29 Jun Discover the real meaning of rural hospitality in Moldova
The small Eastern European republic is full of fascinating history, culture, countryside, wines and gastronomy that are waiting to be explored at any time of the year
Nestled between Romania and Ukraine on the eastern edge of Europe, the small, uniquely charming and unforgettably beautiful rural Republic of Moldova was, until very recently, the least visited country in the continent. That is changing as international tourists begin to recognize the unforgettable, authentic and diverse experiences the exceptionally hospitable country offers throughout the year. In the last two years alone, it has been hailed as one of the top undiscovered destinations by, for example, the New York Post, National Geographic, CNN, the BBC, Lonely Planet, Forbes and Vogue. As a result, the number of visitors to a nation rich in history, culture, unspoiled countryside, superb wines and gastronomy have more than doubled to over 160,000 since 2015, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing vacation destinations. The U.S. Agency for International Development predicts that the Moldovan tourism sector could grow 10-fold within the next decade. Even so, the country is focused on remaining a destination of small-scale, sustainable delights, rather than mass tourism. With a rising number of flights to its capital Chisinau, as well as scenic routes into the country by rail, road and river ferry, Moldova is a must-see destination and the perfect place to escape from the stresses of life in 2020.
A wondrous world of wine
With the world’s highest percentage of land dedicated to vineyards, wine is a pillar of Moldova’s culture and identity. Moldovan winemakers have been creating an incredible variety of high-quality wines for millennia, a fact that is gaining increasing international appreciation. “The country has some of the best up-and-coming vineyards on the continent, including a vineyard that sits on top of 125 miles of underground cellar tunnels—the largest quality wine collection in the world,” Darshika Jones, U.S. director for Intrepid Travel told Bloomberg. The luxury tour company is just one operator seeing rising bookings from people wanting to experience Moldova’s winemaking at first hand. To help them, considerable effort has gone into making more of around 140 wineries in the country tourist friendly, which range from large-scale famous names to small boutique specialists. The country has introduced a number of wine routes to help visitors taste their way around Moldova that include sites of historical and cultural interest as well as congenial guesthouses. The peak of Moldova’s wine year comes in October, with the country’s National Wine Day, when over 1,000 local wines are available to try in Chisinau’s main square.
Be Moldova’s guest
Possibly Moldova’s biggest attraction is its genuine, warmly hospitable and open population that considers all visitors to be respected guests: a fact highlighted in its innovative digital campaign—Be our guest—that was awarded Best Destination Campaign at Romania’s ETRAVEL conference. There are 30 Moldovan hotels with 4- or 5-star rankings, most of which are in the capital although exceptions include a first-rate hotel at the renowned Purcari winery. However, the gems of the country’s hospitality sector are traditional, village guesthouses that allow visitors to fully experience the joys of rural life, while agrotourism establishments are also beginning to emerge in Moldova, especially around the city of Orhei. As one of Europe’s safest countries in general, the Moldovan commitment to hospitality means the whole sector has adopted strict new safety measures to fully protect guests from the impact of coronavirus.
Mouth-watering Moldova
Wherever you go in the country, you will be greeted with plates of delicious, simple, hearty and healthy food artfully prepared with high-quality, locally grown and bred produce and served with a welcoming smile at numerous restaurants and cafes. Although meat is an important, and very tasty, component of Moldova’s gastronomy, it is an easy country for vegetarians to navigate. Unique Moldovan recipes include the savory noodle soup zaeama; the polenta, sour cream and cheese dish mamaliga; cabbage leaves filled with rice and vegetables or meat, and placintele flaky pastries that are stuffed with all manner of ingredients including cabbage, local cheeses, apples and cherries.
Unique history and culture
Moldova has a rich heritage with each part of the country having its own fascinating and unique history, culture, traditions, folklore, music, crafts and cuisines. Scattered throughout its lands are medieval fortresses, remains from the 5th-3rd century BC Dacian civilization, Roman fortifications and reminders of its more recent, Soviet-influenced past. But perhaps its most impressive site is the natural and cultural reserve at Orheiul Vechi. Currently a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage site status and located on a rocky ridge in an unbelievable picturesque valley, Orheiul Vechi is an archaeological complex with a history going back over 2,000 years that is home to one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries among many other treasures. To make the most of any trip to Moldova, it is well worth checking out its Tree of Life Agenda for events taking place throughout the year that showcase particular traditions, customs, historical sites, sports, culture, foods and drinks. One outstanding example is DescOpera, a three-day opera festival with world-class performances in an open-air, rural amphitheater.
On the trail of adventure
Moldova’s diverse and stunning landscape, with rolling countryside and the mighty Codrii forests in the center of the country, make it ideal to explore on foot or bike. There are trails to follow throughout the republic, including ones around Orheiul Vechi and others that link the country’s many wineries. One new route has recently been developed in collaboration with neighboring Romania: the Voivode Stephen the Great and Holy itinerary, which looks at the influence of the medieval King Stephen III. This route stretches over 2,000 kilometers and takes in 29 historical and legendary attractions, as well as over 80 unique cultural, wine and adventure experiences, including Moldova’s famous wine cellars. The country also offers excellent opportunities for rafting down its many rivers, climbing, visiting some of the world’s longest caves and bird watching, with more that 300 species visiting the country at different points in the year. On the other hand, if total relaxation appeals, a visit to one of Moldova’s health and wellness spas and resorts is highly recommended.