Vatra Dornei – The Best of Bucovina
Vatra Dornei is town in Suceava county, in the north-east of Romania. It is situated in the historic region Bucovina, famous for the beautiful monasteries.
Photo source: www.vatra-dornei.ro
The way to reach Vatra Dornei is taking E58 (DN17), if you are coming from Transylvania, and E85 (DN2) if you are coming from the south of the country.
Also, you can arrive by train and admire de two 100 year old train stations. The closest airport is in Suceava, 120 km away.
Vatra Dornei is a very popular touristic destination, thanks to thermal springs, the scenery, climate and skiing facilities. The mountains surrounding the town offer various sporting possibilities: trekking, rock climbing, hiking, skiing and snowboarding, horseback riding.
Photo source: www.vatra-dornei.ro
The natural park in the center of the resort, famous for it’s squirrels :), as well as the casino, remind us of the well-known spa resorts in western Europe.
Photo source: www.vatra-dornei.ro
In town you can visit the Museum of Natural Sciences and Hunting and the Ethnographic Museum.
Vatra Dornei is a resort suitable for tourists of all ages. High rainfall and the landforms ensured the development of a large underground water which come to the surface as mineral water springs.
These natural springs are used in treating various health issues as Cardio-vascular diseases, orthopedic problems (arthritis, rheumatism, recuperation after prosthesis surgery) or respiratory issues.
But the best moment to visit that part of the country is definitely during the winter holidays. You will surely be enchanted by the local traditions, food, people and surroundings.
Food served during New Year’s Party in a local B&B. Smoked fish, with lemon and decorative fir tree branches.
Local traditions: Carol singers, wearing masks.
Local traditions. Photo source: www.vatra-dornei.ro
Local traditions/Folk music singers. Photo source: www.vatra-dornei.ro
Local traditions. Photo source: www.vatra-dornei.ro
Photo source: www.vatra-dornei.ro
Photo source: www.vatra-dornei.ro
This last picture comes with a nice story. We set off to explore the surroundings of the town, so we chose the smallest unpaved road we could find. After about an hour, we arrived at the end of the road, on a mountain slope, in mud, with barely enough space to turn the car around. The funny thing is that we ran into other crazy people, just like us. They offered us mulled wine (vin fiert) and we offered them cigarettes. We are a very hospitable nation 🙂
I am sure you will enjoy this special destination as much as we did!