WHY VISIT MOLDOVA
The visit of the monasteries is a must for the traveler who goes to Moldova, the three most notable being those of Capriana, Hincu, and Hirjeuca. Other places to visit for history lovers, the historic city of Orheiul Vechi, the medieval fortress of Soroca, Church of Caucani.
In the south, you can explore the Beleu and Manta lakes, with their many bird populations. North, take some time to explore the village of Taul and the park of the same name, especially in spring when flowering. The wine trail is a great way to discover the country. The cellars of Milestii Mici, the longest in the world, since the total length of the galleries reaches 200 km, and form a real underground city in its barrels containing 65 million liters; Tipova Nature Reserve, with its monastery built on steep cliffs; in Chisinau, the capital, the Alley of Classics brings together two rows of red granite statues of famous authors of Romanian literature; also in the capital, the park and the lake Valea Morilor covering a 102-hectare area in the city, shaping a unique landscape; Complexul memorial Capul de pod Șerpeni, built in tribute to the heroes of 1944.
WHAT TO SEE IN MOLDOVA
Top destinations in Moldova are:
- Chișinău
- Tiraspol
- Soroca
- Bălţi
- Bendeery
- Rîbnița
- Orhei
- Ungheni
- Cahul
- Nisporeni
- Hîncești
- Briceni
WHEN TO GO TO MOLDOVA
Weather in Moldova
The best period to visit Moldova is from April to September.
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Moldova has a temperate continental climate and the Black Sea brings a moderate maritime influence. We are undergoing cold winters and hot and sunny summers. It is milder in the south. the country with temperatures ranging from -5 ° C in winter and sometimes 40° C in summer. Rainfall is quite irregular and scanty.
Following a list of typical festival and celebrations of Moldova
- Wine&Gastronomy Theatre (February). This culinary event traditionally takes place in mid-February during the annual ExpoVin Moldova wine exhibition. During this event, the best chefs from Moldova, and also some foreign chefs, cook delicious dishes in front of an audience. http://www.vinmoldova.md/
- Martisor Music Festival (March). Every year the first days of spring are marked by opening of the Martisor Musica Festival. During the first ten days of March, the best concert halls from Chisinau (i.e. Philharmonics, Organ Hall, and Opera Theater) and other localities host over 40 concerts.
- Bitei (May). Biennial festival BITEI is the only International Festival of Scenic Arts in Moldova, held in Chisinau. The program of the festival includes the following sections: Theater, Music, Dance and Street performances. Within these sections, there are played dramatic theater performances, modern dance performances, puppet theater, music, and folklore. There are held debates, meetings at the event with people interested in theater, personalities, and guests invited to the festival. Bienala Teatrului Bitei
- Chronograf Festival (May). Cronograf is the only international documentary film festival hosted by Chisinau. It takes place at the Odeon cinema. The festival enjoys a good reputation internationally. Famous filmmakers, directors, and critics from France, Germany, Georgia, Moldova and Romania are part of the jury of the competition. www.cronograf.md
- Festei Theatre Festival (May). The International Festival of Scenic Arts of «Eugen Ionesco» Theatre is a well-known and anticipated event in Moldova. For 10 days in May, on several theatre stages around Chisinau theatre groups from many countries perform dramatic, musical, and dance spectacles. The most active countries involved are South Korea, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Japan, Russia, Romania, Spain, Israel, Moldova, and other countries. http://www.tei.md
- Retro-Mai (May). VATRA announces event season-opening between the 1st and the 3rd of May in a retro-style within VATRA Ethno-Cultural Complex. www.vatrafest.com
- Nufarul Alb (July, in odd years). During the festival, the town transforms into a place of meetings for folklore singers and dancers, handicraft makers from different countries. This is a folk festival where groups showing restores or stylized folklore participate. What is very obvious at this festival is the diversity of cultures and music traditions kept for centuries by different nations. www.nufarul.md
- Faces of Friends (August). The international music festival, Faces of Friends, is a major cultural event in Moldova and the region. The festival is held every year in Cahul, a small town in the south of Moldova. www.cahulfest.net/faces.html
- Gustar Music Festival (August). Gustar Fest is dedicated to music, arts, and traditional food, especially fruits, which usually take place during the last weekend in August. It occurs over two days in the open air in a nature amphitheater near Orhei Vechi (Old Orhei). www.gustar.md
