Stay : The essentials of Moldova
In one week, you need a route that covers the themes dear to Moldova, namely, wines, nature, museums, monasteries, without forgetting the moments of relaxation and leisure. Be careful to plan your travel time if you plan to travel by bus, as they are very slow, the following itinerary cannot be provided in seven days
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
7 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Where to stay - Chişinău ?
The map of your stay - Moldavie
Detail of the stay : The essentials of Moldova - 7 days
Day 1: Arrival at Chişinău
A walk to discover the city, starting by walking along Stefan cel Mare Boulevard, the main axis of the city (like all Moldovans). A simple cultural itinerary is available to you. Start by visiting the art Brancusicentre and get to know contemporary Moldovan painters and sculptors. On leaving, cross the boulevard via the underground shopping passages and continue towards the Unic shopping centre, take a walk for a change of scenery reminiscent of Soviet times. Continue on the boulevard, small terraces in retreat mark the route, just as many good excuses to have a drink, a coffee, a tea in the shade of the trees. When you reach McDonald's, continue straight ahead to the park and discover another perpendicular axis, that of Chisinau Cathedral, with its triumphal arch and magnificent bell tower, a neoclassical architectural ensemble in the centre of a French-style garden. Cross the park to the pedestrian street inaugurated in 2013, strada Eugen Doga (the only one in Chisinau and a great novelty for the city!). Walk back to Stefan cel Mare's monument on the other side of the boulevard of the same name. The national hero indicates the entrance to this other park. Here, the Alley of the Classics, a succession of busts, presents the greatest literary figures in the country. Then take 31 August 1989 parallel to Stefan cel Mare Boulevard, set back from Parliament (an imposing building of Soviet architecture) and for a moment of relaxation choose one of the many restaurants with a terrace. Come back on the main road and walk along the town hall of Chisinau to discover the civil architecture of the designer of Italian origin who had the greatest impact on the city, Bernardazzi. Eclectic buildings, with neo-Byzantine and Baroque elements, characterize this portion. Still on the boulevard, feel free to enter the Sala cu Orga and the National Theatre, two sumptuous buildings, and perhaps ask about the program. Between these two buildings takes place every day, except on Mondays, the craft market of local traditions, "Moldavian Montmartre". Take the opportunity to discover the country's know-how, woodwork, embroidery, paintings, and some "flea market" stands that sell antique objects from the Soviet era. Finally, continue down the boulevard to the junction with Ismail Boulevard to discover on your right the Ciuflea Cathedral, in the classic Russian style, with its golden bulb roofs. For a first day, you will have already walked well, knowing that in the meantime you may have quenched your thirst or eaten a Miko type ice cream bought on one of the many stands on the street, that you may have tasted the good seasonal fruits offered by the pretty babouchkas, or that you may have had fun weighing yourself in the street for 1 leu. So many small distractions that punctuate the route in a lively way and will certainly familiarize you with the Moldovan urban social landscape.
MONUMENT STEFAN CEL MARE / CATHÉDRALE DE LA NATIVITÉ / CENTRE D'EXPOSITION CONSTANTIN BRĂNCUŞI / CATHÉDRALE CIUFLEA / LE PARLEMENT MOLDAVE
Day 2: Chişinău in depth
Steps: Chişinău
Explore the parallel axes of Stefan cel Mare Boulevard, their colourful animations and other cultural explorations. We remind you that Chisinau is a city where people walk a lot, even if it is very crowded by public transport. Starting early with the Piata Centrala market, behind the Unic shopping centre, is a good opportunity to wake up "in style". This lively, bustling, noisy and lively market transports you into the popular Moldovan daily life. Take the opportunity to buy some seasonal fruit or enjoy a good fresh fruit juice. Exit Piata Centrala via Armeneasca Street and you will come across the Casa de reparatii building. Here, come and visit this establishment with its many outdated stands, most of which repair absolutely everything! If you read these lines before leaving, take with you any things you want to repair (bags, shoes, belts, watches, jewellery...), you will not be disappointed by the work, the speed and the price.
Return to Stefan cel Mare and then to 31 August 1989 for a visit to the National Museum of Archaeology and History. The building is an imposing neoclassical building with a succession of grandiose rooms illustrating the historical past of Moldova and its territory. This visit is a must, like that of the Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, in an oriental style building, very unusual for the city of Chisinau (Kogalniceanu street). The latter is certainly the most beautiful cultural establishment in the capital, it is full of treasures that mark and characterize the folklore and culture of the country, simply magnificent. On leaving, go up Sfatul Ţarii Street to Strada Alexei Mateevici and enter one of the capital's major parks, Valea Morilor Park. Wooded walks and a short boat ride on the lake will certainly be very enjoyable after the concentration and multitude of information from previous museums. If you are not too tired, when you leave the park, go to the city museum, located in an old water tower, and go up to the top floor, you will have a panoramic view of the whole city and its surroundings. Two days are not enough to get to know the Moldovan capital well, but you will get a glimpse of Moldovan culture, which will be a great introduction to understanding and discovering the rest of the country.
