Duration: | 4 Day(s) - 3 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Gastronomic Tours |
MOLDOVA REAL WINE AND FOOD ADVENTURE
Day 1: Castel Mimi Winery – One of the Most Beautiful Architectural Masterpieces in the World of Wine
On arrival at Chisinau International Airport, you will enjoy a city tour of Chisinau which is the main administrative, scientific and cultural center 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.
After the city tour, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Chisinau.
The 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 grapevines on the place that would become legend over the years.
Here, you will taste Castel Mimi wines, including Rosu de Bulboaca wine, an incomparable wine with outstanding features and elegant flavor. You will enjoy a tasty dinner at Castel Mimi restaurant.
HIGHLIGHTS: Chisinau city, Castel Mimi winery,
Day 2: “Placinte” Making masterclass in Butuceni village and wine experience with dinner at Cricova winery
In the morning, you will travel to Branesti village where you will discover Pivnitele din Branesti winery and taste the new wine. It has 50 km of underground cellars, reaching depths of 60 m beneath the surface. There are two tasting halls at Branesti, one of which is located underground. The halls are decorated with wood and metal that reproduce images related to vine cultivation and winemaking.
You will visit the Stone Age Complex of Pivnitele din Branesti winery where thanks to the absence of internet and mobile communications you can escape from civilization and city noise.
Next, 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 the 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 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. You will also have the possibility to learn dancing traditional Moldovan dances.
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 to Cricova winery on 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 totaling 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 processes 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. In the end, you will have a delicious dinner at the Cricova winery.
HIGHLIGHTS: Pivnitele din Branesti winery, Cultural, Natural and Landscape Reserve Orheiul Vechi, Butuceni guesthouse, "Placinte" and roll-ups masterclass at Butuceni guesthouse, Traditional dishes at Butuceni guesthouse, Cricova winery,
Day 3: Caviar and brandy tasting in Tiraspol
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 Kumanek restaurant in Tiraspol. Ukrainian borscht with garlic donuts is one of the famous dishes of this restaurant.
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.
After lunch, you will visit the Kvint wine and brandy factory where harmony, refinement, and tradition underlie the oldest and most genuine spirits. Here you will be acquainted with the taste of 5-10 years old spirits such as Kvint, Doina, Tiras, Nistru, and Surprise. In the evening, you will have dinner at a pub in Chisinau.
HIGHLIGHTS: Aquatir Sturgeon Complex, Ukrainian Borscht at Kumanek restaurant, Tiraspol city, Kvint wine, and brandy factory
Day 4: Departure Day
After checking out from the hotel, you will be transferred to a wine bar in Chisinau where you will enjoy an early brunch with a food and wine pairing masterclass.
Next, you will be transferred from the hotel to Chisinau International Airport.