MOLDOVA SPRING TOUR - MARTISOR TRADITIONS

5 days / 4 nights
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TRAVEL TO MOLDOVA IN MARCH AND DISCOVER “MARTISOR”

During Moldova Spring Tour - Martisor Traditions from the 5th to the 9th of March 2020, you will get acquainted with “Martisor”, which is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and usually in the form of two dolls, a male and a female. It is part of the cultural practices associated to the 1st of March consisting mainly of the wearing of a red and white thread with the purpose of ensuring the safe and harmonious passage from winter to spring. “Martisor” was included by UNESCO on its intangible cultural heritage of humanity list. At “Viorica-Cosmetic” factory, the largest cosmetics and perfumery producer in Moldova, you will enjoy a workshop which includes a masterclass on preparing a scrub for the body. You will discover Cricova winery (120 km), enjoying an excursion at the winery in the tourist train, at a depth of 80 m and Castel Mimi winery, currently listed among the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world of wine.



Highlights

National Museum of...

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Exhibition of "Martisor"

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Chisinau city

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Curchi Monastery

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Cultural, Natural and...

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Traditional dishes at...

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Cricova winery

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"Viorica-Cosmetic"...

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Asconi winery

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Castel Mimi winery

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Itinerary A day-by-day plan to guide your journey. Download PDF

Day 1: Arrival day

Chisinau

On arrival at Chisinau International Airport, you will arrange on your own the transfer to the hotel in Chisinau. After settling in, you can have a walk through downtown and explore the city centre on your own.

Optional: Dinner at the restaurant.

Day 2: Visit of “Martisor” exhibition and “Martisor” masterclass at the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History

Chisinau

In the morning, you will visit the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History where you will see the exhibition of “Martisor”, which is a small piece of adornment, made of white and red yarn and usually in the form of two dolls, a male and a female. It is part of the cultural practices associated to the 1st of March consisting mainly of the wearing of a red and white thread with the purpose of ensuring the safe and harmonious passage from winter to spring. “Martisor” was included by UNESCO on its intangible cultural heritage of humanity list. At the museum, you will also enjoy a masterclass of “Martisor”, during which you will learn how to make the “Martisor”.

Next, you will enjoy a tour of Chisinau city which is the main administrative, scientific and cultural centre of Moldova. During the tour, you will discover pieces of history and culture of the city such as the Nativity of Christ Cathedral, the Bell Tower, the Arch of Triumph, the Monument of Stephen the Great, etc.

You will have lunch and wine tasting at a local wine bar in Chisinau.

In the evening, you will have the option to attend the concert dedicated to “Martisor” Festival.



HIGHLIGHTS: National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, Exhibition of "Martisor", Chisinau city

Day 3: Discovery of the Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi

Chisinau - Curchi - Orheiul Vechi - Butuceni - Cricova - Chisinau

The first stop of this day will be at Curchi Monastery. The monastery is surrounded by a high wall of stone, set with towers at each corner, creating the impression of a fortress. The Nativity of Virgin Mary Church built in 1775 by Iordache Curchi is an example of neo-byzantine style, while St. Nicholas Church has monumental forms built in classicism style with baroque elements.

Next, you will set off on a time travel to Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) to see a natural amphitheater revealing a territory which was first inhabited 40 000 years ago. The Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi includes a series of historical and cultural monuments as well as natural landscapes in the gorge of the Raut River. Ancient fortifications, cave monasteries, monks and hermits – here you can follow the history of this region. The originality of Orheiul Vechi landscape is due to the gorge of the Raut River, dug under the form of a canyon in the limestone layers of the former Sarmatian Sea, about 14 million years ago.

In the afternoon, you will have lunch at Butuceni guesthouse in Butuceni village where you will taste dishes from the slow local cuisine.

The day will continue with an excursion and wine tasting at Cricova winery – the only wine enterprise that was awarded the highest state prize “The Order of the Republic” and has been declared by law a national cultural heritage. During the excursion at Cricova winery in the tourist train, at a depth of 80 m, you will discover the wonders of this place. Cricova underground galleries are formed by over seventy streets covering an area of nearly 120 km, each bearing Bacchic names: Sauvignon, Cabernet, Cahors, etc. The jewel of the underground treasure is the National Collection, including over 600 types of wine totaling about 1 million bottles. Here you will admire the oldest bottle of wine - "Jewish Easter Wine", dating from 1902, discover the tastes of Cricova wines and enjoy an exquisite dinner.

In the evening, you will have the option to attend the concert dedicated to “Martisor” Festival.


HIGHLIGHTS: Curchi Monastery, Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi, Traditional dishes at Butuceni guesthouse , Cricova winery

 

What's included

  • 4 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at a 4-star hotel in Chisinau;
  • Breakfast at the hotel;
  • Lunch on day 2, 3 of the itinerary;
  • Dinner on day 3, 4 of the itinerary;
  • Excursions on the entire itinerary;
  • Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
  • Tasting of 4 types of wine at Cricova winery and 5 types of wine at Asconi winery;
  • Wine tasting at a local wine bar in Chisinau and Castel Mimi winery;
  • “Martisor” masterclass;
  • Workshop at “Viorica-Cosmetic” factory;
  • Transportation during the entire itinerary;
  • English speaking guide.