Moldova and Transnistria. From Underground Cellars to Soviet Time Capsules.

We will meet at the airport and take our flight to Chisinau.

Upon our arrival at night we will transfer to the hotel the Klassik Hotel where we will be staying for 6 nights. Breakfast is included each morning.

Throughout the tour we will be staying in twin rooms but there is an option to have a room to yourself for the trip. If you wish to have a room to yourself for the 6 nights the supplement will be £140. The supplement will be payable at the same time as the balance.

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don’t feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine. This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don’t really fancy!

Feel free to do as much or as little research as you like, some members will know what they would like to visit as soon as they book the trip, Others will just turn up at the airport and have not researched at all. Either is absolutely fine. We all have different ideas as to what constitutes a great time away!

After a late check in and overnight at the hotel. We will enjoy a Chisinau Walking Tour with our guide. We ’ll explore the city’s main parks, Soviet-era and imperial-style buildings, as well as several of the oldest churches in the capital. The tour includes key landmarks such as the Triumphal Arch, the Cathedral, Stephen the Great Monument, Chisinau City Hall, and the main boulevard where many administrative buildings and cultural institutions are located.

After exploring the capital, we continue to Castel Mimi, one of the country’s most iconic wineries and a remarkable example of European-style château architecture. During the guided tour, we will learn about the estate’s history, its modern winemaking philosophy, and the unique approach that has positioned Castel Mimi among the top wineries in Moldova. The experience concludes with a refined wine tasting paired with traditional cuisine.

After our tour concludes we will be dropped back at the hotel at around 18.00 and enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast the day begins with a visit to Curchi Monastery, one of the most beautiful and important monastic complexes in Bessarabia. Surrounded by forests, orchards and rolling hills, the monastery offers a peaceful and picturesque setting.

Next, we continue to Orheiul Vechi, one of Moldova’s most remarkable archaeological and natural landmarks, currently on UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List. Here we will explore the remains of medieval settlements and visit the active Cave Monastery of the Dormition of St. Mary, carved directly into the limestone cliffs.

Lunch will be served in the traditional village Trebujeni, where we will enjoy authentic Moldovan cuisine.

After lunch, we will participate in a hands-on plăcintă cooking masterclass, learning to prepare Moldova’s famous traditional pies using fresh local ingredients. Guided by experienced local hosts, we will discover the secrets of preparing the dough, creating delicious fillings and baking the pies, before enjoying our freshly made creations.

To conclude the day we will take an excursion to the wine cellars of Cricova, which is one of the largest wine cellars in Moldova. It boasts more than 200 km of labyrinthine roadways and tunnels, which was converted into an underground wine emporium in the 1950s. Half of the roadways are used for wine storage. This “wine city” has its warehouses, tasting rooms and other facilities underground. It goes down to over 340 feet below ground and holds 1.25 million bottles of rare wine. The temperature is maintained at about 54 °F all year round (which is perfect for wine).
Enjoy wine tasting 4 samples of wine + snacks.

After our tour concludes we will be dropped back at the hotel at around 18.00 and dinner will be booked for the group at a traditional restaurant.

Located in northern Moldova, on the picturesque banks of the Dniester River, Soroca is a historic town known for its medieval fortress, scenic landscapes and rich cultural diversity. With a history shaped by its strategic location and diverse communities, Soroca offers a fascinating glimpse into Moldova’s past and traditions.

Our fully guided tour today begins at the “Lumânarea Recunoștinței” (Candle of Gratitude) monument, an impressive landmark dedicated to the people who have preserved Moldova’s cultural heritage.

Visitors can climb approximately 650 steps to reach the monument and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Dniester River and the surrounding countryside. We then continue to Soroca Fortress, one of Moldova’s most important medieval monuments. Built between 1543 and 1546 on the banks of the Dniester River, the fortress played a strategic role in the region’s defence. Its distinctive circular architecture and well-preserved fortifications offer a fascinating insight into Moldova’s military history.

