Jacuzzi- It has an extra fee of €20 per night!! Casa Maria is a charming and elegant hideout that satisfy a yearning for simplicity, clarity, and a retreat in pure nature. It not only has the power to get people in touch with their surroundings, but also with themselves and their beloved ones. It offers modern men and women a promise of what urban centers usually cannot provide: quiet, relaxation, being out of reach, getting back to basics, feeling human again. The space Casa Maria is, together with the timber home of Lili & Ivo, located on the edge of the National Park Apuseni, Transylvania, on an estate of 20.000 m². The cottage was built by local craftsmen with love and devotion during 2015-2016. In the tastefully decorated, spacious living room you can find French windows leading to a porch facing the south as well as an old-fashioned, handmade terracotta stove that can turn Casa Maria in a very comfortable warm temperature during cold days and dining table. Various pieces of furniture made with heart and soul by the ancestors of the landlady adorn the room. A new sofa bed (2.04 x 1.40m) completes the living room. Through a flexible, solid wooden staircase there is access to a spacious loft (a mezzanine) with a large Swiss-Flex bed (2.10 x 1.80m). When there are clear skies you will have a beautiful view here towards the starry sky. Every window on the ground floor is like a living painting with views of green. Following on from the living room you can find a cosy kitchen, created by the sister of the landlady, equipped with all essential comforts. A true haven of peace, healthy air and pure nature and therefore ideal for an individual retreat, a week to write or create, or emptying the mind. Casa Maria is located in a sparsely populated wooded area about 900 meters (2700 ft.) altitude. Walking here without seeing anyone is the rule rather than the exception. But you do have a chance of passing stray cows and horses. From the cottage, there are numerous walks. Five kilometres away is the hamlet of Belis, where you can go for grocery shopping in two simple shops. Every Sunday morning there is a market with a wide range of fresh food and drinks by local farmers. At Belis is also a large reservoir, where with good weather it is a nice place to swim or rent a boat. The larger town Huedin, with as many as three supermarkets, is about 25 kilometer away. Here every Tuesday is a market where people come from across the region. Huedin is known for the Gypsy palaces with shiny roofs. It does remind you of India. The palaces have turrets, monumental staircases, Oriental roofs, pagodas, ostensive balcony pillars, concrete columns and elaborately carved gutters and downpipes. None of the homes is finished, but maybe that's the intention. Cluj-Napoca, the best city in Europe you've never heard of, is the heart of Transylvania and is about 75 kilometer away. A vibrant student city with plenty of things to do. A short drive by car, there are numerous natural areas to visit, each different in nature. Within one to one and a half hours drive you can find the Apuseni national park, where you can go walking and horse riding. The park is known for its large number of caves, of which the most famous is the bear cave (Peștera Urșilor). Guest access You will have access to the common ground of 20.000m2. Lili & Ivo live in the family house, hidden behind the trees, but on short walking distance. Walking, cycling and other outdoor activities from the site are an excellent option. A trampoline is also available and a wide range of books on living a conscious life. Other things to note 3 friendly dogs live on site, Bobby, Bobby & Pufa (the small one). They love guests and are happy to welcome you. They also appreciate you to spoil them with some tasty dog food. They protect you and Casa Maria. They normally sleep inside during the night. If you're sensitive to the barking, Casa Maria may not be the best choice for you. Looking at the reviews, most people seems to really enjoy the presence of the dogs and our cat Mitchy.