Independence Day in Transnistria Group Tour

About Tour

How about celebrating the Independence Day of a non-existing country? Strange, isn’t it? Strange but possible… Transnistria is a breakaway part of Republic Of Moldova, who has all the necessary things to be a country (government, local currency, National Bank, local car license plates for the cars, flag, police, army, etc.) but except one thing….it is not recognized by nobody except... South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Nagorno Karabagh, all sister “countries” being in the same situation. And like any normal country they have a National Day, and they celebrate it! So, let’s go and see how they celebrate, meet locals and talk to them, visit their capital Tiraspol, understand their religion - Russian orthodox, see their country, history and see for yourself how they live and what they have to offer.

An unrecognized country celebrates its independence - Transnistria!

1 st Day

Welcome to Moldova

August 30 st , 2021

Included highlights:

You’ll meet your local guide and driver at the airport. Check in at a 4* Hotel and free time. Independent dinner as guests will arrive with different flights.

 

2 nd Day

Chisinau – Tiraspol

September 01 nd , 2021

Included highlights:

After breakfast we shall visit the Military Museum from Chisinau and learn about the fate of this country during the Second World War and about its Soviet Heritage. Next continue to Transnistria and after crossing the border we shall stop in a local village for a special lunch in a family-run Guesthouse. They will share with us their problems living in an unrecognized country and how frustrating is not being able to speak their native language. We will continue with a visit to Aquatir, a large sturgeon-breeding and black caviar-processing industrial complex. Late afternoon arrival in Tiraspol and city tour. Check in - 4 * hotel from Tiraspol or Bender. Independent dinner.

 

Transnistria - is a breakaway territory within the internationally recognized borders of Moldova. Although not recognized by any state or international organization, it is de facto an independent state named the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. The country’s national coat of arms still includes the traditional hammer and sickle and the Lenin statue hasn’t yet been pulled down. The Pridnestrovie today may still retain the look of a Communist state and it’s called “the last remaining Stalinist dictatorship in Europe”.

 

Included meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
3 rd Day

Enjoying the parade in Tiraspol – Chateau Vartely

September 02 rd , 2021

Included highlights:

Today we invite you to participate in the parade, admire the festivities organized for the independence Day and enjoy this unique atmosphere. After the parade - some free time for lunch, to meet local people and interact with them.  We advise you to try diferent kind of dishes and sweets freshly cooked in the market.

Later in the afternoon, we shall do a Treasure Hunt – but because we are in Transnistria, off course, the main treasure will be the Lenin Statues that they inherited from the Soviet time. We will drive towards the north, along the Dniester River. You will be amazed about the communist monuments still to be seen in villages and small towns like Grigoriopol and Dubasari. Going back to Moldova and drive to Chateau Vartely where we will also overnight. Wine tasting and dinner. Chateau Vartely is one of Moldova’s newest wineries. They produce a range of fine wines that have obtained a considerable amount of appreciators all over the world.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
4 th Day

Chisinau – Calarasi area

August 31 th , 2021

Included highlights:

After breakfast you’ll have a city tour about the capital of Moldova – 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.

For lunch we will drive to "Casa Parinteasca" Craft Centre from Palanca village, where you will also discover the Moldovan traditional costumes and ethnographic customs. Traditional dishes will be served with the best local wine, while the organic herbal tea, accompanied by homemade jams will surprise you with their amazing taste. Next, we will visit the Honey Museum from Raciula, learn about the life of bees, taste different kind of honey and other honey products. Back to Chisinau. Same accommodation.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
5 th Day

The religios and rural paradise

September 03 th , 2021

Included highlights:

After breakfast let’s stop at Curchi Monastery, a real pearl of our religious life. Here you’ll visit some churches, and among them - the “Virgin’s Assumption” Cathedral, built by the drawings of genius architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Next to Old Orhei, Moldova’s most picturesque and fantastic historical site. Old Orhei is famous for the cave monasteries located there. This zone was ideal for the primary monasticism of early Christian community. It was isolated from the outer world. At the time when Christians came here there should have been smaller and bigger caves in the calcareous rocks cut by pre-historic tribes living on this territory. Traditional lunch in Trebujeni village and further drive to the world famous Moldovan Underground Wine City - Cricova, 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. Excursion in the underground winery and arrival in Chisinau. Check-in in a 4* Hotel, and farewell dinner in a local wine bar specialized in promoting quality Moldovan wines made by small producers.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
6 th Day

Chisinau and departure home

September 04 th , 2021

Included highlights:

If time allows we shall visit more soviet sights of Chisinau, pay a visit to the Lenin Statue that is kept nowadays in a local park etc. Transfer to the airport. Departure back home.

Prices and services:

All services as mentioned in the program

MiniVan with A/C

Professional English speaking guide at your all days

 

Partner Price:

Price in double room/twin:       650  Eur

Single supplement:                    170 Eur

Included meals:
  • Breakfast

What People Say

More reviews ›

Hello Victoria, Thank you again so much for the tours last week! I had a lot of fun, and you are an excellent guide. Orheiul Vechi was really beautiful, and some of the photos came out very nice. I also really liked Chateau Vartely, so thank you for coming up with the idea to visit there. 

Tiraspol was quite interesting and bizarre, and I'm glad we went, even with the cold and rain. The Kvint distillery was very good. I had to resist finishing the whole bottle. I hope I'll be able to visit Moldova again sometime before too long. I will also let you know whenever I come to Romania.

Dear Victoria!

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and taste of the Romanian and Moldavian wines. I was amazed by the diversity of the wines and the regions they come from. The trip to Romania and travel to Moldova was both fun and educational. Not only did I learn about the wines, but about the countries as well. Romania and the Republic of Moldova are defiantly countries that more people should experience. The services provided were outstanding. 

The little extra's they added to the tour made all the difference and our tour guide Victoria was the best! The highlight for me was the Vinia Winery from Iasi. The trip by horse cart to the vineyard, picking out own grapes, making our own juice, enjoying the tranquility of the land and listening to the gypsy band was an experience of a lifetime. 

Hello Victoria! You are a great guide and the Republic of Moldova is a great country. 

Your knowledge, enthusiasm and thoroughness were very impressive; for anyone planning a holiday to Moldova, or neighbouring Romania & Ukraine (all very interesting countries) this is the tour guide to go with.