- Descend into the labyrinthine Milestii Mici Winery, boasting the world's largest wine cellar
- Immerse yourself in the intriguing culture of Gagauzia, sampling traditional cuisine and wines
- Explore Transnistria, where Soviet nostalgia meets contemporary reality.
- Enjoy honey tasting at the quaint Honey Museum, a testament to Moldova's rich beekeeping heritage
Vineyards & Villages: Exploring Moldova's Hidden Treasures
Explore Moldova in greater depth on this eight-day private tour, travelling from Chisinau through the wine regions and rural south before visiting Transnistria and Orheiul Vechi. Stay in a mix of city hotels, village guesthouses and rural properties, with an experienced private driver-guide accompanying you throughout.
Visit the vast underground wine cellars at Milestii Mici, spend time in the Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve and discover the distinctive culture and cuisine of Gagauzia. Taste wines at small producers and historic Purcari, explore monasteries and villages, and cross into Transnistria to visit Tiraspol and Bender Fortress before returning to Chisinau.
Our Cultural Landscapes holidays are designed for travellers who want to see more than the main sights. The varied accommodation and privately guided touring make this a particularly good choice for experiencing Moldova's food, wine, history and rural traditions at a relaxed pace
Tour Itinerary
Arrive in Chisinau and check in to your upmarket four-star hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy an evening of independent dining, savouring the flavours of Moldovan cuisine at your leisure.
Travel to Milestii Mici Winery, home to an extraordinary underground wine collection of more than a million bottles and recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's largest wine collection. Explore part of the vast network of limestone galleries and learn about Moldova's long winemaking traditions. Continue south to Valeni, a rural village within the Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve and recognised by UN Tourism as a Best Tourism Village in 2023. Visit the local museum before enjoying a traditional dinner and an overnight stay in the village. (B,D)
Start the day with a boat trip on Lake Beleu, Moldova's largest natural lake and part of the Lower Prut Biosphere Reserve. The wetlands provide an important habitat for numerous species of birds and form part of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Continue to Gagauzia, an autonomous region in southern Moldova with its own distinctive language, culture and traditions. Visit KaraGani, a small family winery, for a tasting and lunch before continuing to Gagauz Sofrasi, where you'll stay overnight and experience traditional Gagauz hospitality. (B,L)
Visit the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum in Besalma to learn more about the history, customs and everyday life of the Gagauz people. Continue to Comrat, the regional capital, for a short tour before travelling to Causeni. Here, visit the unusual Assumption of the Virgin Church, partly sunk below ground level and known for the frescoes covering its interior. Continue to Chateau Purcari, one of Moldova's oldest and best-known wine estates, for a tour and tasting. End the day in the village of Palanca, where you'll stay overnight at a local guesthouse. (B,D)
Travel into Transnistria and explore Tiraspol, where Soviet-era architecture, monuments and symbols remain a prominent part of the city. Continue to Bender Fortress, a 16th-century stronghold that has been controlled by several powers during its long history, including the Ottoman and Russian empires. Later, return to the Moldovan government-controlled area and continue to Orheiul Vechi. Set above the Raut River, this important archaeological landscape contains traces of several periods of settlement as well as its well-known cave monastery cut into the limestone cliffs. Stay overnight in the village of Butuceni. (B,D)
Begin at Curchi Monastery, one of Moldova's most impressive Orthodox monastic complexes, before continuing to Raciula and its Honey Museum. Learn about local beekeeping traditions and taste several varieties of honey and other honey products. Visit the Casa Parinteasca craft centre to learn about traditional Moldovan clothing, crafts and rural customs, accompanied by herbal tea and homemade preserves. Make a final stop at Frumoasa Monastery before returning to Chisinau for the night. (B)
Explore Chisinau with a local guide this morning. Follow Stefan cel Mare Boulevard through the centre, see the Nativity Cathedral and Triumphal Arch, and pass the Parliament building before walking through Stefan cel Mare Public Garden. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing, shopping or simply enjoying the city. This evening, finish the tour with a farewell dinner at a local wine bar, accompanied by a tasting of five Moldovan wines led by a sommelier. (B,D)
Depending on your flight time, enjoy some final time at leisure in Chisinau before transferring to the airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)
Pricing Information
Price Includes
- Return international flights from the UK to Moldova
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All transfers and transportation
- Entrance fees and sightseeing with English-speaking guide
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Price Includes
Price Excludes
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 hotels and guesthouses featured in the itinerary. If you would prefer alternative accommodation or have a different budget in mind, our travel specialists can tailor the trip to your requirements. Please call us on 0207 666 1244 to discuss your preferences.
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. Clients who prefer not to travel to Transnistria can opt out of this excursion. 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, Valeni
- Moldova, Gagauzia
- Moldova, Tiraspol
- Moldova, Orhei Vechi
- Moldova, Chisinau
Tour Accommodation
Image Gallery