Moldova Wine & Culture — 4 Days Cricova, Orheiul Vechi, Chisinau & Purcari

Tour Overview

Discover the wine and culture of Moldova on this 4-day journey, from the vibrant capital of Chișinău to the famous underground wine city of Cricova, the stunning ancient cave monastery of Orheiul Vechi, the beautiful Căpriana Monastery, the historic Purcari winery, and the unique breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova, a small landlocked country in Eastern Europe, is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with a rich wine culture, stunning monasteries, beautiful countryside, and fascinating history.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Chișinău & City Tour

Arrive at Chișinău International Airport (Chișinău, Moldova). Transfer to your hotel. Explore Chișinău, the capital and largest city of Moldova, a vibrant city with its mix of Soviet-era architecture, beautiful parks, historic buildings, and a growing café and restaurant scene. Visit the Historic Center of Chișinău: the Nativity Cathedral (a beautiful Orthodox cathedral in the center of the city, with its stunning architecture and the beautiful Cathedral Park), the Cathedral Park (with its beautiful fountain, the famous monument to Stefan the Great, and the various historic buildings), the Stefan cel Mare Boulevard (the main boulevard of Chișinău, with its beautiful trees, historic buildings, and the various government buildings), the Presidential Palace, the Parliament Building, and the various other landmarks. Visit the National Museum of History of Moldova (with its exhibits on the history of Moldova from prehistoric times to the present, including artifacts from the ancient Dacian and Roman periods, the medieval period, the Soviet period, and the modern era). Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts (with its collection of Moldovan and international art). Visit the famous Chișinău Central Market (a bustling market with its fresh produce, wine, honey, crafts, and local food, a great place to experience the vibrant Moldovan culture). Visit the various parks and gardens including the Valea Morilor Park (with its beautiful lake) and the Dendrarium Park. After lunch, visit a local wine bar in Chișinău for an introduction to Moldovan wines (Moldova is famous for its wines, with a wine-making tradition dating back over 7,000 years, and is one of the largest wine producers in Eastern Europe, famous for its local grape varieties including Fetească Albă, Fetească Neagră, Rară Neagră, and many others, as well as international varieties). Evening welcome dinner with Moldovan cuisine including sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mămăligă (polenta), plăcinte (stuffed pastries), fresh vegetables, and Moldovan wine. Overnight in Chișinău.

Day 2: Cricova Winery & Orheiul Vechi

Morning visit the Cricova winery (one of the most famous and largest wineries in Moldova, located just north of Chișinău, famous for its incredible underground wine city, with over 120 kilometers of underground tunnels and galleries carved into the limestone, creating a massive underground wine cellar that is one of the largest in the world. The Cricova winery was founded in 1952 and has a collection of over 1.25 million bottles of wine, including some of the oldest and rarest wines in the world, with the oldest bottle dating back to 1902). Take a guided tour of the underground wine city, driving through the incredible tunnels and galleries (the tunnels are so large that you can drive a car through them, with street names and intersections, creating a true underground city), visiting the various wine cellars, the tasting rooms, the museum of wine, and the famous collection of rare and vintage wines. Enjoy a wine tasting of various Cricova wines, including their famous sparkling wines (Cricova is famous for its sparkling wines, made using the traditional method, similar to champagne) and their still wines. After the winery visit, drive to Orheiul Vechi (approximately 1 hour), one of the most beautiful and important historical and archaeological sites in Moldova, a stunning natural and cultural complex located in a dramatic river valley, with its ancient cave monasteries carved into the limestone cliffs, the remains of ancient settlements, the beautiful Orthodox monastery, and the stunning scenery. Orheiul Vechi has a history dating back over 2,000 years, with evidence of human settlement from the Paleolithic period, through the Dacian and Roman periods, the medieval period, and the present day. Visit the famous cave monastery of Orheiul Vechi (carved into the limestone cliffs in the 13th century, with its church, cells, and the stunning views of the river valley), the Orthodox monastery (with its beautiful church and the stunning views), the archaeological sites (including the remains of the ancient city of Orheiul Vechi, with its fortifications, baths, and the various other structures), and the beautiful surrounding scenery. Visit the nearby village of Butuceni and enjoy the beautiful countryside. After lunch, visit the nearby Căpriana Monastery (approximately 30 minutes), one of the oldest and most beautiful monasteries in Moldova, founded in the 15th century, located in a beautiful forested valley, with its stunning Church of the Assumption (a beautiful medieval church with its stunning architecture and beautiful frescoes), the various monastic buildings, and the beautiful surroundings. Visit the monastery and the beautiful church, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Evening return to Chișinău. Dinner with Moldovan cuisine and wine. Overnight in Chișinău.

Day 3: Purcari Winery & Transnistria (Tiraspol)

Morning drive to the Purcari winery (approximately 1.5-2 hours south of Chișinău), one of the oldest and most famous wineries in Moldova, founded in 1827, with a long and prestigious history of producing high-quality wines that were once served at the courts of the Russian Tsars and the British Royal Family. The Purcari winery is located in the beautiful southern wine region of Moldova, with its vineyards on the rolling hills near the Black Sea lowlands, and is famous for its red wines including the famous Negru de Purcari (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Rară Neagră, and Saperavi, one of the most famous Moldovan wines) and its various other award-winning wines. Take a guided tour of the winery, visiting the vineyards, the wine cellars, the production facilities, and the museum of wine, learning about the history and wine-making tradition of Purcari. Enjoy a wine tasting of various Purcari wines, including their famous red wines and white wines, paired with local cheeses and snacks. After the winery visit, drive to Tiraspol (approximately 1.5-2 hours), the capital of Transnistria (officially the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, a breakaway region of Moldova that declared independence in 1990, although it is not recognized by the United Nations or most countries. Transnistria has its own government, currency (Transnistrian ruble), military, and police, and has a distinctly Soviet feel with its Lenin statues, Soviet-era architecture, and the famous hammer and sickle symbols). Explore Tiraspol: visit the main square (with its large Lenin statue, the House of Soviets, and the various government buildings), the Transnistrian Parliament building, the famous monument to the soldiers of the Transnistrian War, the various Soviet-era monuments and statues, the Tiraspol Market, and the various shops and restaurants. Visit the famous Kvint brandy factory (one of the most famous brandy producers in the region, with a long history of producing high-quality brandy, take a tour and enjoy a brandy tasting). Visit the nearby city of Bender (approximately 15 minutes from Tiraspol), with its famous Bender Fortress (a beautiful Ottoman-era fortress on the banks of the Dniester River, with its stunning architecture and the various museums and exhibits inside). Visit the fortress and the beautiful surrounding area. Evening return to Chișinău (approximately 1.5 hours). Farewell dinner with Moldovan cuisine and wine, reflecting on the incredible wine and cultural experiences of the trip. Overnight in Chișinău.

Day 4: Chișinău & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Chișinău or shopping for Moldovan products including wine, brandy, honey, crafts, textiles, and local products. Visit the Chișinău Central Market or the various wine shops for souvenirs. Visit the National Museum of History for a final look at the artifacts, or relax at a café. Visit the nearby village of Cricova or another local winery for a final wine tasting if time permits. Visit the beautiful parks and gardens of Chișinău for a final walk. After lunch, transfer to Chișinău International Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 4-day Moldova wine and culture tour of Cricova, Orheiul Vechi, and Purcari.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses