Ultimate Moldova and Transdnistria Tour

Day 1: Chisinau – Bender – Tiraspol

With the sunrise over Moldova, visitors converge in Chisinau, ready to set out on a history- and culture-filled journey. We start our tour with a trip to Bender, where we go to important places like the WWII and Afghanistan War memorials and the Ottoman Fortress. A trip to Kitkani village provides us with breathtaking views of the Noul Neamt Monastery, prompting us to explore monastic settlements. We can have lunch in a retro Soviet-era canteen or at the eccentric “Back to USSR” and then go on a tour of Tiraspol, stopping at the Suvorov Monument and the House of Soviets, a grandiose building. In the evening, we are at liberty to hunt for souvenirs and talk about life in the USSR with the elderly locals. There is an optional fun activity of a restored Soviet Kopeika car ride. We finish our day with a Transdnistrian dinner in a traditional style and a good night’s rest at the Luxury Lenin Street Hostel, an excellent place for further exploration.

Morning:

• Pick-up from Chisinau and departure to Bender.
• Visit Bender’s key landmarks: WWII and Afghanistan War memorials, the Ottoman Fortress, the old revolutionary train, and the Museum of Labor Glory dedicated to railway workers.
• Stop at Kitkani village to enjoy stunning views over the Noul Neamt Monastery, learn about self-sufficient monastic life, and (if allowed) climb the bell tower.
• Depending on group preference, lunch will be at either a Soviet-style canteen in Bender or after crossing the Dniester River using a Soviet-era military engineless ferry for a unique arrival in Tiraspol.

Afternoon

• Lunch options:
  1. Soviet canteen “STOLOVKA” in the basement of an active Militia (Police) Station.
  2. Restaurant “Back to USSR.”
• Tiraspol City Tour: Explore the Suvorov Monument, Tank Monument, three war memorials, House of Soviets, Parliament with a giant Lenin statue, University area, the unexpected monument there, Gagarin Square, and Aviators’ Monument.

Evening

• Free time for souvenir hunting and a visit to a local Soviet pensioners’ home for firsthand discussions about life in the USSR and modern-day Transdnistria.
• Optional experience:
  1. Ride a fully restored Soviet Kopeika car, complete with a glass of champagne and a professional photo-shoot. Guests with a national driving license may even drive it themselves with owner and guide in the car. Good weather conditions required.
  2. Dinner at either a traditional Transdnistrian restaurant or a local hidden gem specializing in meat dishes.
• Overnight stay at Luxury Lenin Street Hostel, offering walking access to Tiraspol’s main attractions and separate rooms.

Day 2: Grigoriopol – Dubasari – Ribnita – Saharna

We start the day with a hot breakfast in a local café, then head to Dubasari, stopping at Grigoriopol to see its WWII memorial and Soviet-style buildings. After arrival, we take a tour of Dubasari, and we see the hydroelectric plant, the war memorial, and the Dubasari Sea, where you can choose to swim. Lunch at a modern café with a swimming pool welcomes those who would wish to swim before we proceed with our trip to Ribnita. We stop at Goyan to view its Soviet-style House of Culture. A short trip to Moldova enables us to see the tranquil Saharna Monastery and its holy spring. We conclude the day with a city tour of Ribnita, dinner in a typical Moldovan restaurant, and a comfortable overnight in a modern Transdnistrian-style flat.

Morning

• Breakfast at a cozy cafe.
• Depart for Dubasari, with a quick stop in Grigoriopol to see the WWII memorial, the Soviet-era Vostok cinema, the old library, and a historic Jewish cemetery.
• Arrive in Dubasari for a city tour, including the hydroelectric power plant, war memorial, Dubasari Sea (with an optional swim), the old Soviet bar, another Jewish cemetery, and the Lenin statue in front of the music school.
• Lunch at a modern Transdnistrian café with a swimming pool—bring your swimwear in case you feel like taking a dip.

Afternoon

• Drive towards Ribnita, with a short stop in Goyan, a protected resort area featuring a Soviet-era House of Culture and a war memorial.
• Cross briefly into Moldova to visit Saharna Monastery, explore waterfalls, and swim in the ice-cold waters of the holy spring at Holy Trinity Monastery.
• Return to Transdnistria and continue to Ribnita for a city tour: the Lenin statue, mosaics on the House of Culture, and local Soviet-era architecture.
• Dinner at a traditional Moldovan restaurant.
• Overnight in a modern yet traditional Transdnistrian-style “flat on land.”
• Optional night club visit, depending on the season and day of the week.

Day 3: Soroca – Old Orhei – Wine Tasting – Chisinau

Following breakfast, we set off for Soroca, Moldova’s “northern capital.” First, we stopped at the Candle of Gratitude Monument, which has great views of the Dniester River and the nearby Ukrainian village of Tsikinovka. Then we headed to Gypsy Hill, renowned for its mansions and monuments like the Capitolium and Golden Dome. After that, we visited the medieval Soroca Fortress and saw the only Romanian-style wooden church in Moldova. Lunch in a nearby local restaurant near the fortress provides the opportunity to enjoy local food. In the afternoon, we take a tour to Old Orhei, an outstanding archaeological reserve in which we see ancient cave monasteries and have a traditional snack made in a family restaurant. Optional late afternoon excursions are to visit the world’s longest wine cellars at Mileștii Mici or Cricova Winery, or to tour the Soviet Open-Air Museum, with intriguing artifacts from the USSR era.

Morning

• After breakfast, depart for Soroca, known as the “northern capital” of Moldova.
• Visit the Candle of Gratitude Monument, offering panoramic views of the Dniester River and the Ukrainian village of Tsikinovka.
• Explore Gypsy Hill, known for its extravagant mansions and landmarks such as the Capitolium, Brandenburg Gate, Golden Dome, and the old gypsy cemetery.
• Discover the historic Soroca Fortress and admire views of Ukraine. Nearby, visit the only Romanian-style wooden church in Moldova.
• Lunch at an ethnic Moldovan restaurant near the fortress.

Afternoon:

• Travel to Old Orhei, an archaeological and historical treasure. Visit the ancient cave monasteries and enjoy a traditional snack at a family-run restaurant, where you can observe the entire food preparation process.
• Return back to Chisinau airport or booked Hotel.

Optional Late Afternoon Activities:

1. Milestii Mici Winery – Explore the world’s longest wine cellars (200 km) and indulge in generous wine tastings.
2. Cricova Winery, home to 120 km of underground wine cellars. Take a guided tour and enjoy a wine-tasting session.
3. Soviet Open-Air Museum – A fascinating collection of Soviet-era artifacts, including statues of USSR leaders, airplanes, and helicopters.

Tour Overview:

Explore Moldova & Transdnistria in a private 3-day adventure, covering historic cities, monasteries, and breathtaking landscapes.
Walk through history in Bender and Tiraspol, discovering Soviet-era monuments, war memorials, and local culture.
Experience Soviet nostalgia—ride a vintage USSR Kopeika car, visit a Soviet pensioners’ home, and dine in authentic Soviet-style canteens.
Discover hidden gems such as the stunning Saharna Monastery and waterfalls, and the unique Gypsy Hill in Soroca.
Immerse yourself in local traditions by visiting Old Orhei’s cave monasteries and enjoying home-cooked meals in family-run restaurants.
Savor Moldova’s world-famous wines at Cricova’s underground cellars, with an option to visit the Guinness Record-holding Milestii Mici winery.
Enjoy comfortable stays, including a stylish hostel in Tiraspol and a traditional Transdnistrian “flat on land.”
Flexible itinerary—we adjust to your needs and preferences for a truly personalized experience.