Casa Carolina Cupseni, Maramures Rediscover Nature

Reconnect with nature and the slower pace of NW Transylvania in the village of Cupseni. Our 3 bedroom holiday villa is the perfect base to relax, hike or cycle, enjoy breathtaking views of Satra, Gutai and Hudin mountains or discover Unesco-listed wooden churches of Maramures. The space A wonderful holiday home perfect for a family of 8-11 or group of friends who wish to be close to nature but don't want to camp. Cupseni Village is the ideal location to: Visit Unesco Rogoz Wooden Church (1663) Visit Unesco Surdesti & Plopis Wooden Churches (30 min drive) Enjoy self guided walk around Cupseni Village and picnic by the river at Casa Carolina Picnic Site (see last listing photo) Hike to Satra Mountain ( use online digital maps or follow ridge path) Cycle to Satra Monastery for beautiful views of Costeni & Cupseni Villages - blue cycle route from Cupseni Visit Rohia & Rohita Monasteries - 24 km - 40 min drive & stop for delicious lunch at BonJour Bistro in Targu Lapus Visit Lapus Monastery (also known as Ruoaia) - 40 min drive and admire the beautiful paintings inside the church Visit Florean outdoor Sculpture Park Go skiing in Cavnic - 52 km - 1h 15 min drive Day trips further afield Enjoy lunch on Mocanita Train from Viseu de Sus Discover Maramures architecture at unique Barsana Monastery - 79km - 1.40 min drive Take a bath in Ocna Sugatag therapeutic saltwater spa or let the children play in the water park accross the road - 68 km - 1 h 30 min Visit Valea Izei with its many picture-perfect views of old wooden churches Visit the Merry Cemetery of Sapanta - 135 km - 2.5h via Sighet City Visit Sighet City & its Victims of Communism Memorial Museum to learn about Romania's 45 years under communism FOOD & DRINKS If you wish to self cater there is a 45€ surcharge. Order local foods such as 'mamaliga cu branza' - layered polenta with cheese & bacon 'ptita de malai cu slanina' - corn bread with or without crispy pork fat 'mazare cu otat' - sour bean soup 'balmos' - cheesy polenta with cream 'horinca de prune, mere sau pere' - plum, apple or pear brandy Sarmale - rice & pork in cabbage leaves Order these delicious local dishes from our cook Viorica who will be delighted to cook them for you. Have a BBQ - BBQ provided by request Cook marshmallows or slivers of pork fat on the Casa Carolina camp fire Learn to make bread with Viorica and bake it in our wood fired bread oven (price/ person) The nearest restaurant is a 15 min drive in the neighbouring village, Ungureni. Eat delicious wood fired oven pizza at Podina Restaurant & Bar in Ungureni Village. There are lots of restaurants in Targu Lapus, 20 min drive. We recommend BonJour Bistro, no 1 Liviu Rebreanu St. If you are exploring, we recommend a lunch of freshly-caught trout & polenta at Pastravaria Alex before Mara Village SEASONAL ACTIVITIES Hiking & walking in nature is the most enjoyable activity in this natural setting - self - guided hike map Build an evening Campfire - use wood provided - cook marshmallows (from Lidl in Targu Lapus) or ask Viorica for slivers of pork fat Walking & cycling around the village and all around Tara Lapusului is very enjoyable. Currently we can supply 3 child bikes free of charge. Ask Viorica to take bikes out the barn Take a day trip to a local shepherd's enclosure, with fresh sheep-cheese lunch provided - ask for details (price/ trip) Learn to decorate Easter eggs with village women in the week before the Orthodox Easter - ask for details Future Easter dates to help you plan ahead: 2020 - 19 april 2021 - 2 may 2022 - 24 april 2023 - 16 april 2024 - 5 may 2025 - 20 april Scything and hay stack making with a local farmer --- July - September - free - ask for details Enjoy a trip on a horse-drawn sledge --- November - February depending on weather - price/trip Guided tour of local UNESCO protected Virgin forests with English speaking guide price/trip Join an organised mountain hike with renowned photographer & trained mountaineer Gabriel Motica who has climbed mount Everest - check Face book for MaramontSport for latest event details; private tours available - pls ask for details Guest access Guests have access to their rooms, the living room, the kitchen dining room and the wonderful wooden terrace. Guests are invited to explore the orchard garden and pick their own fruit when in season. We have apples, pears, plums, cherries and blueberries. As the house is located on top of the hill separating the village of Cupseni from the valley village of Costeni and the garden extends over the village road, guests can enjoy a breathtaking view of Satra mountain and Costeni village. Picnic table & campfire is provided here. Explore this extended garden with its birches and mini forest overlooking the village of Costeni. In summer, take your lunch in the extended garden with a view of Costeni Village and in the evenings light a campfire under the stars; help yourself to wood stacked against the barn & ask Viorica for the wheelbarrow (roaba) from the barn to transport it. Other things to note We run Casa Carolina on strong ecological principles and we love the DRY TOILETS in this part of the world. We encourage all our guests to experience the dry toilet, the most ecological toilet in the world. Casa Carolina's DRY TOILET is located at the end of the barn.