Summary
Enjoy this Gourmet Tour in Moldova including Brandy and Chocolate Pairing (8 days) and let yourself discover the tasty traditional dishes from Moldovan cuisine. You will learn how to prepare such traditional dishes as “placinte” (pies), “sarmale” and local dish “placinta miresei” (bride’s pie) during culinary masterclasses. You will enjoy a wine tasting at Asconi and Karagani wineries together with delicious dishes and you will discover Cricova winery – one of the largest wine cellars in the world (120 km). You will be acquainted with the taste of 10-30 years old spirits at Kvint wine and brandy factory while pairing brandy with chocolate products, as they make a perfect combination. While visiting Castel Mimi you will be amazed by the beauty of the castle, which is currently listed among the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world of wine. At Castel Mimi you will taste delicious wines and have dinner at its restaurant that will culminate with “baba neagra” - a local dessert of Moldovan cuisine representing a cake garnished with vanilla cooked in some regions of the country.
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Alina
Local travel expert in Moldova
I am a representative of a local tour operator in Moldova that has over 10 years experience in the organization of travel. I mainly specialize in wine, gastronomic and cultural tours around Moldova.
Itinerary
On arrival at Chisinau International Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Chisinau. After settling in, you can have a walk through downtown and explore the city centre on your own.
In the evening you will have dinner at La Taifas traditional restaurant in Chisinau. During dinner at the restaurant, you will be enveloped in the traditional atmosphere, created by the traditional style of the restaurant, the traditional dishes and of course the traditional live music show – the special flavor of the restaurant.
The day will begin with Chisinau city tour. Chisinau is the main administrative, scientific and cultural centre of Moldova. During the tour, you will discover pieces of history and culture of the city such as the Nativity of Christ Cathedral, the Bell Tower, the Arch of Triumph, the Monument of Stephen the Great, etc.
Next, you will visit the Eco Local Farmers' Market where you will have the opportunity to try and buy high-quality biological products directly from local farmers and producers such as nuts, almonds, honey, greens of various kinds, fruits and vegetables grown in the most ecological conditions.
You will have lunch at the restaurant Complement whose chef, along with the freshest ingredients, each time draws on the plate edible pictures preparing dishes such as duck breast Magret with berry sauce.
After lunch, you will visit Bucuria shop - Moldova's national more chocolate factory shop that offers a variety of sweets from candies, chocolate, marmalade, jellies, etc. Also, you will visit Casa Cristea Showroom where you will discover the genuine national costume.
The last stop of the day will be at Asconi winery founded in 1994 and located in Puhoi village. This is a family-owned winery, whose foundation is a long-standing tradition and experience in the production of Moldovan wine. The winery achieved a lot due to modern wine making technologies. Nowadays at Asconi estate European varieties are grown, but special attention is paid to indigenous varieties such as Rara Neagra, Feteasca, etc. One of the features of Asconi winery is that they pick up the grapes mechanically at night when the grapes are still cold. During the excursion and wine tasting at the winery you will be able to discover the wonders of this place. Asconi is famous for its most delicate stewed rabbit served with vegetables from the fire and during dinner, you will be able to taste this fabulous dish.
In the morning, you will set off on a time travel to Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) to see a natural amphitheater revealing a territory which was first inhabited 40 000 years ago. The Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi includes a series of historical and cultural monuments as well as natural landscapes in the gorge of the Raut River. Ancient fortifications, cave monasteries, monks and hermits – here you can follow the history of this region. The originality of Orheiul Vechi landscape is due to the gorge of the Raut River, dug under the form of a canyon in the limestone layers of the former Sarmatian Sea, about 14 million years ago. This region is famous for its natural, rustic food and endless hospitality. In every home, you will be welcomed as the dearest guest.
The day will continue at Butuceni guesthouse, where you will enjoy a culinary masterclass during which you will learn more how to cook traditional “placinte” (pies) with sour cherries and roll-ups with rose petal jam. At lunch you will taste traditional Moldovan dishes such as “zeama” (chicken soup with homemade egg noodles), “mamaliga” and Moldovan sweet roll-ups which melt in the mouth.
