What to see in Bucovina: 10 places not to miss around the villas

Bucovina is one of those regions where you don't have to choose between nature and culture: there are monasteries painted on the outside, unique in the world, and there are fir forests, mountain passes and peat bogs within an hour's drive. Below are the places we recommend most often to our guests, ordered by distance from the villas.

1. Vatra Dornei: the spa park and the chairlift

Minutes from us, Vatra Dornei is the starting point for almost everything. The spa park in the centre, with its mineral springs and restored casino, is worth a slow afternoon walk. In summer the chairlift climbs Dealul Negru for the view; in winter the same slope becomes a ski run.

Tip: early in the morning the park is almost empty. The best time for photos.

2. Veverița ski slope

For skiing, Vatra Dornei has two main slopes: Parc and Veverița. Veverița is the long one, almost 3 km, with snow-making and night skiing. For children and beginners, the Parc slope is friendlier. From the villa you're on the slope in 10 minutes.

3. Tinovul Mare, Poiana Stampei

The largest peat bog reserve in Romania, with a wooden boardwalk of about 1 km winding between dwarf pines and sphagnum moss. It's an easy walk, suitable for small children too, and a landscape you won't find anywhere else in Bucovina. The entrance is ~18 km from the villas.

4. Tihuța Pass

The road to Bistrița climbs through the Tihuța Pass (1,200 m), with hairpin bends, forests and views towards the Călimani mountains. It's a beautiful drive, especially in autumn, and there are a few places at the top to stop for a coffee.

5. Câmpulung Moldovenesc and the Wood Museum

Forty minutes east, Câmpulung Moldovenesc is a quiet mountain town with the "Art of Wood" Museum, a surprisingly rich collection of tools, gates and wooden objects from Bucovina. The roads to Rarău also start here.

6. Rarău, Pietrele Doamnei

The road climbs from Câmpulung almost to the summit, and from the chalet the trail to Pietrele Doamnei takes about 30–40 minutes. The limestone rocks rise out of the spruce forest like towers. It is one of the most photographed spots in Bucovina and, in clear weather, you can see far across the Obcine hills.

7. Moldovița Monastery

The first of the painted monasteries on our way north. The exterior frescoes, with the famous "Siege of Constantinople", are remarkably well preserved. The courtyard is beautifully kept and a visit takes around an hour. It combines well with Sucevița on a day trip over the Ciumârna Pass.

8. Voroneț Monastery

The "Sistine Chapel of the East", with its Voroneț blue and the "Last Judgement" on the west wall. It's the most visited monastery in Bucovina. Go in the morning, before 10, to have it almost to yourself. From Voroneț, Humor Monastery is 15 minutes away.

9. Sucevița Monastery

The most fortified of the monasteries, with thick walls and corner towers, and the "Ladder of Virtues" painted on the north wall. The road here crosses the Obcine hills of Bucovina. Allow time for stops.

10. Putna Monastery

Founded by Stephen the Great and his burial place. It's the farthest from the villas (about two hours), but for many guests the most moving. The monastery museum keeps embroideries and manuscripts 500 years old.

How to combine them

• A monastery day: Moldovița → Sucevița → Putna (or Voroneț + Humor for the short version). Leave early and have lunch in Sucevița or Gura Humorului.
• A nature day: Tinovul Mare in the morning, Tihuța Pass in the afternoon, barbecue in the courtyard in the evening.
• A winter day: slopes in the morning, the spa park after lunch, and the heated gazebo in the evening.

If you'd like, we'll prepare a day-by-day plan depending on the season and the children's ages. Write to us before arrival, and at check-in we'll hand you a printed map too.