- Marina Biesu Opera and Ballet Festival (September). During the annual Invită Maria Bieşu festival famous orchestra conductors, opera singers, and ballet dancers perform on two stages in Chisinau. Artists come from Austria, France, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine, and other countries. www.nationalopera.md
- Moldova Classical Parachuting Cup (September). Moldovan skydivers club organizes the next Moldova Open Parachuting Cup at Vadul lui Voda Sport Airport. During the two day competition, skydivers must make seven jumps and demonstrate precision landing techniques. The first landing should be at two centimeters from the ground. www.skydive.md
- Ethno Jazz Festival (September). Ethno Jazz Festival is an international music event that takes place in Moldova in September and is organized by Trigon Ethno Jazz group. It has become Moldova’s principal jazz fest. Jazz artists from different countries perform during this festival. The festival promotes contemporary culture and cultural exchange through music. www.trigonjazz.com
- Velo Hora (September). The Velo Hora Festival is organized in Chisinau to mark World Car Free Day (September 22). The main event of the festival is a 20 km public bicycle ride through the streets of Chisinau, Moldova’s capital city. Thousands of riders of all ages gather at The Great National Assembly Square before being escorted through the city by local police. www.velohora.md
- Chisinau Wine Day (first 2 weekends of October). You will have the opportunity to try different types of wine and liquor, enjoy traditional food, meet people, engage in a traditional hora, and have a whole Moldovan cultural experience. Don’t forget to spoil yourself and buy a bottle of Moldovan “corked history”. Chisinau Wine Day
- Moldova Wine Festival (October). The Moldova wine festival, officially named “National Wine Day”, takes place in Chisinau during the first weekend in October at the end of the grape harvest. The festival celebrates Moldova’s rich winemaking traditions, which date back to the 15th century. www.moldovawinefestival.md
- Bostaniada Festival (October). Its first edition that took place on October 28, 2012, in Lozova village, Straseni was very much appreciated. The event promotes the culture of pumpkin consumption and the quality of traditional dishes cooked from fresh products. At the festival, the pumpkin is presented under all possible functions and forms: fresh for sale, cooked in cold and hot dishes, as lighter, as decoration, as vessels for wine, as musical instrument etc.
- BEMOL Motocross Cup (October). BEMOL organizes the International Bemol Motocross Cup for all adrenaline and motocross enthusiasts! The event takes place near the town of Hincesti on the Hincesti-Leova path (1 km). www.bemol.md
HOW TO REACH AND TRAVEL THROUGH MOLDOVA
To move around the country, it is better to choose the car because the train network is very limited. The roads are not in very good condition, it is necessary to drive safely. There is no air connection within the country.
by plane, the main airports are:
by train
by car
GENERAL INFORMATION ON MOLDOVA
health tips & vaccination: there are no mandatory vaccinations, but it is advisable to have, in addition to its universal vaccines, those against hepatitis A and B and against typhoid. Protect yourself against ticks in case of forest walks. Drink preferably water bottle.
local currency: Moldovan leu
local time zone: GMT+2 (+3)
electricity: type C and type F (230 V – 50 Hz)
mobile phone operators:
WHAT TO DO IN MOLDOVA
typical food from Moldova
- Mititeyi: small grilled sausages with onion and pepper.
- Mamaliga: thick, sticky maize pie served with brinza (feta cheese).
- Tocana: pork stew.
- Ghiveci: lamb or goat stew.
- Mamaliga: cornmeal boiled in saltwater until it’s mushy; this is served with nearly every traditional meal as a base or side.
- Brinza: a very popular sheep cheese found in or with many dishes.
- Placinte: pastries shaped like pies that are usually topped with cheese, potatoes, or fruit.
- Pârjoale: meatballs of minced pork mixed with eggs, garlic, herbs, spices, and salt, rolled in bread crumbs or flour and fried in hot oil.
- Chiftele: flat and round meatballs usually made from minced pork, mixed with mashed potatoes and spices, then deep-fried and served with pilaf or mashed potatoes.
- Sarmale: minced meat with rice, wrapped in either pickled cabbage leaves or vine leaves.
- Cozonac: sweet bread with raisins hazelnuts and walnuts.
- Brânzoaice: small bun stuffed with cheese, baked until golden.
- Sfințișori: eight-shaped sweet bread.
souvenirs from Moldova
- Embroidered linen
- Martisor tablecloths
- Sheepskin Hat
- Baskets
- Carpets
- Folk clothing
- Wood carving works
- Woven bags
- Ceramics and pottery
- Folk dressed dolls
- Flute and Pan flute
- Buzdugan wooden mace
- Pastrami ham
- Wine or Nucul de Aur Balsam, alcoholic drink made of walnut and herbs
SIMPLE DICTIONARY
Hello: Buna
Goodbye: La revedere
How are you?: Ce mai faci?
Thank you: Mulțumesc
What is your name?: Cum te numești?
How much is it?: Cât face?
Sorry: Scuze
Source:
Source: http://www.thebesttimetovisit.com/
Source: http://www.roughguides.com/