Next, you will discover Cricova winery – the only wine enterprise that was awarded the highest state prize “The Order of the Republic” and has been declared by law a national cultural heritage. During the excursion at Cricova winery in the tourist train, at a depth of 80 m, you will discover the wonders of this place. Cricova underground galleries are formed by over seventy streets covering an area of nearly 120 km, each bearing Bacchic names: Sauvignon, Cabernet, Cahors, etc. The jewel of the underground treasure is the National Collection, including over 600 types of wine totalling about 1 million bottles. Here you will admire the oldest bottle of wine - "Jewish Easter Wine", dating from 1902. You will also visit the unique production of sparkling wine, where a professional guide will tell you about all the process of producing sparkling wines using the famous French-style Méthode Champenoise. In one of the tasting rooms, the sommelier will explain the rules of wine tasting and help you better reveal the taste and bouquet of each type of wine.
You will have dinner at the restaurant Gastrobar, where you will taste the best ribs in Jack Daniels sauce in the city.
The day will begin with the visit of “Arta Rustica” handicraft complex in Clisova Noua village. The handmade carpets in Clisova Noua are of amazing interest and beauty. The traditional Moldovan carpets have been included in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage. The creation of only one canvas takes several months. Every carpet is a work of art. The craftsmen of Clisova Noua village put their whole soul and free time into their craft. They restore unique carpets according to old photographs. They use only natural materials and authentic technique during the weaving process.
Then, you will travel to Lalova village where you will visit Hanul lui Hanganu guesthouse and have a culinary masterclass on cooking traditional Moldovan “sarmale” - vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and vegetables. The particularity of “sarmale” made here consists in the fact that they are very small more and you will surely have a nice experience preparing them. Hanul lui Hanganu guesthouse is the perfect choice for a quiet and full of emotions stay. Here, you will surely fall in love with some of the most popular dishes in Moldova. During lunch, you will discover the taste of delicious dishes cooked following a recipe containing secrets passed down from generation to generation.
After lunch, you will visit Tipova Cave Monastery. Located near Tipova village, the monastery with the same name is considered one of the oldest monastic establishments on the territory of Moldova. The heritage, which consists of 18 rooms, dug into the rock at an astounding altitude, represents an impressive museum in the open air. The Tipova River, on its flow to the Dniester, creates many waterfalls with the height above 10-16 meters, which a long time ago used to move the millstones of the numerous watermills.
After visiting Tipova Cave Monastery, you will return to Chisinau, where you will have dinner at Pegas restaurant – known for its popular dish crispy gilt-head bream with spinach.
In the morning, you will set off on a time travel in Transnistria. While in Tiraspol, you will discover a real treasure – Aquatir Sturgeon Complex, one of the largest hatcheries in Europe. The complex is equipped with the latest technologies and the fish can reach the size of a man. You will get the chance to taste one of the most expensive culinary delights – caviar accompanied with a glass of sparkling wine or vodka.
In the afternoon, you will have lunch at a restaurant in Tiraspol.
During the city tour in Tiraspol, you will discover Vladimir Lenin’s monument and the tank left from the Second World War. The city seems to be a vestige of the Soviet past. Nevertheless, you will be amazed by the contrasts, one of which is the football complex „Sheriff” - a pearl of contemporary architecture.
Next, you will visit Kvint wine and brandy factory where harmony, refinement more and tradition underlie the oldest and most genuine spirits. Here you will be acquainted with the taste of 10-30 years old spirits such as Surprise, Tiraspol, Kvint Solnechny, Victoria and Jubilee. Chocolate products will accompany the brandy tasting, as they make a perfect combination. For each brandy type, the guests will be offered different types of chocolate, and a professional sommelier and specialist in quality of Kvint factory will lead the delicate process.
In the evening, you will have dinner at Vatra Neamului restaurant in Chisinau, during which you will taste a delicious traditional dessert – dried prunes with nuts and whipped cream.
You will start the day by travelling to Comrat where you will enjoy a city tour. Comrat is the capital of the autonomous region of Gagauzia, located in southwest Moldova. This is a very interesting territory since the majority of its habitants are Gagauzians. These are the only representatives of Turkic origin that affiliated with the Eastern Orthodox Church. Gagauzians migrated from Bulgaria together with ethnic Bulgarians and settled in Moldova in 19th century. You will see such attractions as the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Museum of Gagauz Culture, Gagauz Art Gallery, Gagauz National University and Alley of Gagauz Glory.
