Moldova / Transnistria Independence Day

2024

Tour itinerary can be seen below.

1 29/08/2024

Bucharest, Romania

• Meet at Bucharest train station, ready for departure, at 19:15. Our group will separate into four berth cabins.

• Relax for the evening with a few beers from the drinks carriage.

• Our passports will be checked at the border as we exit the EU, and the train will also stop for a few hours while the wheels are changed—railway tracks in former Soviet states are a different size.

Day 0 photo 1

2 30/08/2024

Orhei Vechi

• Arrive in Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, at 08:55.

• Check into our hotel and rest for a couple of hours before heading to Orhei Vechi, Moldova’s most important historical site. We will see picturesque villages, archaeological sites, hills, and valleys along the way. Orhei Vechi is a monastery carved into the cliff by Orthodox monks in the 18th Century; even today, a sole monk inhabits it.

• Return to Chisinau in the late afternoon, and take the evening at leisure—an excellent chance to check out the city’s restaurants and bars. There may also be a chance to visit the casino in the hotel's basement.

Day 1 photo 1

3 31/08/2024

Cricova winery

• In the morning we will take walking tour of the capital.

• Tour the Cricova underground wine city in the afternoon. Cricova is the second-largest wine cellar in the world. The tunnels were dug into limestone back in the 15th Century. It was converted into vast wine cellars in the 1950s, stretching out over a massive 120 kilometres.

• Have a traditional Moldovan meal in Cricova, followed by a wine tasting.

• Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the evening relaxing.

Day 2 photo 1

4 01/09/2024

Tiraspol, Transnistria

• Depart in the morning for the self-declared Republic of Transnistria.

• Pass through border control and collect our visa papers before touring the Soviet architecture in Bendery.

• Enjoy a Soviet-style lunch with your comrades before heading onto the Transnistrian capital, Tiraspol.

• Ride an old Soviet trolley bus, walk around the markets, and take a tour of the city’s Soviet monuments.

• Check into our hotel later and spend the evening at leisure.

Day 3 photo 1

5 02/09/2024

Independence Day celebrations

• Head out in the morning to watch the Independence Day parade before taking another tour of Tiraspol in the afternoon. Prepare to soak in the festive atmosphere of Independence Day, one of Transnistria’s most important national holidays.

Day 4 photo 1

6 03/09/2024

Chisinau, Moldova

• Eat breakfast, then return to Chisinau.

• Have lunch in Chisinau before our 16:35 train departure to Romania.

Day 5 photo 1

7 04/09/2024

Bucharest, Romania

• Arrive in Bucharest at 06:15, where the tour will end.

Please note:

For those wishing to fly in and out of Chisinau, there will be a £50 reduction in tour price.

Details

Includes:
  • - Return train tickets Bucharest - Chisinau second class 4-berth cabin
  • - Three star hotel accommodation in Chisinau and Tiraspol
  • - Tours, entry fees and English speaking guides
  • - All ground transport
  • - Meals and wine during Cricova tour
Excludes:
  • - International airfare to Romania
  • - Personal insurance
  • - Most meals
  • - Single supplement (£170 - we can allocate another sole traveller to share with if required, subject to availability)
  • - Airport transfer
Prices:
  • Tour Price: £685
  • Deposit: £250
  • Single Room Supplement: £170
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