FROM THE BALTIC TO THE BLACK SEA
Wine Festival in Moldova Group Tour
An old Moldovan tradition that has become a fascinating wine festival; once the wine is fully fermented, wine producers invite everyone to come and appreciate the quality and taste of the new wine! A great opportunity to sample different types of wine, try a traditional barbeque, meet people, and enjoy an unforgettable Moldovan experience. Folk music and dance events (you can join in if you wish!), nearly 100 wineries, thousands of visitors, including tourists from all around the world gather on this day in the central square of Chisinau. Away from the vibrancy of the wine festival, you will visit Transnistria, and experience some of the finest wineries in Moldova. A wonderful trip for wine afficionados.
6 nights * Dep 29th September 2023 * Participate in the Moldovan Wine Festival * See the sights of Moldova * Lots of wineries, vineyards & wine tasting * Small group tour * From 1,337 EUR pp
Day 1: Arrival to Chisinau
Upon arrival at Chisinau airport you will meet your local guide and driver at the airport. After check-in at your 4 star hotel in the centre, you have free time to get dinner and start your exploring of Chisinau.
Day 2: Explore Chisinau & the Wine Festival
After breakfast, you will participate in the Wine Festival and take a guided walking tour of Chisinau. The tour will include highlights such as The Central Park, the Alley of Moldovan literature classics, the monument of Steven the Great, Great National Assembly Square, the Triumph Arch, the Nativity Cathedral, the Organ Hall, the souvenir market and more. From lunchtime onwards, the rest of the day is free to enjoy the wine festival - there is plenty to see and do! We can recommend places to try for lunch and dinner and accommodation is in the same hotel in Chisinau.
Day 3: Cave monastery & a local lunch
After breakfast we'll visit one of the most popular sights in Moldova - Orheiul Vechi cave monastery complex located 55km from Chisinau. Built into the cliffs by monks over the centuries and preserved in a functional state, this is a fascinating place to visit. Lunch will be at a family-run guesthouse for a local experience; this is a real insight into life in Moldova. After lunch, we return to Chisinau and continue with the wine festival. Accommodation is the same 4* hotel as the previous nights.
Day 4: Visit to Transnistria
Today we invite you to discover Transnistria - the old USSR is still alive and well in this autonomous region. It is a breakaway territory within the internationally recognised borders of Moldova. First, we'll visit Bender Fortress and the Museum of Bender Tragedy. In 1992, during the bloody conflict at the time of the Soviet Union's collapse, 1000 people, both military and innocent civilians were lost near Bender. A memorial museum of the Bender Tragedy opened September 1, 1997, the fifth anniversary of the tragedy. There will be an opportunity to buy lunch during our sightseeing.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a brandy tasting at Kvint, one of the oldest distilleries in Moldova. Arrival in Tiraspol, and a city tour to get us acquainted before checking in to our 4* hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a traditional dinner with a family near Tiraspol, to further learn about local life, culture and traditions.
Day 5: Monastery & winery adventure
In the morning we will start with a visit to Noul Neamt Monastery and then leaving Transnistria, head to the South East of Moldova. Because the best way to understand how wine is made is to visit a winery and talk to the winemaker, today we will stop for a tasting at the family-run Gogu Winery. Here we will meet the owner, a trendsetter and a young winemaker who is practically revolutionizing the wines in Moldova. We will go down into the wine cellar, and see what fermentation really looks and smells like. Later enjoy traditional specialties paired with their exclusive wines.
Next, another wine experience - Purcari winery. The Purcari wine-making enterprise looks like a real chateau and impressively combines chateau beauty and centuries-old traditions in viticulture, with hi-tech solutions. Enjoy an overnight stay with dinner and wine tasting at Purcari Chateau.
Day 6: South east Moldova - Chateau Mimi - Chisinau
The morning is at leisure. Next we move on to Castle Mimi in the area of Codru, which is currently listed among the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world of wine. The chateau produces classical wines like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, but also indigenous varieties like Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Neagra and Rara Neagra. A tour of the chateau and winery (with tasting) is followed by lunch, then a leisurely journey back to Chisinau. Final evening in Chisinau and a farewell dinner in a local wine restaurant that supports small wine producers!
Day 7: End of the tour
Check-out from the hotel and our guide and driver will take you to the airport for your flight home. End of the tour!
Overview
DEPARTURE DATE 2023
29th September - 5th October 2023
HOTELS
Chisinau - 4* central hotel
Tiraspol - 4* central hotel
Winery hotel
Notes
FLIGHTS
Flights are NOT included. We are happy for you to book your own flights, or if you prefer, we can do this for you. Please contact us for flight options and prices.
