MOLDOVA – UKRAINE TRAVEL ITINERARY (ODESSA REGION)

9 days / 8 nights
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ENJOY THIS AMAZING TOUR IN MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE!

Take advantage of this Moldova - Ukraine Travel Itinerary (Odessa Region) and visit 2 countries during the same trip. 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 important attractions such as Cricova winery (120 km) – one of the largest wineries in the world, Orheiul Vechi, 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 Sarmatian 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 De Ribas Street serving as a meeting place for locals and tourists. You will also visit important attractions in Odessa Region such as Odessa Catacombs, Shustov cognac factory, Akkerman fortress and Shabo Wine Culture Centre.


Highlights

Curchi Monastery

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Traditional dishes at...

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Cultural, Natural and...

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Cricova winery

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Comrat city

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Karagani winery

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National Gagauz Museum of...

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Tighina Fortress

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Tiraspol city

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Kvint wine and brandy...

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Odessa city

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Odessa Catacombs

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Shustov cognac factory

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Akkerman fortress

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Shabo Wine Culture Centre

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Château Purcari winery

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Chisinau city

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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 can have a walk through downtown and explore the city centre on your own.

Day 2: Discovery of Cricova winery (120 km) - one of the largest underground wine cellars in the world

Chisinau - Curchi - Butuceni - Orheiul Vechi - 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.

You will enjoy a culinary masterclass (“pacinte” making) and lunch at a guesthouse in Butuceni village where you will taste the “placinte” made during the masterclass and other Moldovan traditional dishes.

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 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.


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

Day 3: Trip to Gagauzia - Comrat city tour and visit to the winery from this region

Chisinau - Comrat - Vulcanesti - Besalma - Chisinau

You will start the day by travelling to Comrat where you will enjoy a city tour. Comrat is the capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia, located in southwest Moldova. This is a very interesting territory since the majority of its habitants are Gagauzians. These are the only representatives of Turkic origin that affiliated with the Eastern Orthodox Church. Gagauzians migrated from Bulgaria together with ethnic Bulgarians and settled in Moldova in the 19th century.

Next, you will travel to Karagani winery - a family winery located in Vulcanesti, in the southern part of Moldova. This is a small family enterprise that committed in grape cultivation and wine production. Karagani wines are produced by original technology from selected grapes of European and national varieties, grown on its own vineyards. On this land, you will discover the tastes of Karagani wines and the specificity of Gagauz cuisine, while tasting Gagauz dishes.

After lunch, you will visit the National Gagauz Museum of History and Ethnography “D. Cara-Ciobanu” in Besalma village. The museum presents the history, culture and everyday life of the Gagauz people from ancient times until nowadays. One of the personalities of this small nation was the writer D. Cara-Ciobanu, who spent his life promoting this culture. He founded this museum, which features more than 6,000 exhibits, including works by famous writers, poets and famous artists in Gagauzia. One of the most valuable items in the museum is the collection of original films produced during the Gagauz colonization of the steppe of Bugeac.

After the excursion at the museum, you will be transferred to Chisinau.


HIGHLIGHTS: Comrat city , Karagani winery, National Gagauz Museum of History and Ethnography “D. Cara-Ciobanu”

 

What's included

  • Accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at the hotel of your choice in Chisinau (5 nights) and the proposed hotel in Odessa (3 nights);
  • Breakfast at the hotels in Chisinau and Odessa;
  • Lunch on day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of the itinerary;
  • Excursions on the entire itinerary;
  • Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
  • Tasting of 4 types of wine at Cricova winery, 5 types of wine at Karagani winery and 6 types of wine at Château Purcari winery;
  • Tasting of 5 types of brandy at Kvint wine and brandy factory;
  • Culinary masterclass at Butuceni guesthouse;
  • Cognac tasting at Shustov cognac factory (Odessa);
  • Tasting of 6 types of wine at Shabo Wine Culture Centre (Shabo);
  • Transportation during the entire itinerary;
  • English speaking guide.