Moldova

Unexplored country in Eastern Europe hides numerous surprises for tourists from all over the world.

Republic of Moldova (often used expression in Croatian language is Moldavia), extends at about 33 000 square kilometers in eastern Europe. It borders with Ukraine in the east and with Romania in the west.

The biggest part of the land is situated between Dniester and Prut and the territory mostly consists of fertile rolling plains, with only several hills. In the west of the country rises the highest peak of the state – Bălăneşti – at 429 meters above sea level.

The country has about 4.5 million inhabitants, and the majority are Moldovans. The majority of population lives in the rural settlements and is engaged in agriculture and livestock. Moldova is among the least developed countries of the old continent and also one of the poorest.

The capital city – Chisinau – is situated in the central eastern part of the country, on the banks of the river Taurus. It dates back to the 15th century, and is a major industrial, business and cultural center of the country.

Moldovan cuisine is a combination of Ukrainian and Romanian tastes. Here they like to eat food from different vegetables, mushrooms and the inevitable meat such as chicken, goose, duck, pork and lamb. Corn is the most common ingredient in Moldovan kitchen, from which a favorite dish mamaliga is prepared. Food is served with locally produced wines, which are considered among the better-known brands of Moldova.

5 memorable tourist attractions in Moldova:
  1. Capital

Explore Chisinau and its cultural and historical monuments. Visit the Arc de Triomphe, the statue of Stephen the Great and adorable botanical gardens of the city. Visit the memorial complex of Eternity, which is dedicated to deceased soldiers from the World War II, and an unavoidable tourist destination are the opera and ballet houses in the city and the colorful city market.

  1. Wine cellars

Visit the largest wine collection in the world – Milestii Mici – which is in the Guinness Book of Records. The cellar is situated in the eastern part of the country bellow the homonymous village, precisely in the underground tunnels which extend at about two hundred kilometers. Cellar Milestii Mici occupies only fifty miles, and has over 1.5 million bottles of premium wine.

  1. Soroca

Tourists like to visit the city of Soroca in the northeast, on the border with Ukraine. It was founded in the 15th century by Moldovan prince Stephen the Great. The main symbol of the city is the imposing medieval castle, which played an important geo-strategic role in this region throughout history.

  1. Archaeological Complex

Old Orhei is a name of an archaeological complex which is situated in the central part of the country, between the villages Trebujeni and Butuceni. It is a sort of an outdoor museum that gathers the remains of prehistoric and medieval times. Tourists like to explore the old Thracian fortress, as well as Orthodox monastery, situated in an extensive cave system.

  1. Eco-tourism

The northern part of the country is known for its fertile plains on which a variety of crops are grown, and where people cherish the traditional customs of Moldova. If you’d like to explore this particular part of the Moldovan culture go to one of the traditional villages such as Saharan, Cosautija and Pepene.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Official Language: Moldovan (Romanian)
Religion: Christianity (98 percent)
Currency: Moldovan Leu (MDL)
Visa: required – it can be obtained at the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Budapest (Ady Endre utca 16, Tel. 00 36 1 336 3450)
How to travel: by plane – the main airport of Moldova is Chisinau International Airport near the capital.
Disease and prevention: special vaccination to enter the country is not required.
When to travel: Spring-summer
Accommodation: Hotel Budapest and Hotel Flowers in the capital are an excellent choice.
Restaurants: Restaurants La Taifas and Hutorok are a good choice in Chisinau, where traditional cuisine of this area is served.

Caution!

Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests caution when going to Moldova, that is in the northeast area Transnjistrije, which declared its independence from the rest of the country.
Take care of your property and documents around the tourist centers.

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