BUCHAREST ACADEMY OF ECONOMIC STUDIES

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN TOURISM

Vatra Dornei



Students:
one Roxana-Elena
UngureanuAdelinaMihaela
Vlaicu Ana Maria



Bucharest 2013
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SUMMARY


I. Location .........................................................................................................................1
II. Transportation to and from the place .............................................................................2
III. Climate ...........................................................................................................................3
IV. Accommodation .............................................................................................................4
V. Local attractions .............................................................................................................5
VI. Local food ......................................................................................................................6
VII. Transport within the place .............................................................................................6
VIII. The price and value for money ......................................................................................6
IX. Key selling points ..........................................................................................................6
X. Adventure in Vatra Dornei 7 days theme tour ...............................................................6















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Location:
Vatra Dornei is a city in Suceava County, north-eastern Romania. It is situated in the
historical region of Bukovina. Vatra Dornei is the fifth largest urban settlement in the county,
with a population of 13,659 inhabitants, according to the 2011 census. It was declared a
municipality in 2000, being the newest and smallest municipality in the county. The city
administers three villages: Argestru, Rou and Todireni. Vatra Dornei is a well known spa and
ski resort in the Carpathian Mountains.
The city of Cmpulung Moldovenesc is 40 km away, the city of Bistria 85 km away, the
town of Gura Humorului 74 km away and the town of Broteni 52 km away.
Vatra Dornei is at the confluence of Bistria River and Dorna River, in Dorna Depression.
Because of its mountain surroundings, the city is a spa and ski resort, one of the oldest resorts in
Romania. Vatra Dornei is connected to the Romanian national railway system and has two train
stations, Vatra Dornei and Vatra Dornei Bi, both historical monuments. The European route
E58, that links the region of Moldavia with Transylvania, crosses the city.

Transportation to and from the place:
The best way to get to Vatra Dornei is to take a train from Gara de Nord Bucuresti -
recommended to take 1st Class - Sleeping Car (Vagon Lit) It is very comfortable for a couple - If
you are a family try to ask for 2 joint cabins that have a door between them. To buy tickets for
the train you have to go to the agency in Bucharest from gara de Nord. The train departs from
Bucharest at 21.55 and arrives at Vatra Dornei in the morning at 10.57. Its a direct train from
Bucharest to Vatra Dornei.
By car we can go:
-Bucuresti -Vatra Dornei: DN2 - E85 (Bucharest, Urziceni -Buzau - Focsani - Adjud -
Bacau - Roman - Cornu Luncii (DN17) - Gura Humorului, C-lung Moldovenesc -Vatra
Dornei), cca.8h
- Cluj - Vatra Dornei: Cluj Napoca - Dej - Beclean - Salva - Nasaud - Sangeorz Bai - Vatra
Dornei cca. 4h.
By plane its a direct flight from Bucharest Airport to Suceava Airport and then we have
to make a transfer by car or train to go to Vatra Dornei.

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Climate:
The climate is temperate continental, with a mean annual temperature of 5.2 C. In July
average is 15 C, and in January is -6 C. Extreme temperatures recorded at Vatra Dornei are:
36.4 C (on July 18, 1904) and -36.5 C (13 January 1950).
Rainfall is abundant and reached approximately 800 mm. The number of the days with
snow in one year reach about 120 days / year. The long rainy in Vatra Dornei was recorded in
August 1908 (14 days). Average atmospheric pressure is 690 mm in January and 694 mm in
September.
Accommodation:
In Vatra Dornei we can find the most beautiful and comfortable accommodation:
- 2-4* hotels (Hotel Alpin, Belvedere, Carol, Calimani, Maestro);
- 1-3* villas (villa Class, Julia, Caprioara);
- 2* family houses (guest house Manole, Baciu, Corina);
- 2-4* guest house ( Vanatorul, Dornelor, Floarea de Colt);
- To a series of cottages 2* (cottage Autoturist, Schiorilor).
Accommodation prices vary depending on the number of stars and their geographical
position in Vatra Dornei.
Local attraction:
SUHARD with a relatively gentle ridge rarely traversed by hikers maintains intense
pastoral activity in summer and offers spectacular views towards all its neighbouring mountain
ranges: Brgu, Rodna Giumalu Raru, Pietrosul Bistriei and Climani.
Location: North and North West of Depresiunea Dornelor
Attractions:
Main ridge about 35 km; the succession of peaks SE-NW: vf. Runca (1149 m), vf.
Ouorul (1639 m), vf. Froane (1715 m), vf. Omu (1932 m highest peak), Rotunda
pass
Icoana Lake (Obcina Diecilor, blue stripe trail)
Schitul Sfnta Cruce / Hermitage Saint Cross (at the water source of Recele stream,
between Vf. Froane and Btca Trului peaks)
Routes:

