Experience at the destination: EXCELLENT
Summary
Enjoy this amazing Moldova Wine Festival 2024 (held in October in Chisinau) Tour Package on a trip from 4 to 8 October 2024 (including arrival and departure dates). Every year, the guests who travel to Moldova on the eve of the festival, receive a free wine bottle upon arrival at Chisinau International Airport. During this Moldova tour you will enjoy a wine experience at Cricova winery and 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. You will have the opportunity to harvest grapes in Branesti vineyards and taste Moldovan wines at the Wine Festival held in Chisinau. 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.
In the morning, you will discover Chisinau - the main administrative, scientific and cultural centre of Moldova. During the tour, you will see 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, the City Hall, etc.
After Chisinau city tour, you will attend the Wine Festival 2023 (first day of the festival) officially named National Wine Day. During the festival, Moldovan wineries proudly display their wines in individual stands, often richly decorated in national style, and offer wine tastings to visitors. The guests of the festival can find a vast range of wines: from dry, sweet, semi-sweet, and fortified wines to rare "collection wines", produced 10-20 years ago and stored in Moldova's famous underground cellars. While wine is the main attraction, many local restaurants and cafes offer more traditional foods: grilled meats, placinte, other traditional dishes, fruits, and desserts. The festival is known for its local color, with traditional music and dance and people dressed in national costumes. You will also have the possibility to buy Moldovan handicrafts.
During the lunch at the restaurant, you will enjoy Moldovan traditional dishes.
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 morning, this Moldova Wine Festival Tour Package will continue to Branesti village, where you will participate in the grape harvest at Branesti vineyards.
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 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 in Butuceni village, near Orheiul Vechi, where at Butuceni more guesthouse you will learn how to prepare traditional Moldovan dishes during a culinary masterclass, which will be served at lunch together with other traditional specialties.
After lunch, you will return to Chisinau, where you will attend the Wine Festival 2023 (second day of the festival).
In the morning, you will discover Tighina Fortress located in Tighina town and built in the 15th century by the prince of Moldova, Stephen the Great. Originally built as a small wooden fort, it was later fortified in stone by the prince of Moldova, Petru Rares. Occupied by the Ottomans in 1538 (in a campaign lead by the sultan Suleiman the Magnificent), the fort was strengthened in 1541 and became the center of an Ottoman "raya" (in which were included the surrounding Moldavian villages). In the 18th century, the fort was strengthened by Moldovan craftsmen under the direct supervision of Dimitrie Cantemir. Tighina Fortress is an architectural ensemble of irregular quadrilateral plan, surrounded by wide walls, 2-3 meters thick, made of limestone and brick.
In Tiraspol, you will set off on a time travel. During the city tour, you will discover Vladimir Lenin’s monument and the tank left from more the Second World War. The city seems to be a vestige of the Soviet past. Nevertheless, you will be amazed by the contrasts, one of which is the football complex „Sheriff” - a pearl of contemporary architecture.
In the afternoon, you will have lunch at a restaurant in Tiraspol.
After lunch, you will visit Kvint wine and brandy factory where harmony, refinement and tradition underlie the oldest and most genuine spirits. Here you will be acquainted with the taste of Kvint, Doina, Tiras, Nistru and Surprise spirits.
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
4 - 8 October 2024
Upon request
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
Astoria Hotel 3*
789€
559€
473€
City Park Hotel 4*
867€
637€
552€
Bristol Central Park Hotel 4*
879€
549€
564€
Nobil Luxury Boutique Hotel 5*
967€
737€
652€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | ||
|
4 - 8 October 2024 Upon request |
Astoria Hotel 3* | 789€ | 559€ | 473€ |
| City Park Hotel 4* | 867€ | 637€ | 552€ | |
| Bristol Central Park Hotel 4* | 879€ | 549€ | 564€ | |
| Nobil Luxury Boutique Hotel 5* | 967€ | 737€ | 652€ | |
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;
- Culinary masterclass;
- Excursions on the entire itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Tasting of 4 types of wine at Cricova winery;
- Tasting of 5 types of brandy at Kvint wine and brandy factory;
- Transportation during the entire itinerary;
- English speaking guide.
Reviews
Pat from Cayman Islands
October 2019