Day 3: North of Chişinău
Steps: Butuceni, Orhei, Orhei Vechi, Trebujeni, Curchi
Start by going to Curchi to discover the most beautiful and majestic monastery in the country. The site is composed of several recently restored buildings, you will be impressed by the richness of the 18th century interior and exterior architecture, with its baroque appearance. Then choose to return to Orhei for one of the most prestigious wine factories, Château Vartely. It would be a pity not to combine the visit with a lunch at the restaurant whose bay windows embrace the green and hilly valley known as the "Moldavian Switzerland". You will combine here the excellent local cuisine and the best wines. Even if it is time, you will not be disappointed to have resisted the nap to leave just after your good lunch on the splendid site of Orhei Vechi, an open-air archaeological complex that takes place in a natural circus defined by the sinuous curves of the Raut River, a tributary of the Dniestr. Geto-daces sites, Roman, Turkish fortresses and rock monasteries certainly make this visit one of the most memorable. In the evening, you can choose to return to Chisinau, but it is better to stay overnight in one of the many agrotourism pensions in the very picturesque villages of Butuceni or Trebujeni, just outside the archaeological site. You will enter the Moldovans who will do their best to leave you with an unforgettable memory of your visit. Houses very nicely decorated, quality local cuisine with fresh produce from the garden and wine, local too. A good evening in perspective, and certainly a good night's rest in the well-deserved countryside.
Day 4: Departure for Soroca
Steps: Orhei, Cosăuti, Soroca, Zastînca
In northern Moldova, 125 kilometres from Orhei, it is still a 3-hour drive, but you have to see this amazing city. Upon arrival, plan to spend the night in Soroca and choose Hotel Central. Drop off your belongings and set off to discover the medieval fortress of Soroca. Dating from the 15th century, it was part of a defensive belt chain with four other fortresses. Apart from the one in Tighina in Transnistria, it is the only one that has remained almost intact, especially since the interior and roof were recently restored in 2015. On the banks of the Dniestr, on the high passageways of the beautiful and imposing fortress, you overlook the whole city and the river valley. Then, an original little tour awaits you, with the discovery of the Gypsy hill, its delirious houses, and the promontory of the Candle of Gratitude which dominates the whole region. From Soroca, head to the stone-cutters' village of Cosauti and visit its pretty monastery on the shores of a lake. Do not hesitate to stop for a break in the many stone-cutting workshops on the side of the road to discover the ancestral know-how of this region, thanks to this beautiful white stone which is predominant here. For this reason, Chisinau is called the "white city" because the stones that were used to build most of the buildings come from the region. Back at the hotel, it may be time to enjoy a good moment of relaxation in the beautiful sauna and recover from a busy day. To help you in your journey in Soroca, you can contact the manager of the Central Hotel, Sergiu (he speaks English), he will know how to organize everything.
FORTERESSE DE SOROCA
Day 5: Discovery for the region of Bălţi, the "capital of the north"
Steps: Bălți, Cobani, Glodeni, Soroca
Take the road from Soroca to Cobani at the border with Romania. For an immersion in nature, here is an interesting route in one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the country, which will take you on the Hundred Hills Road, in an ornithological reserve and even a bison farm. You are in Padurea Domneasca (huge!), beware of the routes, because you can access it through different villages, it takes a little time. You can also plan a small picnic, this fabulous site allows it. There are two options: either you enjoy a full day of nature, to end up in one of the agrotourism pensions in Glodeni and be pampered by your Moldovan hosts, or you reduce your time in the reserve, and you have time to return in the afternoon to Bălti to visit the ethnographic museum. In this case, plan to sleep in one of the hotels of Bălti, this rather lively city has some remarkable monuments of civil architecture and religious buildings such as Constantine Cathedral Şi Elena and the church Sfantul Nicolae, among others. Many bars and restaurants are located in the city centre. From here, if you have more time, don't forget that you are only an hour and a half drive from Iasi, Romania. Always remember to book in hotels, but especially in pensions in advance, it is more prudent to ensure the night you have chosen.
Day 6: Călăraşi region for its fabulous monasteries
Steps: Răciula, Hîrbovat, Hîrjauca, Palanca, Vadul Lui Vodă, Cricova, Mileștii Mici
Discover the monasteries of Harjauca and Hirbovat, or the sanatorium Codru with its beneficial waters. For a less "monastic" itinerary, choose the two museums such as Casa Parinteasca (House of Parents in Palanca) and/or Casa Mieri (House of Honey) in Raciula. These places plunge you into the heart of Moldovan traditions, their universe, and various craftsmanship. As you head back to the capital, the wine route here presents its remarkable factories: you will have a choice, depending on the time you have available, because they are of different sizes. Among the most prestigious, the sublime Cricova or the immense Mileatii Mici. Attention, here again it will be necessary to have booked in advance, the visits are very busy every hour of the day (count 45 minutes of visit). Finally, push your way to Vadul lui Voda, 20 kilometres east of Chisinau, and stay overnight in one of the many hotels or holiday camps immersed in nature. The dozens of establishments offer product ranges from the very simple Soviet rustic camp to luxury facilities.
Day 7: Vadul seaside resort Vodă
Spend your last day relaxing in Vadul lui Vodă, the only seaside resort in the country. Here again, there are two options: you can relax by a beautiful swimming pool in a luxury complex in the heart of nature, or, if you are more party-loving, embark on an evening of immersion in this popular resort by sharing grills, beers, local wine and the summer atmosphere with the Moldovans. The night will be long and intoxicating with noises and techno music.
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