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The main route on the ridge links Rotunda Pass to Vatra Dornei (length 47 km)
Carpathians main route (red stripe) provides the link to Climani Mts through Brgului
Mts
Several transversal routes lead to the ridge from the localities in the valley
Most routes are of medium or low difficulty
Departure points: Vatra Dornei, Dorna Candrenilor, Podu Conei, Iacobeni, Ciocneti,
Crlibaba, Pasul Rotunda
Access: motorized access is possible (from Valea Bancului beneath Vf, Faraoane) and
other forestry roads reaching close to the ridge (Ciotina)
Specific activities: hiking (overnight in tent or at the hermitage), ski touring, paragliding,
mountain-biking
Remarks: there are a large number of trails towards the main ridge yet many of them are not
marked
GIUMALU, with the massiveness of the main ridge covered by sub alpine meadows,
dominates Bistria valley and the north eastern side of the depression. Giumalul has an
extensive network of tourist trails, at the same time being the most accessible mountain range in
the area. Furthermore the Giumalu mountain lodge offers the possibility of overnight
accommodation in this sub alpine region
Location: North and North-East of Depresiunea Dornelor
Attractions:
vf. Giumalu (1856 m highest peak),
Codrii Seculari Giumalu Reserve (SCI)
Giumalu Lodge (1641 m)
Gigi Ursu Lodge and Hermitage
Mestecni and Poiana Fierului Hermitages
Accommodation: Giumalu Lodge (30 beds)
Departure points: Vatra Dornei, Rusca, Cheile Zugrenilor
Access: access by car or motorised access, via Rusca
Specific activities: hiking (overnight accommodation in tents or at the lodge), ski touring,
mountain-biking, escalade
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PIETROSUL BISTRIEI, a mysterious mountain explored by only a few hikers, descends
steeply from its ridge into the Zugreni Gorge and offers a hiking experience in a wilderness
almost untouched by human hands.
Location: East of Depresiunea Dornelor
Attractions:
Main ridge: Cheile/Gorges Zugrenilor - vf. Bogolin (1748 m) - vf. Pietrosu Bistriei
(1791 m highest peak)
Cheile/Gorges Zugrenilor
Piatra Tieturii Hermitage
Routes:
the main ridge route makes the link the gorges Cheile Zugrenilor with Pltini Pass
transversal trails link the localities in Bistria valley (the W and E mountain sides)
high difficulty of the trail Cheile Zugrenilor Vf. Pietrosul
Departure points: Cozneti, Ortoaia, Rusca, Cheile Zugrenilor, Barnar, Crucea, Panaci,
Pltini
Access: car access to Piatra Tieturii Hermitage via Panaci, Dorna Arini and Barnar
Specific activities: hiking (short and difficult route, with overnight accommodation in tents
or at the hermitage), nature observation
CLIMANI MOUNTAINS are featured by the presence of a huge geological structure. The vast
horseshoe-shaped crater of the volcanic mountains of Calimani, has a diameter of approximately
10 km, being one of the largest in Europe. Its imposing ridge consists of several lofty peaks of
over 2000 m. They are characterized by steep slopes in the north and large plateaus in the south,
by huge areas forested areas and by sub alpine and alpine landscape.
Location: South of Depresiunea Dornelor
Attractions:
the main ridge of the volcanic caldera and the main peaks: vf. Lucaciu (1770 m) vf. 12
Apostoli (1760 m) - vf. Pietrele Roii (1705 m) vf. Tihu (1852 m) - vf. Pietrosul (2100
m highest peak) vf. Negoiul Unguresc (2081 m) vf. Climani Izvor (2032 m) - vf.
Climaniul Cerbului (2013 m)
12 Apostles reserve
Scientific reserve Molidi with Pinus cembra
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Lacul Iezer nature reserve (upper part of caldeira)
12 Apostles Thematic Trail
Hermitage Apa Rece (near vf. Lucaciu)
Accommodation:
Weather Station lodge or Reiti lodge;
Clearly marked camping areas within the Climani National Park
Departure points: Gura Haitii, Poiana Negri, aru Dornei, Vatra Dornei, Poiana Stampei,
Dornioara
Acces: car access via Gura Haitii and Poiana Negri close to the main ridge (access restricted)
or from Dornioara
Specific activities: equestrian tourism, hikes (no possibility for oernight accommodation in
shelters or ridge lodges; unofficial possibility for accommodation in the meteo lodge Reiti),
camping areas, ski touring.

