Day 2: Wine experience at Cricova winery and wine tasting with dinner at Carpe Diem Wine Shop and Bar
Chisinau – Orheiul Vechi – Butuceni – Cricova – Chisinau
In the morning, you will enjoy a
city tour of Chisinau 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 also visit the
Central Market, where you will be able to buy local food products such as honey, walnuts, cheese, dried fruits, etc.
Next, you will visit Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) - 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 remnants of the first human settlements were found in the stone caverns from here. On the rocky hill, you will find the ruins of a strong Geto-Dacian fortification, which acted as a sanctuary for celebrating religious holidays and rituals in this prehistoric community. 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.
The day will continue at
Butuceni guesthouse, where you will enjoy a
culinary masterclass during which you will learn how to cook traditional “placinte” (pies) with sour cherries. At lunch you will taste traditional Moldovan dishes such as “zeama” (chicken soup with homemade egg noodles), “mamaliga” and the dessert made by you in a wonderful traditional atmosphere created by the live music show of the local folk ensemble. You may also try our national dances.
The next stop will be 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 totalling about 1 million bottles. Here you will admire the oldest bottle of wine - "Jewish Easter Wine", dating from 1902. You will also visit the unique production of sparkling wine, where a professional guide will tell you about all the process of producing sparkling wines using the famous French-style Méthode Champenoise. In one of the tasting rooms, the sommelier will explain the rules of wine tasting and help you better reveal the taste and bouquet of each type of wine.
In the evening, you will be transferred to Chisinau where you will enjoy
tasting wines and dinner at Carpe Diem Wine Shop and Bar.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Chisinau city,
Central Market in Chisinau ,
Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi,
"Placinte" and roll-ups masterclass at Butuceni guesthouse ,
Traditional dishes at Butuceni guesthouse ,
Cricova winery