- Stay in the capital of Chisinau and make a series of day excursions out
- Visit a country that officially does not exist
- Explore Moldova’s most important and most beautiful historical site - Orheiul Vechi
- Sample some delicious Moldovan wine at Cricova Winery
Essential Moldova
Discover the highlights of Moldova on this six-day holiday, staying for five nights in central Chisinau and using the capital as a base for privately arranged day trips. It’s an ideal introduction for first-time visitors, combining wine, history and traditional Moldovan food without the need to change hotels.
Explore the extraordinary underground wine cellars at Cricova and visit Orheiul Vechi, where archaeological remains and a cave monastery overlook the Raut River. A traditional Moldovan lunch is included here, served in a village house. There is also free time to explore Chisinau, with its parks, markets and broad boulevards.
An optional visit to Tiraspol provides an insight into Transnistria and its Soviet legacy, with monuments, architecture and street names that reflect its recent history. Staying in Chisinau throughout keeps the itinerary relaxed, and additional nights or excursions can be added to tailor the holiday.
Tour Itinerary
Arrive in Chisinau and transfer to the Hotel Bristol Central Park for five nights. The remainder of the day is free to settle in and begin exploring the Moldovan capital at your own pace.
Enjoy a free day exploring Chisinau at your own pace. Moldova's leafy capital is known for its broad boulevards and numerous parks, with many of the main sights easily explored on foot. See the Triumphal Arch and Nativity Cathedral, stroll through Stefan cel Mare Public Garden or browse the city's markets. There is also a growing choice of restaurants, cafes and wine bars where you can try Moldovan food and sample some of the country's wines. Alternatively, add an optional excursion or simply enjoy a relaxed day discovering the city. (B)
Travel outside Chisinau to Cricova, one of Moldova's best-known wineries and home to an extraordinary network of underground wine galleries. Created from former limestone mines, the tunnels were converted for wine storage during the 20th century and today form an underground 'wine city'. Explore the galleries by electric train, travelling along underground streets named after grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Learn about Moldova's winemaking traditions and see some of Cricova's extensive wine collection before visiting the tasting rooms to sample a selection of wines accompanied by local snacks. Return to Chisinau after the visit. (B)
Travel east from Chisinau into Transnistria for a guided visit to Tiraspol. The city retains many reminders of the Soviet period, from statues of Lenin and Soviet-era architecture to monuments, memorials and street names that have changed little since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Explore the city with your local guide, seeing landmarks including the House of Soviets, Lenin and Suvorov monuments, Kirov Square, the Central Post Office and the city's Orthodox cathedral. Continue to nearby Bender to see its historic fortress before returning to Chisinau later in the day. (B)
Travel into the Moldovan countryside to Orheiul Vechi, one of the country's most important historic and archaeological sites. Set above a bend in the Raut River, the landscape has been inhabited for thousands of years and contains remains from several different periods of Moldova's history. Explore the monastery complex, including the cave monastery cut into the limestone cliffs, and see archaeological remains associated with earlier settlements. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional Moldovan lunch in a village house, with the opportunity to sample home-style dishes and experience another side of rural Moldova before returning to Chisinau. (B,L)
Depending on your flight time, enjoy some final time at leisure in Chisinau. Pick up some last-minute souvenirs, take a walk through one of the city's parks or stop for a coffee before transferring to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)
Pricing Information
Price Includes
- Return international flights from the UK to Chisinau
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation in four-star hotel with breakfast*
- Meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- All transfers
- Excursion - Cricova Winery
- Excursion - Tiraspol
- Excursion - Orheiul Vechi
Price Includes
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
Price Notes
Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room in May 2027; supplements may apply for alternative travel dates or flight fare variations. International flights are based on services between the UK and Chisinau. Airlines and routings vary according to your chosen departure airport and travel dates, and supplements may apply.
Accommodation is based on the four-star Hotel Bristol Central Park in Chisinau. If you would prefer an alternative hotel or have a different budget in mind, our travel specialists can tailor the trip to your exact requirements. Please call us on 0207 666 1244 to discuss your preferences.
For single room supplements and solo traveller prices, please contact us.
Important Travel Advice – Transnistria
This itinerary includes a daytime visit to Tiraspol in Transnistria. The FCDO currently advises against all travel to Transnistria. The visit is arranged through our experienced local ground partner, who monitors conditions locally, and returns to the Moldovan government-controlled area the same day. GOV.UK
Please be aware that travelling against FCDO advice may affect the validity of your travel insurance and that UK consular assistance in Transnistria is extremely limited. We recommend checking the latest FCDO advice and your insurance cover before deciding whether to take part.
Tour Route Map
- Moldova, Chisinau
- Moldova, Cricova
- Moldova, Tiraspol
- Moldova, Orhei Vechi
Tour Accommodation
Image Gallery