The day will continue at Karagani winery – a family winery with a specific emphasis on the Gagauz origins of the Cerven family, who owns the company. Located in Vulcanesti, in the southern part of Moldova, this small family enterprise is engaged in grape cultivation more and wine production. Karagani wines are produced by original technology from selected grapes of European and national varieties, grown on its own vineyards. On this land, you will discover the tastes of Karagani wines and the specificity of Gagauz cuisine, while tasting Gagauz dishes such as gozleme, bulgur with lamb, shorpa, etc.
After lunch, you will visit the National Gagauz Museum of History and Ethnography “D. Cara-Ciobanu” in Besalma village. The museum presents the history, culture and everyday life of the Gagauz people from ancient times until nowadays. One of the personalities of this small nation was the writer D. Cara-Ciobanu, who spent his life promoting this culture. He founded this museum, which features more than 6,000 exhibits, including works by famous writers, poets and famous artists in Gagauzia. One of the most valuable item in the museum is the collection of original films produced during the Gagauz colonization of the steppe of Bugeac.
After the excursion at the museum, you will return to Chisinau, where you will have dinner at La Sarkis restaurant.
In the morning, you will visit Et Cetera family winery and take part in the excursion and wine tasting carried out by the owner of the winery who will inform you about the methods of wine production and maturation. Each family member has a role in the work of this winery, maintaining the quality and taste of the wine, and doing everything so that this winery remains a hospitable, warm home for every visitor. Here you will enjoy tasting the young wine directly from the tank where it is stored. After the wine tasting, you will learn how to prepare a special kind of “placinta” – “Placinta Miresei” (Bride’s pie). This is an old tradition passed from generation to generation in the southern region, the Bride’s Pie being prepared and served at the main family holidays.
You will have lunch at Mester Faur guesthouse – a perfect solution for all nature lovers. The guesthouse has a more bungalow made of wood, covered with reed, which surprises with its construction. Here you will taste a delicious fish soup prepared from 5 types of fish.
Next stop will be at Castel Mimi winery located in Bulboaca village - a destination of interest unique in Moldova. Castel Mimi is currently listed among the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in the world of wine. The story of the castle begins at the end of 1893, when Constantin Mimi, the last governor of Bessarabia, plants the first grape vines on the place that would become legend over the years. Here, you will taste Castel Mimi wines and have dinner at Castel Mimi restaurant that will culminate with “baba neagra” - a local dessert of Moldovan cuisine representing a cake garnished with vanilla cooked in some regions of the country.
On departure day, you will be transferred from the hotel to Chisinau International Airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you will have the option to explore Chisinau for a while on your own in the morning and buy some souvenirs.
Prices
Travel dates
Upon request
Price per person in €
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
10 Pers.
Jumbo Hotel 4*
1543€
1302€
1233€
City Park Hotel 4*
1648€
1407€
1338€
Bristol Central Park Hotel 4*
1669€
1428€
1359€
Nobil Luxury Boutique Hotel 5*
1837€
1596€
1526€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | 10 Pers. | ||
|
Upon request |
Jumbo Hotel 4* | 1543€ | 1302€ | 1233€ |
| City Park Hotel 4* | 1648€ | 1407€ | 1338€ | |
| Bristol Central Park Hotel 4* | 1669€ | 1428€ | 1359€ | |
| Nobil Luxury Boutique Hotel 5* | 1837€ | 1596€ | 1526€ | |
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at the hotel of your choice in Chisinau;
- Breakfast at the hotel of your choice;
- Lunch on day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of the itinerary;
- Dinner on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of the itinerary;
- Excursions on the entire itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Tasting of 3 types of wine at Asconi winery, 7 types of wine at Cricova winery, 5 types of wine at Karagani winery, 3 types of wine at Et Cetera winery and 4 types of wine at Castel Mimi winery;
- Tasting of 2 types of caviar, 2 types of smoked fish and 2 types of dried fish at Aquatir Sturgeon Complex;
- Tasting of 5 types of brandy with chocolate at Kvint wine and brandy factory;
- 3 culinary masterclasses;
- Transportation during the entire itinerary;
- English speaking guide.