Wine Cellars & Monasteries

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185

About Tour

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The use of wine in ancient Near Eastern and Ancient Egyptian religious ceremonies was common. Libations often included wine, and the religious mysteries of Dionysus used wine as a sacramental entheogen to induce a mind-altering state.

The world's religions have had differing relationships with alcohol. Many religions forbid alcoholic consumption or see it as sinful or negative. In Christianity, wine is used in a sacred rite called the Eucharist, which originates in the Gospel account of the Last Supper (Gospel of Luke 22:19) describing Jesus sharing bread and wine with his disciples and commanding them to "do this in remembrance of me."

Christian views on alcohol are varied. Throughout the first 1,800 years of Church history, Christians generally consumed alcoholic beverages as a common part of everyday life and used "the fruit of the vine" in their central rite—the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. They held that both the Bible and Christian tradition taught that alcohol is a gift from God that makes life more joyous, but that over-indulgence leading to drunkenness is sinful or at least a vice.

Want to know what is the place of the wine in Moldova? Then travel with us!

1 ^st Day

Between cellars and monasteries

Included highlights:

Start the day with a visit to Curchi Monastery, a real pearl of our religious life. Here you’ll see several churches, and among them - the “Virgin’s Assumption” Cathedral, built by the drawings of genius architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Further drive to the Old Orhei reserve, the most picturesque and amazing site of Moldova. Here you will have the possibility to experience the real village life of Moldova and also photo shooting of local people/life.

Enjoy a visit to the Orthodox cave monastery called “St. Maria Dormata”, which was expanded and modified inside the cliffs by the monks over the centuries ago and preserved in a functional state. You’ll have excursion about this fascinating complex and then transfer back to Chisinau.

Next visit to the world famous Moldovan Cellars - Cricova, which is a real underground wine city 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.

What People Say

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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.

If you go to Moldova, for tourism or for business, you can't do it without Cristina. She knows the country perfectly, its history, its culture, its traditions... And she knows all its places: monasteries, churches, villages. Plus it speaks perfect Russian, Romanian and Italian and will let you communicate with all the people you meet.

Thanks, Cristina, for making this trip beautiful and unforgettable.

Dearest Viorica,

I really want to thank you enough for being the most amazing guide and introducing me to your tremendous country. What a priviledge it has been to travel back in time and catch the enduring presence of Moldovans through the centuries. I couldn’t imagine being transported through song and hear the love of family, hope & blessings being passed on. Family, food, friendship, sharing of thoughts and ideas connect us in real time and across time as well.

This may not have been a clear chosen career path bat I must say you excel at it!!! Your ability to be flexible and accommodating is beyond the norm! I totally loved the book you helped create and will use it to dig deeper and continue to learn more about this country.

The cooking, clothing weaving, embroidery, people have captured a part of my heart. The pictures we’ve taken will remind us of our time together for a lifetime & these stories you have shared will be retold and shared with many many others.

Thanks so much again,

Pat.