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G Adventures
OFFER ID 1688198
Moldova Discovery
Tucked between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets — but not for long. Over seven days, you’ll explore the capital of Chi?inau, taste your way through world-class wineries, and connect with locals keeping centuries-old traditions alive. Whether you’re learning to make cheese pie with a welcoming Moldovan family or immersing yourself in traditional culture in the Gaugazia region, this trip is full of moments that feel personal, unexpected, and unforgettable.
Highlights
Take a guided walking tour of Moldova’s capital city, Visit Cricova winery for a tour of the underground cellars and taste some of the wines, Visit a local cheese factory in a small village and learn how they support their community, Be immersed in traditional culture in Moldova's Gaugazia region.
Accomodation
It is important to note that accommodation in Europe tend to be quite different to other areas of the world you may have travelled in. Buildings and rooms are generally old and may not have been renovated or maintained to the highest standard. Downtown hotels in Europe were not build to be hotels but rich owners houses, which have been changed into hotels. Therefore unusual room sizes are common as large rooms have been partitioned in the past, resulting in rather "thin" walls. Reception areas, rooms and bathrooms tend to be very small as they were often added into an existing room, and may have a hand nozzle rather than a conventional shower head. In one or two locations we use accommodation with shared bathrooms.
Staff can occasionally demonstrate less than perfect customer service. As accommodation is in short supply, especially during the summer months, hotels can charge a premium and there is sometimes little motivation to improve facilities.
On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included
6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Fromage - Made in Moldova, Rezina
Your Foodie Moment: Cooking class in Trebujeni - Green Villa, Trebujeni
Your Local Living Moment: Gagauz Sofrasi Meal and Experience, Congaz.
Chisinau orientation walk. Guided walking tour of Chisinau. Cricova Winery tour and tasting. Saharna Monastery visit. 'Fromage - Made in Moldova' project visit and light lunch. Orheiul Vechi Hike. Trebujeni cooking class. Guided National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum visit with cultural presentation. Comrat winery tour and tasting. Gagauz Sofrasi cultural and culinary complex visit with dinner. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

6 nights from $1,359 per person
G Adventures: Moldova Discovery
Day 1: Chisinau
Arrive at any time. After an evening welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on a orientation walk to get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.
Day 2: Chisinau
Set out this morning with a local guide on a walking tour of Chisinau. Pass by some of the city's main sights and historical landmarks like the Parliament building and gaze at the beautiful architecture of the City Hall and St. Pantelimon Church. In the afternoon, visit Cricova Winery for a tour of the underground wine cellars and enjoy a tasting of some of the wines Moldova is famous for. Return to Chisinau for a free evening and optional dinner out with the group.
Day 3: Chisinau/Butuceni
This morning, depart Chisinau for the North of Moldova. Stop at the Monastery of Saharna, a picturesque complex where you can relax in the shadow of a cascading waterfall, paired with ancient relics and deep history. Next, transfer to a local cheese factory in a small village for a light lunch sampling fresh cheeses, jams and wine. Learn how the initiative serves to support the community by providing employment and preserving Moldovan traditions. Continue to Butuceni Village for the evening.
Day 4: Butuceni
This morning enjoy some light hiking to Orheiul Vechi, an area of natural beauty shaped by the river Raut as it cuts into the rocky hills of central Moldova. In medieval times, the river Raut served as a travel route for merchants from as far away as Greece. After free time in the village, join a cooking class at an agro-pension in Trebujeni, then stroll back to the eco resort in Butuceni. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon free to explore or relax.
Day 5: Butuceni/Congaz
Embark on a day of cultural immersion into the Gaugazia region of Moldova. Start at the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum and learn of the local wedding traditions with an interactive presentation. Continue on to Comrat for a winery tour and tasting, then visit Gagauz Sofrasi, a cultural and culinary complex where you'll learn about local traditions and indulge in a traditional Gagauz feast, featuring locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted wines.
Day 6: Congaz/Chisinau
Wave goodbye to Congaz this morning and depart for the drive back to Chisinau. The remainder of the day is free to explore Moldova's capital city before regrouping in the evening for an optional final dinner out with the group.
Day 7: Chisinau
Depart at any time.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
35 Old South Road
Nantucket, MA 02554
USA
(508) 228-3201