Music Festival in Moldova - Martisor

About Tour

Spring is the most expected season in Moldova. Coming of the spring is accompanied by celebration - “Martisor”. This celebration starts on March,1 when people give to each other little red & white mascots. The name of martisor derives from “Martie”, translated as “March” from Romanian.

People put these little mascots to their clothes for the whole month. On the 31st of March the martisors are taken away and tied to the blossoming fruit trees. Martisors are believed to bring happiness and success for the whole year. Moldova celebrates Martisor annually not only by wearing those little mascots but also by the international music festival “Martisor” held during 01-10 March.

1 st Day

The festival opening

March 01 st , 2021

Included highlights:

  • Meet your local guide and driver at the airport of Chisinau.
  • Check-in.
  • Visit to the Museum of Natural History and Ethnography,
  • 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, etc.
  • The great opening of the International Music Festival “Martisor”.

Optional highlights:

  • Lunch/dinner in the local restaurant specialized in traditional Moldovan cuisine.

Included meals:
  • Lunch or dinner
2 nd Day

The 2nd day of the International Music Festival “Martisor”

March 02 nd , 2021

Included highlights:

  • Visit Orheiul Vechi (Cave Monastery) which is "arguably Moldova's most fantastic sight".
  • See an Orthodox cave monastery called “St. Maria Dormata” 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
  • Visit the Curchi monastery, the real pearl of our religious life. Here you’ll see some churches, and the “Virgin’s Assumption” Cathedral, built by the drawings of genius architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
  • Return to Chisinau.
  • In the evening - the 2nd day of the International Music Festival “Martisor”.

Optional highlights:

  • Have lunch with folk program in the Moldovan family’ pension located in the neighborhood village.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
3 rd Day

The 3rd day of the International Music Festival “Martisor”

March 03 rd , 2021

Included highlights:

  • Start to Purcari winery, located in the South-Eastern part of Moldova. You’ll be impressed by the combination of the chateau’s royal-like interiors and HI-Tech.
  • Excursion, wine tasting and lunch.
  • Return to Chisinau.
  • In the evening - the 3rd day of the International Music Festival “Martisor”.

Included meals:
  • Breakfast
  • Wine tasting
  • Lunch

What People Say

More reviews ›

Victoria, Just a short note to say thank you very much for everything on Sunday. Despite the long and tiring journey caused by the road closure in Ukraine, we thoroughly enjoyed our day, and learned so much about Moldova, Transnistria and Ukraine. We particularly enjoyed discovering Tiraspol, as it's such an unusual place and gave us a glimpse of how life was under the former Soviet regime. Because British history is relatively simple, with few invasions and no changes of borders, we struggle to understand the complexities of European history. 

We were very impressed with your understanding - and with your excellent English language skills in explaining it all to us. It certainly brought to life our visit to your country. I hope your journey back home was a little easier than the one to Odessa. Please give our thanks to our driver on the day - I'm afraid we do not recall his name but we appreciated all he did to negotiate the way through the border crossings for us and to get us to Odessa as quickly as he did despite the obstacles. Good luck for future success in your career. If you are ever in England and are able to visit our area, do not hesitate to give us a call. We could show you the historic city of Winchester and the busy port and waterside areas of Portsmouth, which I'm sure you would find interesting. Thanks again for everything.

Dear Victoria,

Please accept the endosed as a token of my thanks and appreciation. I have been lucky enough, over the years, to have traveled to many destinations, and to have experienced every sort of guide. In my opinion you are right at the top, one of the select very few who manage to “get it just right”.

Like any skilled job, guiding is something that, when done well, it looks easy! You and I know that is not the case; it’s a tough, demanding profession that few individuals do adequately, and even fewer, well. Hardly any do such a great job that their clients feel cared for, safe, valued and special. You, in my view, are one of those rare tour leaders.

Please, accept my small token of gratitude. You have been kind, lightful, knowlageble (extremly), considerate, tolerant, efficient, reliable… I could go on, but to spare your blushes I will end by saying I cannot find a single criticism (this is a rare thing for me – I have very high standards!).

Your company depends for its success on your delivering what they promised. You have done professionaly this with a smile, a sense of humor, and grate dignity.

I wish you all the luck in the world for the future & thank you for leaving me with not only happy memories but with a positive impression of Moldova.

With very best wishes, Veronica.

Dear Victoria!

There are not enough adjectives in the world to describe adeguately the experience of doing a visit with you! You certainly have enhanced my appreciation of your country. I learnt a lot from you on many different levels. Your organizational skills are extraordinary and Explore will definitely receive extremely positive feedback. We were very lucky to have you with us during this short trip.

Thank you once again for all you did so beautifully with grace, humor and smile. I wish you all and only the very best for now and for the future.