Back in the USSR

About Tour

Constitutionally, the USSR was a federation of constituent Union Republics, which were either unitary states, or federations, who signed the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR in December 1922, and existed till 1991. 

The Soviet Union became the first country to adopt a command economy, whereby production and distribution of goods were centralized and directed by the government. 

Until its dissolution in late 1991, the way the Soviet economy operated remained essentially unchanged. The economy was formally directed by central planning, carried out by Gosplan and organized in five-year plans. 

The education system was highly centralized and universally accessible to all citizens. 

Health care was to be controlled by the state and would be provided to its citizens free of charge, a revolutionary concept at the time.  

As the most widely spoken of the Soviet Union's many languages, Russian de facto functioned as an official language, as the "language of interethnic communication", but only assumed the de jure status as the official national language in 1990. 

Being Communist, the Soviet Union was officially atheist. Nevertheless, many citizens engaged in religious practices, some secretly. 

The culture of the Soviet Union passed through several stages during the USSR's existence. During the first decade following the revolution, there was relative freedom and artists experimented with several different styles to find a distinctive Soviet style of art. Lenin wanted art to be accessible to the Russian people. On the other hand, hundreds of intellectuals, writers, and artists were exiled or executed, and their work banned. 

 

1 st Day

Back in the USSR

Included highlights:

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. The country’s national coat of arms still includes the traditional hammer and sickle and the Lenin statue hasn’t yet been pulled down. This communist state is called “the last remaining Stalinist dictatorship in Europe”. 

First stop – at Bender Fortress. In 1713, the fortress, the town, and the neighboring village Varniţa were the site of skirmishes (kalabalik) between Charles XII of Sweden, who had taken refuge there with the Cossack Hetman Ivan Mazepa after his defeat in the Battle of Poltava. 

City tour of Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria and traditional ukrainian lunch.

 

Optional highlights:

On the way back to Chisinau, stop to Noul Neamt for a tour of the monastery. 

Kvint could be added as optional for groups minimum 5 people. 

Included meals:
  • Lunch

What People Say

More reviews ›

This trip has exceeded my expectations due mostly to your thoughtful guidance and warmth. 

Thank you for sharing yout knowledge and passion about your wonderful country and for treating us like family. 

What a wonderful holiday. Everything was well organised and went well.

The guide, Cristina, was excellent, good English and very knowledgeable and keen that we should see every cultural and characteristic aspect of Moldova.

The visit to the Roma "family" was fascinating-not a "family" visit but a meeting with the Roma head of family in his huge house ornate and wealthy and we had a delicious home make cherry juice and had a question and answer session with him. He,Robert, is a relative of the Roma king; This was very informative as I am very interested in everyone and everything but tourists need to be interested in the Roma people and way of life otherwise input wouldn't be so fascinating!!

The visit to the "old believers" village was just great-tea from a samovar and cakes and a very pleasant woman the librarian and museum custodian.

In Gaugazia we met the Museum curator and again a fascinating insight into Gaugazian history.

Much of our enjoyment and insights was enhances by Cristina who translated everything so well.

The visits to the wineries were an eye opener and the wine tasting too. I recommend tourists who go to the Cricova winery to to wear warm clothes and a scarf as we go deep down into the underground "city" to see the stored wine.

We loved the food (and all the wine).

Hi, Natalia! I contact you in order to thank you for your help, guidance & company while i was in your country. I will have to say, i did particularly love being with you, on those 2 trips i made. If you don’t mind me saying so, i think you are a lovely & charming person, and it was a great pleasure for me to meet you.