The time spent in Cluj was spread over going around the sights in and around the centre and a stop off was made in the student ghetto. The place had a great buzz about it and was if campus life had an injection of Ibiza vibe. Pounding music was pouring over the many bars along a small dusty road and people littered all of them. But unlike Ibiza, this place was devoid of topless Brits tanning themselves religiously whilst blasting out renditions of 'Oasis, 'Wonderwall' and 'Glory, Glory Man United'!

The following morning we headed for the train station located 20 minutes from the hostel and to the north of the centre. A ticket to our next destination was purchased problem free and before long we found ourselves ambling southeastwards on a rickety old train which was either trapped inside communist Russia or bound for Hogwarts...both would of fit nicely!