GROUPS & SMALL GROUPS OF FRIENDS
For groups of friends we can offer discounts on our itineraries, or tailor an itinerary to better suit your group! Please contact us directly to discuss your plans.
More Reviews
THE TRIP TO MOLDOVA WAS UNIQUE AND TRULY GREAT IN EVERY SENSE, AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!
The trip to Moldova was unique and truly great in every sense, an unforgettable experience! We had a fantastic time and enjoyed every minute. The two guides, were not only exceptionally nice and forthcoming, they went an extra mile to give us the best possible experience. We would give them 5 out 5 stars! Accommodation and restaurants were excellent. The two highlights for us were the sturgeon farm in Transnistria and the wine tasting in Chisinau. We also ordered some wine now through the guide, who will send everything in the coming days. Thanks for your quick response and for organizing this trip. I will certainly contact you again before our next trip.
MR PERNET, MOLDOVA TAILOR-MADE PRIVATE TOUR, OCTOBER 2021
AN OUTSTANDING TRIP TO MOLDOVA
Just returned last night from an OUTSTANDING trip to Moldova. My daughter and I genuinely fell in love with the country and the inhabitants. A key factor was the top professional and very wonderful [guide]. She was the best guide ever and I cannot recommend her enough.
MS KAAS, MOLDOVA PRIVATE TOUR, AUGUST 2021
TRANSNISTRA WAS THE MOST UNUSUAL
I had a really good time. My tour of Chisinau was led by Christina and Vladimir and they did a great job. The wineries and the monasteries fun. And, of course, Transnistra was the most unusual. I have been to both the Soviet Union and Russia, and this was really a step back in time.
MRS DERINGER, MOLDOVA PRIVATE TOUR, MAY 2016
THANKS AGAIN, AND KEEP UP THIS HIGH STANDARD!
We have returned from our trip to Moldova and Transnistria and just wanted to tell you that it was excellent and far exceeded even our high expectations. The tour guide (Elena) and the driver were exceptionally good throughout. We also much appreciated the time we spent with local peasant families, sharing meals with them, or learning more about their ancient customs. Thanks again, and keep up this high standard!
MR & MRS SPINKS, MOLDOVA PRIVATE TOUR, AUGUST 2018
A MEMORABLE TRIP TO A LARGELY UNKNOWN PART OF THE WORLD
Just wanted to say that the recent Moldova trip was an excellent introduction to a fascinating, beautiful country with a complex history but the most friendly, hospitable people and culture. The traditional food was great and the wines amongst the best I have ever tasted. Transnistria was like going back in time and the Victory Day Parade was surreal but highly entertaining and poignant at the same time, especially the Immortals parade. Thanks again to you and the team for a memorable trip to a largely unknown part of the world.
MR LANCASTER, MOLDOVA VICTORY DAY TOUR, MAY 2018
WE WOULD CERTAINLY RECOMMEND VISITING MOLDOVA
It is indeed now sometime since we arrived back from our holiday in Moldova but we still have very fond memories of the trip. My wife was especially touched by Vladimir's young daughter presenting her with a picture which she had painted as a birthday gift. The hotel in Chisinau was excellent and lived up to its 5 star rating. Chisinau has many interesting places to see and we enjoyed going around the city by the local trams and buses. Other highlights were the visit to the Milesti Mici wine cellars and the fascinating trip to Transnistra. All the arrangements worked well and we would certainly recommend visiting Moldova to people who would like to gosomewhere different and interesting and to use Baltic Holidays to do so.
MR & MRS PENFOLD, PRIVATE TOUR OF MOLDOVA, MAY 2017
THEY WERE VERY KIND AND MADE OUR TOUR VERY SPECIAL
We liked very much our tour! I would like to tell you that we liked specially the guides from Ukraine, Belarus, Kaliningrad and Vilnius. They were very kind and made our tour very special. In general, we liked all the hotels! Thanks a lot!
FABRICIO, TAILOR-MADE TOUR TO UKRAINE, MOLDOVA, BELARUS, KALININGRAD & LITHUANIA, AUGUST 2017
TRANSNISTRA WAS THE MOST UNUSUAL
I had a really good time. My tour of Chisinau was led by Christina and Vladimir and they did a great job. The wineries and the monasteries fun. And, of course, Transnistra was the most unusual. I have been to both the Soviet Union and Russia, and this was really a step back in time.
MRS DERINGER, MOLDOVA PRIVATE TOUR, MAY 2016
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