Overview
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. After an evening welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on a orientation walk to get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
- Orientation Walk Chisinau: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, ATMs and some of the main sights.
Set out this morning with a local guide on a walking tour of Chisinau. Pass by some of the city's main sights and historical landmarks like the Parliament building and gaze at the beautiful architecture of the City Hall and St. Pantelimon Church. In the afternoon, visit Cricova Winery for a tour of the underground wine cellars and enjoy a tasting of some of the wines Moldova is famous for. Return to Chisinau for a free evening and optional dinner out with the group.
- Guided Walking Tour Chisinau:
- Cricova Winery Tour and Tasting: Explore one of the most popular underground wineries in Moldova and contains the largest collection of exclusive wines in the country. Moldova is home to three cellars located in limestone caves and this is located at a depth of 80 meters and spans 160 km in length. Witness more than 70 streets covering an area of 53 hectares, each bearing Bacchic names - Sauvignon, Cabernet, Cahor, as well as the oldest bottle in Moldova, dated from 1902. Enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars and learn of the process that makes these wines so special.
This morning, depart Chisinau for the North of Moldova. Stop at the Monastery of Saharna, a picturesque complex where you can relax in the shadow of a cascading waterfall, paired with ancient relics and deep history. Next, transfer to a local cheese factory in a small village for a light lunch sampling fresh cheeses, jams and wine. Learn how the initiative serves to support the community by providing employment and preserving Moldovan traditions. Continue to Butuceni Village for the evening.
- Saharna Monastery Visit: Set out on a self guided exploration of the Saharna Monastery, situated on the bank of the Nistru River. The picturesque Saharna offers views of soarkling waterfalls and lies in the shadow of rolling hills and lush forests. The relics of Saint Suvios Macarie are found in the complex and views of the chapel can be seen from the top of Grimidon hill. Legend has it that the footprints of the mother of God appeared in front of Saint Varfolomei in this location.
- Fromage - Made in Moldova: Settle in for a light lunch and learn about Thierry Ernst, a frenchman who came to Moldova to offer humanitarian aid. He and his wife transformed an old school into an eco-friendly cheese factory using locally sourced milk and blending French and Moldovan traditions, creating employment, and directly helping local families. Learn about Thierry's program development beyond the cheese factory, and finish the experience by sampling locally produced cheeses, jams, and wine.
This morning enjoy some light hiking to Orheiul Vechi, an area of natural beauty shaped by the river Raut as it cuts into the rocky hills of central Moldova. In medieval times, the river Raut served as a travel route for merchants from as far away as Greece. After free time in the village, join a cooking class at an agro-pension in Trebujeni, then stroll back to the eco resort in Butuceni. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon free to explore or relax.
- Cooking class in Trebujeni - Green Villa: Take part in a cooking class and lunch at an agro pension in the village of Trebujeni. Learn to prepare local specialties like placinte, traditional pies with cheese, potatoes, cabbage and other seasonal ingredients. Savour the delicious flavours from fresh ingredients before returning to Butuceni.
- Hike to Trebujeni Village: Hike your way around Orheiul Vechi, beginning at your Butuceni homestead. Explore the landscape around the Raut riverbed and the Cave Monastery where you'll be rewarded with beautiful vistas and ample birdwatching.
- Free Time: Relax and unwind after a morning of exploration. Take a free afternoon to explore however you wish.
Embark on a day of cultural immersion into the Gaugazia region of Moldova. Start at the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum and learn of the local wedding traditions with an interactive presentation. Continue on to Comrat for a winery tour and tasting, then visit Gagauz Sofrasi, a cultural and culinary complex where you'll learn about local traditions and indulge in a traditional Gagauz feast, featuring locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted wines.
- National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum Visit: Dive headfirst into the local culture as you join a mock traditional Gagauzian wedding ceremony located in the museum hall. Listen to local wedding songs and witness the gift giving traditions, one where women from both families unite and the mother-in-law provides an offering to her new daughter-in-law. Opt to participate in an artistic performance within the museum right in the hall where wedding dresses and the bride's dowry are exhibited.
- Vinuri De Comrat Winery Tour and Tasting: Tour the facility and sample the local flavours of the Vinuri de Comrat winery, in operation for 120 years. Learn of the traditions passed from generation to generation that lead to the unique Moldovan flavours.
- Gagauz Sofrası Meal and Experience: Enjoy Gagauz Sofrası, a cultural and culinary experience where you'll indulge in a traditional Gagauz feast, featuring locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted wines. Enjoy a bread and salt greeting before your meal, alongside a short introduction to Gagauzian hospitality. Visit a traditional guesthouse, the ethnographic museum, the wine cellar, and the terrace. In the museum, you have the unique opportunity to try on Gagauz attire to immerse yourself deeper in the local culture.
Wave goodbye to Congaz this morning and depart for the drive back to Chisinau. The remainder of the day is free to explore Moldova's capital city before regrouping in the evening for an optional final dinner out with the group.
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your chance to explore.
Depart at any time.
- Departure Day: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.
Trip Inclusions
- Take a guided walking tour of Moldova’s capital city.
- Visit Cricova winery for a tour of the underground cellars and taste some of the wines.
- Visit a local cheese factory in a small village and learn how they support their community.
- Be immersed in traditional culture in Moldova's Gaugazia region.
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Local Living Moment: Fromage - Made in Moldova, Rezina
- Your Foodie Moment: Cooking class in Trebujeni - Green Villa, Trebujeni
- Your Local Living Moment: Gagauz Sofrası Meal and Experience, Congaz
- Chisinau orientation walk
- Guided walking tour of Chisinau
- Cricova Winery tour and tasting
- Saharna Monastery visit
- 'Fromage - Made in Moldova' project visit and light lunch
- Orheiul Vechi Hike
- Trebujeni cooking class
- Guided National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum visit with cultural presentation
- Comrat winery tour and tasting
- Gagauz Sofrasi cultural and culinary complex visit with dinner
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private vehicle, walking
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
- Hotels (4 Nights), Eco Resort (2 Nights), Guesthouse (1 Night)
- 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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