Dornelor Country – the perfect holiday destination

Bucovina, in northern Romania, is the perfect destination for lovers of traditional villages, as well as those seeking an active holiday. Maricica Cazimirciuc, the manager of the Dornelor Country ecotourist destination says no other part of Romania offers such a variety and wealth of events as Bukovina:

"In the final days of the year, there is no corner of Bukovina where you can't see these customs. The little plough and the dance of the masked men, the dance of the goat, bear, horse and stag, all of them symbolise the most important moments in the life of a person; birth, marriage and death. They also poke fun at foolishness, laziness, meanness and stinginess while praising hard-work. It's common knowledge that Bukovina has a lot to offer in terms of tourism and is one of the most popular destinations for visitors. This year more than ever, travel agencies have been very busy, coming up with all sorts of travel packages including, apart from accommodation and New Year's dinner, horseback rides or sleigh rides, guided walks, access to indoor swimming pools, barbecues around a campfire, trips to tourist sites, monasteries and museums, traditional music shows on New Year's Eve, traditional crafts workshops, activities and games for children, presents for the guests and the customary firework display to mark the coming of the new year."

Dornelor Country is an ecotourist destination known as "the green heart" of Bukovina, and where, in addition to all these activities, winter sports can also be practised:

"Alpine skiing and snowboarding on five different slopes, cross-country skiing in the Căliman mountain, ice-skating on the artificial ice rink in Vatra Dornei, sledging, tubing, trekking on themed routes, accompanied by mountain guides, and ice climbing. All of these come together with dream-like mountain landscapes and fresh air. It's a holiday atmosphere that reminds us of what it used to be like when we were children. These are unforgettable experiences and we have to also mention some of the events taking place these days and then later in January and February in these parts: a customs festival in Vatra Dornei with an increasing number of participants from the region, as well as guests from abroad. The World Sledding Championships on natural track, the only recognised competition of its kind in the whole of eastern Europe, will be held in Vatra Dornei at the beginning of February, while Winter Fest, an event we're all looking forward to, will be held between 24th and 26th February, also in Vatra Dornei."

Ecotourism is a sum of tourist experiences based on the relationship between tourists and nature and local customs and traditions, says Maricica Cazimirciuc, the manager of the Dornelor Country ecotourist destination. It's also about quality tourism that shows respect for our heritage. In this sense, Bukovina is again this year one of the most popular destinations to spend the New Year's holiday:

"The fact that this year again, accommodation facilities are almost full demonstrates that Bukovina is a favourite destination for both Romanian and foreign tourists. The general impression is that if you want an authentic experience of the winter holidays then you must go to Bukovina at least once in your lifetime. In my experience, if you come here once, you'll want to come back. If you do, I recommend staying in a local guesthouse, which will truly make you feel at home."

The Vatra Dornei mountain resort is also known as the Gem of Bukovina. Located at an altitude of 800 metres, it is popular among mountain sports lovers and those seeking a peaceful and relaxed holiday. Sports like mountain biking, extreme biking, paragliding and skiing are available here. The resort is located 123 km from the Suceava International Airport and is very popular at this time of the year. A stay in a 4-daisy guesthouse located 10 km away from the ski tracks costs 480 euros per person in a double room for the period between 30th December and 2nd January. The guesthouse also has a spa facility with sauna and indoor swimming pool. Dornelor Country is a destination suitable for all seasons, with the Calimani National Park a must if you come here next year, says Maricica Cazimirciuc. The park has a modern visiting centre where various exhibitions are staged about the local attractions.