Forgotten Neighbour | Weekend in Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is a small country located between Romania and Ukraine. Little known in Europe, it blends the charms of unspoiled nature with unique history and even more intriguing present. **Often referred as a hidden gem of Europe**, proves its unique character on every corner. Hundreds of kilometers of cellars filled to the ceiling with millions of wine bottles, cave monasteries, Transnistria – the soviet era stronghold are just a few curiosities awaiting travelers here. A short distance outside Chisinau is two of the countries most unique gems. **Milestii Mici** is a vineyard with the **world’s largest underground wine cellar**, with literally millions of bottles and more like an underground city with **endless kilometers of tunnels best explored on a bike!** And the **ancient city of Orheiul Vechi between the narrow bend of the Raut River** with eroded limestone rocks and the archaeological vestiges of the Trypillian civilization. You’ll find **cultural layers of different epochs** from the Paleolithic, Eneolithic, and Iron Age. Inhabited since ancient times to this day, Orthodox monks still guard the churches and grottos of this natural fortress. **Transnistria,** officially the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, is a breakaway state, unrecognized internationally part of Moldova, **under military occupation by Russia**. It’s territory is a narrow strip of land between the Dniester River and the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. To enter Transnistria is to **take a time-machine back to Soviet era**, you’ll think you were still in a cold-war geopolitical no-man’s land, with **strange flags, statues of Lenin, vodka for a dollar, and more hammers and sickles than you’ll see anywhere else!** **Let’s go!!** **DAY 1 // Chisinau** We reach Chisinau in the afternoon and first we’ll stretch our legs on a walk through the greenest capital in Europe! Pass by Cathedral Park and Bell Tower, Victory Arc, neoclassical monuments and quaint bookstores. Time for dinner and first taste of Moldovan cuisine. Check in to hotel for overnight. **Day 2 // Orheiul Vechi + Milestii Mici** After breakfast we’ll head to Orheiul Vechi and discover the countryside. We’ll explore the ancient monasteries and cave complexes filled with grottos, churches, and hermitages in this open-air museum. Within a small area, you can see here many typical elements of this country: traditional rural culture, picturesque churches, meandering river, white cliffs, and lush green steppes. In the afternoon, we’ll hit the road to Milestii Mici for an **underground bike ride** through the world’s largest wine cellar! With a few tastings along the way, we’ll head back to hotel for a well-deserved rest and dinner, perhaps a quick look at local nightlife. **Day 3 // Transnistria** After early breakfast of brânzoaice and strong coffee, we start our journey to Transnistria, the self-proclaimed independent republic with its own currency, border guards, and government. First stop will be the 16th century Tighina Fortress on our way to Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria, founded by the Russian general Alexandr Suvorov in 1792. We’ll pass by his statue in the square as we walk around the city, with stops at monuments, theatres, parliament houses and all manner of curiosities. Return to Chisinau for overnight. **Day 4 // Departure** Free time at leisure before transfer to airport. Bye Bye Moldova! **Grade**: easy, available to everyone. **Activities:** sightseeing, leisure cycling, immersion in Soviet era (Transnistria). **Accommodation & meals:** 4 star hotel, double sharing rooms, meals excluded. **Cost: 2820 AED excl. flights until AUG 01.** **Specifically excluded:** flights, visa (Schengen grants entry), insurance, meals except breakfasts. **Visa:** In addition to Schengen visa, some passports require additional permit (or simplified visa) to enter Moldova, [details here.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Moldova) *It is participant sole responsibility to assure