Moldova Discovery

Duration
6 days
Group Size
12 people
Price
From £1095
Region
Europe
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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 Moldova 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.

Highlights

Included/Excluded

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
International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Tour Ratings

Fitness: 3/5
Unexplored: 5/5
Culture: 4/5
History: 4/5
Wildlife: 0/5
Tour-pace: 3/5
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Map and Tour Itinerary

This tour offers an immersive experience in Moldova, starting in Chisinau with a walking tour of key sites like the Arc de Triomphe and the Moldovan Parliament. You’ll explore Gagauzia, a region with a rich cultural heritage, visiting Comrat and the Gagauzian Museum. The journey continues to Cricova’s famous wine cellars for a wine tasting, followed by a visit to the Orheiul Vechi cave monastery complex. Other highlights include the Martha and Maria Monastery, Chateau Pucari winery, and a visit to Clisova Noua’s Art Rustica craft center. You’ll also explore Soroca, with stops at the ‘Candle of Gratitude,’ Gypsy Hill, and the Soroca Fortress. The tour concludes with a farewell dinner and airport transfer.

Itinerary Highlights
Chisinau Walking Tour

Explore the capital city, including landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe, the Moldovan Parliament, and the National Museum of Ethnography.

Cricova Wine Cellars

Take a guided tour through the vast underground wine tunnels of Cricova and enjoy a wine tasting

Orheiul Vechi Cave Monastery

Visit the 13th-century cave monastery, carved into a limestone cliff, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Chateau Pucari Winery

Discover Moldova's oldest and most famous winery, with a tour and wine tasting.

Soroca Exploration

Visit the ‘Candle of Gratitude,’ the ‘Gypsy Hill’ district, and the medieval Soroca Fortress.

Day 1 – Arrival in Chisinau

Arrive in Chisinau where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity to explore the city at leisure.

🛏️ Overnight: Bristol Hotel, Chisinau or similar
🍽️ Meals: None

Day 2 – Chisinau Walking Tour – Gagauzia – Chisinau

Driving time today is approx. 4 hours – 236kmAfter breakfast, embark on a walking tour of the capital, visiting key landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, the Cathedral and the Moldovan Parliament. Continue to the National Museum of Ethnography, home to archaeological treasures and old Bessarabian carpets. Drive to Comrat, capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia, for a short city tour followed by lunch in a local restaurant serving traditional Gagauzian dishes. After lunch, continue to Besalma village to visit the Gagauzian Museum of History and Ethnology, housing hundreds of cultural and spiritual artefacts collected over the last two centuries. Return to Chisinau in the late afternoon.

🛏️ Overnight: Bristol Hotel, Chisinau or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – Clisova Noua – Soroca – Butuceni

 After breakfast, travel to Clisova Noua village to visit the Art Rustica craft centre, where old and new national objects reflect traditional Moldovan customs and craftsmanship. Continue to Soroca and enjoy lunch before exploring the town. Highlights include The Candle of Gratitude, Gypsy Hill with its ornate mansions of the Moldovan Roma community, and the exterior of the Soroca medieval fortress, an important former stronghold against Ottoman incursions.

🛏️ Overnight: Agro-pension, Butuceni or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 – Orheiul Vechi – Curchi Monastery – Cricova – Chisinau

After breakfast, visit Orheiul Vechi, an impressive 13th-century cave monastery carved deep into limestone cliffs. Continue to Curchi Monastery. Later, explore the vast underground wine cellars of Cricova and take a guided train tour, including a tasting of selected wines and time to purchase souvenirs

🛏️ Overnight: Bristol Hotel Chisinau or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 – Martha and Maria Monastery – Chateau Pucari Winery

This morning, visit the 17th-century Assumption of Virgin Mary Church, known for its remarkably preserved frescoes. Continue to Pucari to visit Chateau Pucari, the oldest and most famous winery in Moldova, for a guided tour, wine tasting and lunch. Afterwards, visit the Martha and Maria Monastery, dating from the early 20th century and noted for its fine architectural style. Return to Chisinau where the afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the popular “La Placinto” restaurant, accompanied by local music.

🛏️ Overnight: Bristol Hotel, Chisinau or similar
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – Departure from Chisinau

The tour ends after breakfast, followed by transfers to the airport for onward flights.

🛏️ Overnight: None
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast

Download the Information Pack

To download the tour full dossier, which includes a complete day-by-day itinerary breakdown and detailed tour information, fill in the details below.

Dates and Prices


Tour Code Start End Trip Status Pricing Per person
MME/040926 Sep 04, 2026

Friday

Sep 09, 2026

Wednesday

Guaranteed £1,095.00


Single Room Supplement: £125.00
MME/021026 Oct 02, 2026

Friday

Oct 07, 2026

Wednesday

Guaranteed £1,095.00


Single Room Supplement: £125.00
MME/230427 Apr 23, 2027

Friday

Apr 28, 2027

Wednesday

Guaranteed £1,095.00


Single Room Supplement: £125.00
MME/210527 May 21, 2027

Friday

May 26, 2027

Wednesday

Guaranteed £1,095.00


Single Room Supplement: £125.00
MME/030927 Sep 03, 2027

Friday

Sep 08, 2027

Wednesday

Guaranteed £1,095.00


Single Room Supplement: £125.00
MME/011027 Oct 01, 2027

Friday

Oct 06, 2027

Wednesday

Guaranteed £1,095.00


Single Room Supplement: £125.00

Feedback from our Travellers

Essential Info

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.

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