Tour Overview
| Duration | 5 Days / 4 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Moldova — Chisinau, Cricova, Milestii Mici, Purcari, Orheiul Vechi |
| Price From | $995 per person (twin share, private tour) |
| Tour Style | Wine & Culture Private Tour |
| Best Season | April — October |
| Data Source | TraveloMoldova / moldova-tours.com 2026 itineraries |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Chisinau
Airport meet & greet. Transfer to central Chisinau hotel. Afternoon: walking tour of Moldova’s capital — Stefan cel Mare Boulevard, the Triumphal Arch, the Nativity Cathedral and its bell tower, the Parliament building, and the Alley of Classics (sculptures of Romanian literary giants). Evening: welcome wine tasting at a Chisinau wine bar — sample Moldova’s famous Feteasca, Rara Neagra, and Negru de Purcari wines paired with local cheese and meats. Overnight in Chisinau.
Day 2: Orheiul Vechi & Cricova Underground Wine City
Morning: drive to Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) — one of Moldova’s most spectacular sites. A 15th-century cave monastery carved into a limestone cliff overlooking the Raut River valley, part of a vast archaeological complex spanning from the Dacian era through the Golden Horde to medieval Moldova. Visit the cave church, the monk’s cell cut into the rock face, and the traditional 19th-century Moldovan farmhouse museum in Butuceni village. Lunch at an agro-pension with home-cooked Moldovan food. Afternoon: Cricova Winery — one of the world’s largest underground wine cities, with 120km of tunnels carved into limestone. Ride electric trains through the underground avenues named after wine varieties (Cabernet Street, Feteasca Avenue). Visit the National Wine Collection — 1.3 million bottles including Hermann Goering’s personal wine collection confiscated after WWII. The oldest bottle dates to 1902. Taste 4 premium wines in the underground tasting hall. Return to Chisinau. Overnight in Chisinau.
Day 3: Purcari & Et Cetera — The Queen’s Wine & Family Tradition
Morning: drive to Purcari Winery — Moldova’s most famous winery, established 1827, supplier to the British Royal Court. Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II are known to have enjoyed Negru de Purcari. Tour the historic cellars, the bottling line, and taste 4 wines including the iconic Negru de Purcari and Rosu de Purcari. Afternoon: Et Cetera Winery — a boutique family winery where the owner-winemaker personally guides you through barrel tastings straight from the cellar. Lunch among the vineyards at Et Cetera’s restaurant. Overnight in Chisinau.
Day 4: Milestii Mici & Asconi — Guinness Records & Castle Wines
Morning: Milestii Mici — recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest wine collection on Earth: 2 million bottles stored in 55km of underground galleries. Drive through the vast limestone cellars (cool 12-14°C year-round) in a vehicle, past dusty bottles dating back decades. Taste wines paired with traditional placinte (Moldovan pies) and cheese. Afternoon: Asconi Winery — a modern operation blending Italian and French winemaking technology with Moldovan grape varieties. Tour the production facility and taste 5 wines. Evening: farewell dinner at a traditional Moldovan restaurant with live folk music. Overnight in Chisinau.
Day 5: Chisinau Markets & Departure
Morning: visit the Central Market (Piata Centrala) — Moldova’s largest market, bursting with local produce, honey, walnuts, dried fruits, and Moldovan crafts. Pick up Moldovan wine, zacusca (vegetable spread), and handmade textiles. Transfer to Chisinau International Airport for departure.
Included
- 4 nights 4-star hotel with breakfast
- Private transport + English-speaking guide throughout
- Wine tastings at 5 wineries (Cricova, Purcari, Et Cetera, Milestii Mici, Asconi)
- 4 lunches + 1 dinner (Day 4 farewell)
- All entrance fees and cellar tours
- Airport transfers
