WINE Festival Tour in Moldova 02-08 October 2020

You’ll meet your local guide and driver at the airport. Free time. Accommodation in a 4* Hotel.

After breakfast you’ll participate in the Wine Festival and enjoy a walking city tour of Chisinau. It includes: The Central Park and the Alley of Moldovan literature classics, the monument of Steven the Great and Saint, Great National Assembly Square, the Triumph Arch, the “Nativity” Cathedral, the Organ Hall, the Market of souvenirs, etc.
Independent lunch
Afternoon, getting some action and visit the world famous Moldovan Cellars - Cricova, which is a real underground wine city with wide streets, warehouses, tasting rooms. The total length of its galleries is 120 km. The constant annual temperature of + 12ºC and 82–95 % humidity are perfect conditions for aging quality wines there. Cricova is also well known for brilliant sparkling-wines produced by the classic French method.
Independent dinner, same accommodation.

After breakfast you’ll visit one of the most visited sites of Moldova- Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei Cave Monastery Complex), located 55 km from Chisinau. This Cave Monastery is "arguably Moldova's most fantastic sight". Here you’ll see an Orthodox cave monastery called “St. Maria Dormata” expanded and modified inside the cliffs by the monks over the centuries and preserved in a functional state nowadays. After touring about this fascinating complex, you will enjoy a cooking masterclass and lunch in a Moldovan family pension located in the neighboring village. Return to Chisinau and continue enjoying the Wine Festival.
Same accommodation.

Today we invite you to discover Transnistria - the old USSR is still alive and well in this autonomous region. It is a breakaway territory within the internationally recognized borders of Moldova. First city to be discovered - Bender, where we will visit its Medieval Fortress. The fortress was built in one the most powerful of the medieval cities of Moldova – Tighina (old name of Bender), which was an important trade outpost. In 1538, the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent conquered the town, and renamed it Bender. Its fortifications were developed into a full fortress under the supervision of the Turkish architect Koji Mimar Sinan. Next, let's enjoy a brandy tasting at “Kvint”. This distillery is one of the oldest Moldovan enterprises established in 1897 which produces a large variety of divines for every day consumption (3-5 years old) to superior quality and collection divines (5-50 years old). City tour of Tiraspol and accommodation in 4* Hotel, traditional dinner with a family nearby Tiraspol.

In the morning we will start with a visit to Noul Neamt Monastery and then leaving Transnistria, heading to the South East of Moldova. First wine adventure for today - at Purcari winery. Centuries-old traditions in viticulture and winemaking of Purcari area formed the basis of a modern wine-making enterprise - Purcari, which is the only owner and keeper of Purcari zone elite wines production. The Purcari wine-making enterprise looks like a real chateau and it is the only place where people can get a notion of peculiar natural conditions along with the knowledge about the history, secrets and traditions of making legendary Purcari wines. Excursion and wine tasting.
An another adventure will be visiting the vineyards of ’Et Cetera ‘, that were planted in 2003 in the village of Crocmaz, Stefan Voda region, a unique micro-zone, ideal by its climatic condition for growing best vineyards. The winery was built in 2009 and at the moment it is surrounded by 50 ha of vineyards, giving a picturesque view to the visitors. Accommodation in Etcetera or Purcari Chateau. Dinner in Etcetera

Morning at leisure. Next wine adventure to the Castle Mimi, which is currently listed among the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world of wine. The story of the castle begins in 1893 when Constantin Mimi, the last governor of Bessarabia, planted the first grape vines on the place that would become legend over the years. The area of Codru, where the winery is placed, has a unique micro-climate and a very good terroir, as a result having intense and aromatic wines. Today the Castle Mimi winery produces classical wines like: Chardonnay, Pinot Gri, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, but also indigenous varieties as Feteasca Alba, Feteasca Neagra and Rara Neagra. The biggest attraction of the winery is off course the chateau and its cellars, that are built in a very old technique, so that all year round the temperature is the same: 14 degrees C. Excursion, wine tasting and lunch in the castle. Arrival in Chisinau. Accommodation to a 4* Hotel. Special dinner in a local wine bar specialized in promoting quality Moldovan wines produced by small producers.

The trip ends after breakfast at the hotel in Chisinau. Transfer to the airport for your flight.