Moldova Discovery
Moldova Small Group Tour
Tour Overview
Most people are unaware that Moldova exists and are unable to locate it on a map. Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, this tiny country is home to one autonomous region Gagauzia, and one ‘breakaway republic’ Transnistria, making it one of the quirkiest in Europe. With influences ranging from the Ottoman Empire to Romania to Russia, Moldova is a fascinating melange of cultures.
On this short trip we explore cave monasteries and vast underground wine cellars – with of course opportunities to sample the excellent local wines. ‘Off the beaten track’ doesn’t even come close to describing this trip.
Tour Highlights
• Contrast the vast wine cellars of Cricova with the small family run Et Cetera winery
• Enjoy the relaxed capital of Chisinau
• Discover the autonomous region of Gagauzia
• Travel to Pucari and visit Chateau Pucari, the oldest and most famous winery in Moldova
Tour Rating
To help our travellers choose the right tour for them we have applied a grading system of 1 to 5. Tours with a fitness level of 1 will generally be suitable for all ages and will not be particularly strenuous, whereas tours with a fitness level of 5 are likely to be physically challenging. To find out more please contact our well-travelled team who will often have first-hand experience of the destination.
Fitness
3/5
Unexplored
5/5
Culture
4/5
History
4/5
Wildlife
0/5
Tour Pace
3/5
Map + Tour Itinerary
Please note that until further notice it is not possible to visit Transnistria. This is due to the UK Government and others advising against all travel to the area. Accordingly, our itinerary has been amended to the programme shown below which avoids travel to or through Transnistria.
Day 1: Arrival in Chisinau
Arrive in Chisinau where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival you may have the opportunity to explore the city. Overnight at City Park Hotel or similar. No meals are included today.
Chisinau
Chisinau was founded back in the 15th century, as a small monastery village within the province of Moldavia. Falling first to the Ottoman and then the Russian Empire, the city grew over the years and played a major part in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877. Sadly it was bombed extensively during the Second World War and most of the older buildings were destroyed – the city today has been rebuilt on a typical Soviet grid system of streets. It contains one of the highest proportions of green spaces within any major European city, with many parks and lakes within its boundaries.
Day 2: Chisinau walking tour - Gagauzia- Chisinau (Driving time today is approx. 4 hours – 236km)
After breakfast we embark on a walking tour of the capital, visiting key sites including the Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral, and the Moldovan Parliament. Continue with a visit to the National Museum of Ethnography, with its collection of archaeological treasures and old Bessarabian carpets. From here we drive to Comrat, the capital of the region. We will take a tour of the town before having lunch in a local restaurant with typical Gagauzian dishes. After lunch continue to Besalma village, in the autonomous region of Gagauzia, to visit the Gagauzian Museum of History and Ethnology. It contains hundreds of exhibits of artistic and spiritual value assembled over the last two centuries. We then return to Chisinau. Overnight at City Park Hotel or similar. (BL)
Day 3: Chisinau - Cricova - Orheiul Vechi – Curchi Monastery - Butuceni
After breakfast we drive to the vast underground tunnels that house the wine cellars of Cricova, and take a tour by train, with time to enjoy a tasting of some of the wines. There will be the opportunity to buy some souvenir bottles in the on-site shop. We will continue to Orheiul Vechi, an impressive 13th Century cave monastery complex set amidst dramatic scenery, and from there to Butuceni where we stay overnight in agro-pension (BL)
Orheiul Vechi
The Orheiul Vechi Monastery complex is carved into a limestone cliff, and dates back to the 13th century, although it has only recently come back into use after being abandoned in the 18th century. It contains a chapel and a sleeping area for monks, and the cliffside is dotted with small caves and places of worship, dug over thousands of years by ancient Dacian tribes. There are wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.
Day 4: Clisova Noua - Soroca
After breakfast we travel to Clisova Noua village and visit the Art Rustica craft centre, where you will see old and new samples of national objects which reflect the traditional Moldovan customs and culture. Continue to Soroca and after lunch explore the city. Visits include ‘The Candle of Gratitude’ and the ‘Gypsy Hill’, a district of the Moldovan Roma people with its spectacular mansions. Also visit the Soroca medieval fortress from the outside, which played an important role in the defence against the Turks. We then head back to Chisinau. Overnight City Park Hotel or similar (BL)
Day 5: Martha and Maria Monastery – Chateau Pucari Winery
This morning we begin with a visit to the Martha and Maria Monastery, dating back to the beginning of the 20th Century, built in a fine architectural style. We then travel to Pucari and visit Chateau Pucari, the oldest and most famous winery in Moldova, where we will be given a tour and sample some wines, as well as having lunch. Return to Chisinau where the afternoon is at leisure. In the evening meet for a farewell dinner at “La Taifas”, a popular Moldovan Restaurant with local music. Overnight at City park Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 6: Departure from Chisinau
The tour ends today after breakfast when airport transfers leave to meet onward flights. (B)
Tour Inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Feedback from our Travellers
Foreign Office Travel Warnings
Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no travel advisories in place for anywhere we visit on the tour.
It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.
Visa Information
At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals do not require a visa for a tourist visit to Moldova. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.
British Nationals - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
US Nationals - travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Australian Nationals - www.smartraveller.gov.au
Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.
Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.
As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.
Passports
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.
We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.
For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Vaccinations & Protection
As with travel to most parts of Eastern Europe, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, you maybe advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.
Local Conditions
When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.
The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.
Essential Info