After exploring the fortress, lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Soroca.
In the afternoon, we visit Gypsy Hill, famous for its distinctive mansions inspired by palaces and castles from around the world.

With their imposing facades and decorative columns, these remarkable houses reflect the aspirations, traditions and unique identity of the local Roma community.
After our tour concludes we will be dropped back at the hotel at around 18.00 and dinner will be booked for the group at a traditional restaurant.

Our journey begins with a visit to Căpriana Monastery, one of the oldest and most important monastic settlements in the Republic of Moldova. Nestled in the heart of the Codrii forests, the monastery is renowned for its peaceful atmosphere, remarkable architecture and rich spiritual heritage.

Founded in the 15th century, Căpriana became a royal monastery in 1429 under the patronage of Moldavian rulers. During the Soviet era the monastery was closed and repurposed, but following Moldova’s national revival it was reopened in 1989 and today remains one of the country’s most cherished pilgrimage and cultural sites.
The tour continues to Conacul Mierii (Honey Manor) in Micleușeni, a charming family-run apiary where we will discover the fascinating world of beekeeping and learn about the importance of bees in local traditions and nature. The visit concludes with a tasting of 3 types of natural honey offering an authentic taste of Moldova’s sweetest traditions.

The final stop is Crama Mircești, a boutique winery surrounded by rolling vineyards and the beautifully restored Mircești Manor, often referred to as the “Little Tuscany” of Moldova. Here we will enjoy a delicious lunch before discovering the winery’s story during a guided tour of the estate and cellar.

The experience concludes with a guided tasting of five carefully selected wines, showcasing the character of the region and the winery’s commitment to quality, making it the perfect ending to a day filled with history, local traditions and authentic Moldovan hospitality.

After our tour concludes we will be dropped back at the hotel at around 18.00 and can enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Today there are 2 options to either have a free day to explore the city of Chisinau at leisure or to join a tour to Transnistria.

PLEASE NOTE: Many day trippers from Chisinau travel on guided tours with reputable companies to Transnistria daily, but you need to be aware that at this current time the FCDO advise against all travel there due to the ongoing war in the Ukraine.

To be covered by insurance you must purchase a specialist High-Risk/Crisis Zone Travel Insurance policy. This policy needs to cover you throughout your trip in Moldova and not just for the day we are visiting Transnistria.

We will advise regarding this closer to the time of the tour, I have researched the cost of this and for myself, a single trip policy insurance to cover all areas of Moldova is £67. https://www.voyageroasis.co.uk

For those that choose to join the day trip we will spend the day exploring Transnistria, a region with a distinctive identity, a complex history and a unique atmosphere.

Located along the banks of the Dniester River, Transnistria is known for its Soviet- era monuments, imposing architecture and enduring symbols of the USSR. We will start our tour with a visit to Bender Fortress that dates back from the 16th century, built by the Moldavian ruler Stefan cel Mare as a part of the defense chain on the Nistru river. Now in the Fortress, can be seen the museum, the torture chamber and other well-preserved sites.

Lunch will be served in a traditional soviet-style restaurant in Tiraspol.

In the afternoon we will explore Tiraspol, at the present moment, the administrative centre of the self-proclaimed Transnistria (Moldova).

Feel the atmosphere of this disputed territory which always has been a battlefield between the major powers of the region. The buildings of the Soviets, the monument of Suvorov, Central Market. Tiraspol is like a time capsule from the Soviet era. Statues of Lenin, Soviet- style architecture, and Communist symbols are still visible throughout the city.

If you’re interested in history or want to see remnants of the USSR, Tiraspol provides an authentic glimpse into that world.

Departure back to Chișinău
After our tour concludes we will be dropped back at the hotel at around 18.00 and dinner will be booked for the group at a traditional restaurant.

This morning we have free time before checking out and taking our private transfer to the airport for our flight to the UK.