Protected areas and Natura 2000 sites
Lots of the existing natural areas present a high potential for tourism and educational
development. Some already have the infrastructure needed for visiting, tourism interpretation
and information. The future development of ara Dornelor must take into account the need for
the protection and conservation of such areas, of their ecological and cultural value which
contributes to the uniqueness and identity of the territory and find ways for their tourism and
educational development which simultaneously allow for their preservation in a long-term
optimal status.
Cheile Zugrenilor Nature Reserve (314 ha - category IV IUCN), gorges formed by
Bistria river on a length of 2.5 km when breaking through the hard rocks at the limit of the
massifs Giumalu and Pietrosul Bistriei. The reserve, crossed by the main road 17 B (Vatra
Dornei-Piatra Neam), is located 20 km downstream from Vatra Dornei and cares for plant
species of community interest (i.e. edelweiss - Leontopodium alpinum, located at the lowest
altitude in Moldova). peaks and in wintertime visitors can come for ice escalade. It is included in
the site of community interest SCI Pietrosul Brotenilor-Cheile Zugrenilor. At present it is under
the custody of DS Suceava.
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Tinovul Mare Poiana Stampei Scientific Reserve (681.8 ha category I IUCN), was
first declared a nature monument in 1955. It cares for acid marshland, sterile environments with
layers of peat and poor vegetation specific to these conditions, with stands of pine, spruce and
dwarf birch, thick layers of moss, and shrubs of bilberry and cranberry that form a landscape
more typical of the Siberian tundra. Tinovul Mare is considered to be the largest natural reserve
of peat in Romania. Access from the forestry road Poiana Stampei-Dornioara, on a wooden
bridge, 990 m long. At present the reserve is under the custody of the Climani National Park
Administration (APNC).
Tinovul aru Dornei Nature Reserve (36 ha- category IV IUCN), under APNC custody is
a raised bog showing particularities similar to those of Tinovul Mare. It is located between the
communes aru Dornei and Panaci, close to the main road. At present it is not developed for
tourist access.
Codrul Secular Giumalu Nature Reserve (309.5 ha- category IV IUCN), was designated
in the year 1941 and cares for old growth spruce stands ranging at altitudes between 1230 m and
1680 m, located at the limit of the subalpine zone on the northern side of the massif, marked by
the peaks: apele (1427 m), Ciungi (1521 m), Stegele (1630 m), Alunul (1667 m) and Giumalu
(185 m). The reserve is currently under the custody of DS Suceava. This reserve is included in
the European network of protected areas Natura 2000, and is part of Raru-Giumalu SCI and
SPA.
Laid out over the upper part of the volcanic mountain range, the Climani National Park
protects valuable habitats and ecosystems on its territory: forests of Spruce with Swiss Pine;
thickets of Mountain Pine with Rhododendron; meadows of Gentians, Violets, Common
Tormentil, Bluebells, etc. The Swiss Pine (Pinus cembra), is a relic of earlier glaciations and can
still be found in Romania, only in a few isolated areas of the Oriental and Southern Carpathians.
The extraordinary group of rocks that makes up the 12 Apostles Reserve provokes the traveller's
imagination with strange rock forms as in a fairy-tale world, bearing picturesque names like
"Moul" ("The Old Man"), "Marealul" ("The Marshall"), "Mucenicul" ("The Martyr") and
"Guterul" ("The Lizard"). These geological formations, likened to megalithic structures, are the
result of different forms of erosion on the volcanic conglomerates.