TASTE MOLDOVA TRIP

5 days / 4 nights
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DISCOVER MOLDOVA’S CULTURE, HISTORY AND MAIN TRADITIONS

Collect most important memories of Moldova while discovering its rich culture, history and traditions!
Discover the most known wineries of the country on every day of this tour which offers unique experiences with insights into the specific of each winery and its splendors. Take part in a wine tasting masterclass offered by a professional sommelier and enjoy Moldovan music played live, dances and gastronomy. Discover Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) - a natural amphitheater revealing a territory which was first inhabited 40 000 years ago and travel back in time in the USSR - Transnistria.


Highlights

Castel Mimi winery

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Gala dinner at Castel...

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Pivnitele din Branesti...

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Cultural, Natural and...

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Château Vartely winery

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Et Cetera winery

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Château Purcari winery

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Tighina Fortress

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Aquatir Sturgeon Complex

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Tiraspol city

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Kvint wine and brandy...

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Cricova winery

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

Day 1: Welcome dinner at Castel Mimi winery

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

In the evening you will visit Castel Mimi winery located in Bulboaca village where you will enjoy a Gala dinner with local food and drinks and an attractive show program including national music played live and traditional Moldovan dances. Before dinner, an excursion and wine tasting will be offered to the guests. Also, a Moldovan magician will entertain you with an intriguing and mystifying magic show, after which a discotheque will be organized with a club DJ and a wonderful night is guaranteed!

Castel Mimi winery is a destination of interest unique in Moldova. It is currently listed among the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world of wine. The story of the castle begins at the end of 1893, when Constantin Mimi, the last governor of Bessarabia, plants the first grape vines on the place that would become legend over the years. Here, you will taste Castel Mimi wines, including Rosu de Bulboaca wine, an incomparable wine with outstanding features and elegant flavor.


HIGHLIGHTS: Castel Mimi winery, Gala dinner at Castel Mimi winery

Day 2: Branesti winery, Orheiul Vechi - a 40 thousand year-old natural amphitheater and Château Vartely winery

The first stop of this day will be at Branesti Winery where you will enjoy an excursion and a short networking and entertainment party with champagne tasting and strawberries. The Stone Age Complex of Branesti winery is situated in an old limestone mine at a depth of 60 meters. Thanks to the absence of internet and mobile communications guests can escape from civilization and city noise.

Next, you will travel to Butuceni village where you will be served a Moldovan traditional lunch and get familiar with the rural life, people lifestyle, traditions and you will be able to contact with the locals.

After lunch, 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.

You will continue your journey to Château Vartely winery in Orhei town. Château Vartely is a modern complex, which comprises 4 hotel-type houses, 2 restaurants, 3 tasting rooms, and a huge inner yard. In the cellars and then in tasting rooms you will be acquainted with the particularities of Château Vartely wines, you will learn how they are made, kept and served. Here, you will have the opportunity to taste some of them including the Ice Wine made of grapes frozen even on the vine with aromas revealing notes of exotic fruit. After the grapes are pressed, the pure and sweet grape juice turns into an unforgettable wine.


HIGHLIGHTS: Pivnitele din Branesti winery, Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi, Château Vartely winery

Day 3: Visit in the south-east region of Moldova and discovery of Et Cetera and Château Purcari wineries

In the morning, you will visit Et Cetera family winery in and take part in the excursion and wine tasting carried out by the owner of the winery who will inform you about the methods of wine production and maturation. At Et Cetera winery, you will have the opportunity to prepare the local pie called the Bride's pie - “Placinta Miresei” during a culinary masterclass, which will be tasted during lunch together with other dishes prepared from products of the region and Crocmaz village.

After lunch, the trip will continue to Château Purcari winery in Purcari village. If you are a wine enthusiast or just love to be in beautiful, pristine surroundings and listening the songs of birds, Purcari estate is definitely the place you need to visit. The old mansion’s galleries feature great collections of Purcari wines, some bottles dating back to 1948. The winery is famous all over the world due to the legendary wine “Negru de Purcari” - the elixir that in 1878 was highly appreciated on the international arena by being awarded the gold medal at Paris World Exhibition. In the tasting room, decorated in royal style, you will have the opportunity to taste Purcari wines and take part in a wine tasting masterclass offered by a professional sommelier. After enjoying the masterclass, you will be awarded a Certificate.


HIGHLIGHTS: Et Cetera winery, Château Purcari winery

 

What's included

  • 4 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at the hotel of your choice in Chisinau;
  • Breakfast at the hotel of your choice;
  • Lunch on day 2, 3, 4 of the itinerary;
  • Welcome dinner on day 1 of the itinerary;
  • Gala dinner on day 4 of the itinerary;
  • Dinner on day 2, 3 of the itinerary;
  • Excursions on the entire itinerary;
  • Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
  • Wine tasting at Castel Mimi winery, Château Vartely winery, Et Cetera winery, Purcari winery and Cricova winery;
  • Brandy tasting at Kvint wine and brandy factory;
  • Culinary masterclass at Et Cetera winery;
  • Wine tasting masterclass at Purcari winery;
  • Caviar tasting at Aquatir Sturgeon Complex;
  • Transportation during the entire itinerary;
  • Foreign language speaking guide.