According to indexdotcom, the most popular reason why foreign tourists come to Moldova is, of course, the local vineyards and associated wine tours. There are no such offers on the market! Tourists are offered to visit local productions, vineyards in various regions of the country, to taste multiple varieties of Moldovan wines, and at the same time to see other sights of the country. Each region of Moldova specializes in different varieties of grapes and wines. The most famous sights of “wine tourism” in Moldova are the Sami large underground wine cellars with a length of more than 200 kilometers, Cricova and Small Milesti, as well as the oldest winery in Europe, Purcari, where Nicholas II himself tasted wines. The cellars of the Branesti cellars, the Museum of Folk Crafts and the National College of Winemaking will also be of interest. Second, no less interesting point of the tourist program in Moldova is the cultural monuments of the early Christian era, as well as medieval buildings. The most interesting attraction is the archaeological complex Old Orhei, which is a cave carved into the ancient rocks with preserved cells of the early Christian era, the fortress of the Geto-Dacians (the people who preceded the Moldavians) and the monastery of the Assumption of the Mother of God, created right in the rocks. Of particular interest are the numerous Moldavian monasteries of the medieval era, including the Holy Trinity Monastery in the village of Saharna, the Tsypova rock monastery on the banks of the Dniester (VIII-X centuries), the Zhapka convent and the Church of the Ascension of the Holy Cross in it, the monasteries of Khincu and Capriana. If you are interested in the gypsy culture, so widespread in Moldova, do not miss the opportunity to visit the village of Soroca, which is also called the gypsy capital of Moldova. It contains the most beautiful old quarter of gypsy houses, as well as the citadel of Stefan cel Maare, created in the 15th century. Like any capital, Chisinau in Moldova is also of particular interest. There are 23 beautiful parks here, in particular the square of the Cathedral, the park named after. Stefan cel Mare, Riscani, parks in the Rose Valley and the Valley of the Mills, and many others. There are interesting museums in Chisinau: the Pushkin Museum, where the poet painted the famous “Prisoner of the Caucasus”, the Museum of National Archeology and History, the Museum of Ethnography and Nature and the Museum of Plastic Arts. At one time, Chisinau was one of the centers of Jewish culture, so a number of Jewish sights have been preserved here, including the Jewish cemetery,
National cuisine of Moldova
Moldova is located on fertile soils, its cuisine has absorbed all the best that exists in the region, and also seasoned it all with its own flavor. Over time, she has brought together the traditions of Greek, Ukrainian, Turkish, Russian and German cuisines. In a word, Moldavian cuisine is satisfying, sound and very sincere. The basis of the diet here is made up of numerous vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes and sweet peppers) and legumes. Often meat is also used in local dishes, and in a wide variety, it is veal, beef, lamb, pork, and poultry, often domestic. Despite the satiety, the dishes of Moldovan cuisine are quite “healthy”, largely due to the abundance of vegetables, as well as the method of cooking – stewing or grilling “gratar”. Moldovans are very fond of soups, often in their composition there is “bors” – bran kvass. Be sure to try local soups such as “chorba” with meat and “zama” with chicken, to which an egg beaten with thick homemade sour cream is added. The choice of second courses is incredibly wide, everyone is worth a try: cabbage rolls “sarlale”, meat stew with vegetables “tokanu”, beef sausages “mititei” and pork sausages “kyrnetsei”, grilled pork “bone”. A typical breakfast in Moldova is represented by mamaliga corn porridge or skrob omelet. Typical appetizers in Moldovan cuisine are “twirl” and “placinda” – these are “multifunctional” dough rolls that can have either a sweet filling of cottage cheese, fruits or nuts, as well as onion or pumpkin. Baking is very popular in Moldova, and here both wheat and corn flour are used with equal frequency. Pies with various fillings are often baked here, as well as cookies, kalachi and Easter cakes. Speaking of Moldova, one cannot fail to mention local wines, because in many respects it is precisely these drinks that the Republic of Moldova is famous for. At least for the sake of chic varieties of local wines and cognacs, it is worth coming here.
Transport
Getting to Moldova is extremely simple, just a couple of hours of flight from Moscow – and you are there. Two airlines S7 and Air Moldova fly here from the capital of our country, flights are made twice a day throughout the year. You can also fly to Moldova from St. Petersburg and Kyiv. If you wish, you can use land transport, trains regularly leave for Moldova (Chisinau) from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Minsk. Travel time is from 26 to 40 hours. Minibuses and buses are the main intercity transport in Moldova. In Chisinau, there are three intercity stations at once, from where trains depart to all cities of the country. From the north, respectively, to the northern part of Moldova, from the south – to the south, and from the central – to Transnistria. On minibuses you can also get to almost any settlement, they cost a little more, but they also go faster. In Moldova, there is a high-quality and modern railway that meets all European standards. It connects Chisinau with Balti, Tiraspol and Bendery. All the same classes of carriages are presented in local trains as in Russian ones. Renting a car in Moldova is quite simple, you will need a driver’s license and, of course, money. The age of the driver and his driving experience are of no particular importance. The deposit is from 50 to 150 euros, depending on the class of the chosen car. Urban transport is represented by buses, and in large cities – also taxis. Bus routes cover all residential areas, they are sent on time. Taxis can be called by phone or found at the counter in tourist areas. The deposit is from 50 to 150 euros, depending on the class of the chosen car. Urban transport is represented by buses, and in large cities – also taxis. Bus routes cover all residential areas, they are sent on time. Taxis can be called by phone or found at the counter in tourist areas. The deposit is from 50 to 150 euros, depending on the class of the chosen car. Urban transport is represented by buses, and in large cities – also taxis. Bus routes cover all residential areas, they are sent on time. Taxis can be called by phone or found at the counter in tourist areas.