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Moldova Tours & Travel Guide
Italy, France, or Thailand are common and well-traveled destinations. Travelers who are looking to explore and learn about countries that are a little less-known should put Moldova at the top of their list. This country is very new compared to most and is still establishing it’s own identity and commerce. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of places to see and visit.
Moldova is one of the least visited countries in the world because of its novelty. This means you have the opportunity to see a country without the large tour groups or excessive high season crowds. It also means you can help support local communities and businesses grow when you visit.
People may write-off Moldova because it is a smaller, newer country and not much is known about to people outside of Eastern Europe. For travelers who are looking though for a destination that is out-of-the-ordinary and looking for a chance to learn about a new culture, Moldova is the perfect option.
Moldova is located at the northern point of the Balkans, or Southeastern Europe. It is landlocked between Romania and Ukraine. Due to its location between these countries and being in the Balkans, Moldova had a strong connection to Ottoman Empire and the USSR. Much of its culture was influenced by these empires and its proximity to Romania.
Moldova is a beautiful country that is characterized by its rolling, hilly plains that make up much of the country. Two major rivers, the Nistru and Prut, run through the county creating stunning river basins. Some of the country features large hills as the country is just east of the Carpathian Mountains. You can see more of this untouched land when you visit places such as Saharna Monastery.
Moldova was established in the 1300s under the Ottoman Empire when the Principality of Moldova was created. In fact, you can still see some of the medieval monasteries and buildings that are left behind from this time period. Moldova later on became a part of Romania and was established as an autonomous Soviet state when the USSR took control of the region.
Moldova remained part of the USSR until 1991 when it declared independence. Today, you can see much of the influence from the Soviet Union still in the buildings in Chisinau and in the region of Transnistria.
Moldova is a landlocked country, so visiting beaches won’t really be an option. However, the country has plenty of history, hidden gems, and interesting places you wouldn’t normally see in other countries.
1. Chisinau
Chisinau is the capital of Moldova and is a blend of Soviet-era buildings with unique, hidden buildings dating back to medieval times. The city was a bustling place during the Middle Ages, but many of the buildings from this time were destroyed by an earthquake. You can still find these special landmarks throughout the city standing right next to the Soviet-styled office buildings and large boulevards.
2. Milestii Mici
Speaking of interesting places, Milestii Mici is a must when visiting Moldova. Most people would assume that the largest wine cellar in the world would be in Italy, France, or California, but you might find it a shock to learn that it is in Moldova. One of Moldova’s best features is it’s wine history and culture that come together at Milestii Mici.
3. Capriana Monastery
Religion was an integral part of medieval Moldova and the best place to see that is at Capriana Monastery. Built in the mid-1400s, the monastery is one of the oldest in the country and showcases the strong ties to the Orthodox church the country once had and has again.
4. Transnistria
One of the most interesting places you will visit not only in Moldova, but in all of Europe, is Transnistria. This small region in between Moldova and Ukraine has held onto the customs and ways of life of Communist Soviet Union. It is so independent and unique, that some consider it its own separate country from Moldova. This is a frequent stop on any Moldovan tour and will be a glimpse into what Communist rule was like during the USSR.
Like many countries in this part of Europe, the cuisine has been heavily influenced by the different shifts of power and country lines through history. This area also saw a large amount of trade through the Ottoman Empire bringing in spices and dishes from Asia, along with Western Europe.
When visiting Moldova you will find plenty of grilled meats, cabbage, and cereals. If you are visiting Romania along with Moldova, you’ll see a culture exchange as the both countries’ cuisines are similar.
One of the must-eats in Moldova is "mamaliga." The dish is something in between cornbread and porridge that many equate to the texture of polenta. Of course, if you are going to travel through Moldova you must sample as much wine as possible. Many of the households in Moldova make their own wine, so trying the “house wine” at a restaurant really may be their “house wine.”
Excellent price/quality ratio. See almost everything to see in visited countries.
It was a good trip. Well organised. Great company. Luben was a wonderful guide. Always going the extra mile and is very patient handling and attending to this bunch ...
Absolutely brilliant tour. There were so many highlights like Transnistria, visit to missile museum in Ukraine, visit to Chernobyl as well as lots of interesting cit...
I have been on a lot of Eastern European tours and this one was the best. Our guide was excellent. The people on the tour were great. I would recommend this tour to ...
The tour was excellent except for a few hiccups - problems with a couple of hotels, a local tour guide, a local restaurant, etc. As the tour leader, Vera did an extr...
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