Eastern Europe Moldova
Once the famous Russian poet A. Pushkin exploring this country called it southern wonderland and today it has a lot to offer to its guests and not only in terms of tourism. Known more, if known at all, as “the poorest country in Europe”, Moldova refuses to live up to this reputation anymore. You can experience a blooming country, a state going to wake up from its long lasting sleep like a fairy-tale character. So give it a decisive kiss!
Day 1
You arrive in Chisinău. After check-in at the hotel we still have a couple of hours for the first acquaintance with the city. The locals call the city “the white stone flower” , though the very name is derived from “chisla noua” – “a new spring”. During the city tour, we will try to understand what has inspired people to resort to such a comparison. We will explore the center with the main street – Stefan cel Mare, which is the main artery of the Moldovan capital, we will see the government district and the Arc de Triomphe, we will walk in the Pushkin Park and down the “Avenue of the classics” of the Romanian Literature, visit the the Cathedral of Christ’s Nativity, Constantine and Helena Church, Armenian Church, Masaraki Church, which is the oldest building in town.
In the evening, we go to the local restaurant with Moldovan cuisine and enjoy there a folklore show.
Day 2
It is a well-known fact, that the best way to comprehend the culture of a country is to get to know its people. The second day of our trip we start with the visit to the Central Market in Chisinau. In the huge market hall, you can try and buy a wide range of country-specific specialties or just examine this oriental-style anthill and dwell upon the Mediterranean and Nordic
appearance of the townsfolk. Then, we will visit the Museum of Archaeology and History and complete thus our knowledge of the region.
In Codrus, we visit the Capriana Monastery, which was built in the 15th century and was once the residence of the Metropolitans. In the village Condrita, we visit the beautiful St. Nicholas Monastery and learn about the Hajduks – kind of Robin Good’s successors, who founded the monastery.
In the afternoon of this day, we have selected for you a unique wine cellar in Milesti Mici. With its 1.5 million bottles it houses the largest wine collection in Europe, which was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The corridors in the basement are almost 200 km long. Of course, an extensive wine tasting awaits you there.
Day 3
We begin this day the way we finished yesterday. Our day will start with visiting of the Curci monastery, which is said to be founded owing to a beautiful story of the conversion of robber gang to Christianity. Our lunch we will enjoy in Trebujeni – a small village nearby. You will not only take delight in the Moldovan traditional cuisine, but also have a chance to visit a private household, which will give you an insight into the life style of ordinary Moldovans. We will continue our acquaintance with the Moldovan country life in the ethnographic museum in Butuceni. Subsequently we drive to Orheiul-Vechi (the Old Orhei), a 40,000 years old amphitheater. Traces of many ancient civilizations including those of the Dacians, to whom the present Moldovans are believed to be related, have been found there. The ruins of the Heto-Dacian fortress are also to be seen here. You will visit the ruins of a medieval town and the unique cave monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary from the 13th century carved high above the river Reut in the rocks. The river here flows through the S-shaped plateau, with the up to 60 m high slopes riddled like Swiss cheese. In the evening we reach the village Lalova that is situated on the Dnister bank.
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