Summary
Enjoy this Culinary Tour in Moldova including pies masterclass (5 days) and let yourself discover the tasty traditional dishes from Moldovan cuisine. You will have the possibility to taste popular dishes in Lalova village, enjoy a wine experience at Cricova winery and a traditional dinner in Chisinau and have a traditional peasant feast in Palanca village. If you opt for a private tour, it can be customized according to your preferences.
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Alina
Local travel expert in Moldova
I am a representative of a local tour operator in Moldova that has over 10 years experience in the organization of travel. I mainly specialize in wine, gastronomic and cultural tours around Moldova.
Itinerary
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.
Day 2
Discovery of popular dishes in Moldova in Lalova village
Chisinau - Lalova - Tipova - Chisinau
The day will begin with Chisinau city tour. Chisinau 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 Chisinau city tour, the day will continue with the excursion at the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History built in 1905 in the oriental style, thus being a unique building of this kind in Moldova. Here, you will discover famous archaeological treasures, carpets, national costumes and other valuable exhibits and you will be able to see the “millenary smile” of the nicest deinotherium of Moldova.
Then, you will travel to Lalova village where you will visit Hanul lui Hanganu guesthouse, the perfect choice for a quiet and full of emotions stay. Here, more you will surely fall in love with some of the most popular dishes in Moldova. During lunch, you will discover the taste of such delicious dishes as Potatoes with meat in a pot, cooked following a recipe containing secrets passed down from generation to generation and Pancakes with sour cherries and sweet cream, a sweet and sour dessert that is hard to forget.
After lunch, you will visit Tipova Cave Monastery. Located near Tipova village, the monastery with the same name is considered one of the oldest monastic establishments on the territory of Moldova. The heritage, which consists of 18 rooms, dug into the rock at an astounding altitude, represents an impressive museum in the open air. The Tipova River, on its flow to the Dniester, creates many waterfalls with the height above 10-16 meters, which a long time ago used to move the millstones of the numerous watermills.
After visiting Tipova Cave Monastery, you will return to Chisinau, where during dinner at the restaurant, you will be enveloped in the traditional atmosphere, created by the traditional style of the restaurant, the traditional dishes and of course the traditional live music show – the special flavor of the restaurant.
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.
The day will continue in Butuceni village, near Orheiul Vechi, where at Butuceni guesthouse you will learn how to prepare “placinte” (traditional Moldovan pies) during a culinary masterclass, which will be served at lunch together with other traditional specialty, such as “zeama” (chicken noodle soup).
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 more 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.
After visiting Orheiul Vechi, you will enjoy the day 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.
After discovering Cricova wines you will enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant in Chisinau.
You will start the day by travelling to Hirjauca Monastery located near Hirjauca village in Calarasi district. The monastery was founded in 1740 in Codri forest, a green island filled with birds twittering around, but at the same time with quietness. Here, lost among the beech alleys, hidden from the stranger’s eyes, you will feel the beauty and quietness of this place, being surrounded exclusively by the whisper of springs and ringing of bells.
In the afternoon, you will visit Casa Parinteasca (Parents’ House) craft centre in Palanca village where you will visit the museum, including the peasant house from the 19th century and enjoy traditional peasant dishes, typical for Palanca village served with homemade wine. The lunch will be served along with remarkable jam and tea made from herbs collected from the garden.
After lunch, this Culinary Tour in Moldova will continue to Raciula more village where you will discover the “sweet” Casa Mierii (Honey House) guesthouse, where actually, in a small bees kingdom, with a bunch of beehives in the garden, and the house being transformed in a honey museum, the householder will disclose with patience all the secrets of a bee’s family. You will see a small family of bees through the glass wall of a hive and taste the natural and delicious honey produced here.
After visiting Casa Mierii, you will return to Chisinau where you will have some free time to enjoy on your own before dinner served at the restaurant.
On departure day, you will be transferred from the hotel to Chisinau International Airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you will have the option to explore Chisinau for a while on your own in the morning and buy some souvenirs.
Prices
Travel dates
Upon request
Price per person in €
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
10 Pers.
Astoria Hotel 3*
609€
513€
481€
Jumbo Hotel 4*
623€
527€
495€
City Park Hotel 4*
683€
587€
554€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | 10 Pers. | ||
|
Upon request |
Astoria Hotel 3* | 609€ | 513€ | 481€ |
| Jumbo Hotel 4* | 623€ | 527€ | 495€ | |
| City Park Hotel 4* | 683€ | 587€ | 554€ | |
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;
- Dinner on day 2, 3, 4 of the itinerary;
- Culinary masterclass;
- Excursions on the entire itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Tasting of 4 types of wine at Cricova winery;
- Honey tasting at Casa Mierii guesthouse;
- Transportation during the entire itinerary;
- English speaking guide.