Highlights of Moldova Group Tour

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Embark on a morning walking tour of Moldova’s capital. Discover shops and restaurants lining Chisinau’s main street, Stefan cel Mare, stop at the Central Cathedral, admire the Parliament building, and spend time in Stefan cel Mare Park, where granite sculptures of Romanian literary figures can be found along the Alley of Classics.
This afternoon, visit Milestii Mici Winery, home to the world’s largest underground wine cellar – a vast subterranean complex stretching over 120 miles, though only a portion is open to visitors. Carved deep into limestone, this “wine city” features tunnels named after grape varieties such as Pinot, Cabernet, and Feteasca, creating a unique and atmospheric experience. Your local guide will share the history of this remarkable site, from the Soviet-era origins of the cellar to stories of rare and vintage bottles stored within its cool, echoing chambers. Some of the collection dates back to the mid-20th century, including bottles acquired after WWII. Wine tasting is not included. as we head back to the city for a special dinner in a wine shop, where we will taste five different Moldovan wines with a local sommelier. (B,D)

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Drive to the south of the country and explore the Gagauzia region, an area comprising three towns and more than 20 villages scattered across the districts of Comrat, Ceadir-Lunga, and Vulcanesti. First, visit the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum, where you will meet with the director, Lyudmila Marin-Karachoban, whose late father founded the museum in 1966. He was a Gagauz poet, artist, and teacher who dedicated most of his life to the rediscovery of the traditions of this nation within a nation. Lyudmila will share the story of the museum with anecdotes about her father’s life, a revered figure throughout the region.
Visit a collective farm and enjoy a traditional lunch with local wine. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the capital of Gagauzia, Comrat. Late afternoon, return to Chisinau. (B,L)

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This morning, visit the Casa Parinteasca Crafts Centre in the village of Palanca and meet Tatiana Popa, the heart of this rural household. She will show you some of the traditional handicrafts she makes and offer you delicious jam and tea made from flowers collected from the garden. Next, stop at Frumoasa Monastery, established in the 15th century. The monastery showcases remarkable architectural elements of the Moldavian style, characterised by intricate frescoes, ornate stone carvings, and vibrant exterior paintings. Continue to Crama Mircesti, a renowned winery celebrated for its modern approach to wine production. The region boasts a favourable terroir, yielding wines with distinctive character. This prompted the winery owner to establish the winery and commence the restoration of the nearby boyar mansion. Before embarking on a tour of the winery, take a short hike through the vineyards to an old Soviet meteorological station nearby. Overnight in the winery’s guesthouse, which serves traditional cuisine and, of course, includes some wine-tasting. (B,D)

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This morning, travel to the city of Soroca, located on the Nistru River. Visit the medieval fortress, which played a key role in defending the country from the Turks. Soroca is also known as the Roma capital of Moldova. On a hill overlooking the centre, you will find a unique quarter settled entirely by Roma. See their impressive mansions and, hopefully, have the opportunity to meet members of the community to learn about their culture and traditions.
Continue to one of Moldova’s most famous and impressive sights, Orheiul Vechi. This unique 13th-century cave monastery, created by Orthodox monks, is carved into a limestone cliff in this remote location. While here, visit a museum showcasing the traditional life of Moldovan farmers in the 19th century. Tonight, accommodation and dinner are at Eco Resort Butuceni. (B,D)

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Today, explore the capital of Transdniestr, Tiraspol, a self-proclaimed independent republic 40 miles southeast of Chisinau. With its own currency and border guards, Tiraspol is a living museum of Soviet culture, featuring Lenin statues and monuments like a T-34 tank. On your return to Moldova, stop at Bender Fortress, a 16th-century Ottoman-built site with a rich history of conflict and resilience. In the evening, dine at Castle Mimi in Bulboaca, where Constantin Mimi planted the first grapes in 1893. Enjoy a tour, wine-tasting, and dinner before transferring back to Chisinau for the night. (B,D)

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This morning enjoy a free morning in Chisinau. Enthusiasts of brutalist and Soviet architecture will find Chisinau particularly appealing, with its magnificent Soviet mosaics often depicting the achievements and heroes of the time. Many of these mosaics are scattered throughout the city. Shop for local souvenirs on Stefan Cel Mare Boulevard, between the National Theatre and the Organ Hall. For local food, visit the Central Market. At midday check out and visit to the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, established in 1889 and Moldova's oldest museum. It features extensive collections in geology, paleontology, zoology, and ethnography, including the unique Dinoterium skeleton. Housed in a historic building, the museum also boasts Bessarabia's first botanical garden and a valuable scientific library. In the mid-afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)