MOLDOVA - UKRAINE TOUR (ODESSA CITY)

5 days / 4 nights
View photos


DISCOVER MOLDOVA INCLUDING TRANSNISTRIA AND ODESSA CITY IN UKRAINE

Enjoy this Moldova - Ukraine Tour (Odessa city) and visit 2 countries during the same trip covering important tourist attractions of these countries. Offer yourself the opportunity to visit cities like Chisinau, the capital of Moldova and Odessa in Ukraine, named the “Pearl of the Black Sea”. In Moldova you will discover Cricova winery (120 km) – one of the largest wineries in the world and Asconi family winery. You will set off on a time travel to Orheiul Vechi in Moldova, a 40 thousand year-old natural amphitheater the originality of which is due to the defile of the Raut river, dug under the form of a canyon in the limestone layers of the former Sarmatia sea, about 14 million years ago. While in Odessa, you will see such architectural pearls as the Opera and Ballet Theater, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, Potemkin Stairs, considered the city's flagship, the Seaside Boulevard and the Derybasov Street serving as a meeting place for locals and tourists.



Highlights

Chisinau city

View

Curchi Monastery

View

Cultural, Natural and...

View

Traditional dishes at...

View

Cricova winery

View

Odessa city

View

Tiraspol city

View

Tighina Fortress

View

Asconi winery

View

 

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

Day 1: Arrival in Chisinau, Moldova

Chisinau

On arrival at Chisinau International Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the city.

After settling in, 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.

After the city tour, you will have dinner at a traditional restaurant in Chisinau where during dinner, you will discover the taste of Moldovan traditional dishes and of course enjoy the traditional live music show – the special flavor of the restaurant.


HIGHLIGHTS: Chisinau city

Day 2: Orheiul Vechi - a 40 thousand year-old natural amphitheater and Cricova winery – one of the largest wineries in the world

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 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.

You will have lunch at a guesthouse in Butuceni village where you will taste dishes from the local cuisine.

You will continue your trip by exploring a new city, this time an underground city. 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. The jewel of the underground treasure is the National Collection, including over 600 types of wine totaling about 1 million bottles. Here you can admire the oldest bottle of wine - "Jewish Easter Wine", dating from 1902 and discover the tastes of Cricova wines.

In the evening, you will have dinner at the hotel.


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

Day 3: Travel to Ukraine and discovery of Odessa city – the pearl of the Black Sea

Chisinau - Odessa

In the morning, you will be transferred to Odessa city, known as the pearl of the Black Sea.

Once arrived in Odessa, you will have lunch at a local restaurant where you will enjoy Ukrainian traditional dishes.

During the city tour you will discover the varied architecture of urban development which will allow you to take a journey through all the old epochs and styles. You will see such architectural pearls as the Opera and Ballet Theater, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, Potemkin Stairs, considered the city's flagship, the Seaside Boulevard and the Derybasov Street serving as a meeting place for locals and tourists. In addition, you will discover the Port of Odessa and its extraordinary history and see the statue of Duke De Richelieu, the founder of the city.

In the evening, you will have dinner at the restaurant of the hotel.


HIGHLIGHTS: Odessa city

 

What's included

  • 3 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at the hotel of your choice in Chisinau;
  • 1 night accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at a 4-star hotel in Odessa;
  • Breakfast at the hotel;
  • Lunch on day 2, 3, 4 of the itinerary;
  • Dinner on day 1, 2, 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 3 types of wine at Asconi winery;
  • Transportation during the entire itinerary;
  • English speaking guide.