Day 1 Departure and arrival in Moldova (I)
To Moldova you fly with Turkish Airlines, from Helsinki to Istanbul between 13.25-16.50, with a connecting flight to Chișinău between 19.15-20.40.
On arrival in Chișinău, you will be met by a local Finnish-speaking guide and driver who will take you to your hotel. You will enjoy dinner at Beraria restaurant.
Day 2 Bender Fortress, Tiraspol and Beer House (A, L)
After breakfast, head to explore the Bender Fortress (also known as Tighina Fortress) in the town of Tighina, located on the right bank of the Dniester River in Transnistria, which seceded from Moldova.
From Bender you will continue your journey towards the regional capital Tiraspol. Transnistria has not been recognised as an independent state by any country, but is internationally considered part of Moldova. However, the region, which is about 200 kilometres long and 20 kilometres wide, lives as if it were an independent state. Transnistria has its own currency, post office, administration, police and army.
Before the city tour, refuel your energy with lunch at Kumaniok restaurant. The restaurant serves Ukrainian cuisine and you can also enjoy a lunch while sampling Transnistrian beers brewed at the Bender Brewery.
As the day progresses, you will return back to Chisinau. Before evening, you’ll visit the Beer House restaurant for a beer-tasting treat and a snack. This restaurant offers its customers products from its own brewery, accompanied by a cosy atmosphere and knowledgeable staff.
You can spend the evening as you wish. Sightseers will find The Triumphal Arch monument within walking distance, while those who appreciate natural beauty can explore the Kukkator. Dinner can be enjoyed at restaurants such as Salciora, which serves Moldovan cuisine.
Day 3 Orhei Vechi, Trebujeni village, Cricova (A, L)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Orhei Vechi, where you can explore the remains of human settlements dating back up to hundreds of thousands of years.
For lunch, you’ll head to the rural village of Trebujeni.
After lunch, it’s time for the Cricova winery and wine tasting. Cricova has underground galleries in the form of seventy streets on almost 53 hectares. Each street has its own name: Sauvignon, Cabernet, Cahor. One of the oldest bottles of wine in Moldova, dating back to 1902, is also kept here. One of the most famous stories about the region is from the 1966 visit of pilot Gagarin. The man got lost in the cellar network after the tasting and only the next day, after spending the night in the tasting room, did he get out of the cellar. The tasting room in question is named after him. Other famous people have been seen in the room, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who celebrated his 50th birthday here.
As the day progresses, you will return to Chisinau, where you will have the chance to visit the Efes Brewery before the evening buffet. The brewery is the largest beer producer in Moldova and controls more than 70% of the domestic market. Founded in 1873, the brewery was known as Fabrica de Bere din Chisinau.
The evening programme is self-directed. You can start your evening exploration of the city at the Robin Pub near your hotel, for example, where hungry people can enjoy a tasty pub meal.
Day 4 Free time (A)
Chișinău offers a wide range of quality restaurants. You can choose from European cuisine as well as local specialities. For those who love Moldovan cuisine, dinner can be enjoyed at restaurants such as La Placinte.
Day 5 Back home! (A)
Before the transfer to the airport, we enjoyed an early breakfast at the hotel. From Chisinau we fly to Istanbul at 10.20-11.55, with a connecting flight to Helsinki at 14.40-18.05.
