Moldova

The natives, as well as the foreign guests, describe Moldova as a very hospitable country. Each guest is given a warm and hearty welcome. People have been carefully preserving their cultural inheritance, which is present in their everyday life.

The nature will offer you spectacular views of forests, caves, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, natural reserves. One can also find here unique natural monuments, ruins of ancient cities, monasteries and several fortresses. In Moldova, wine production is not only an industry, but rather a cultural tradition preserved for over 3 thousand years. Tourists can visit underground cellars and even participate in the wine production process. Sitting comfortably in the bus you can visit underground wine galleries and discover the streets with bacchic names, such as:„Cagor", „Cod ru",„Cabernet", „Feteasca".

During your stay, you will be invited to taste some of the national food. The traditional Moldovan menu consists of meat dishes (beef, lamb, poultry, pork), combined with vegetables and spices. But these dishes have a particular taste if you will also have a glass of Moldovan wine.

In this booklet you will find some of our offers, which can be customized anytime, depending on your preferences. With„Tatra-Bis"Company you will be able to enjoy a dream holiday in our country.

Language:

Moldavian official language, virtually the same as the Romanian, Russian language of communication, Gagauza Turkish dialect.

Transport:

There are no public flights within Moldova, because Moldova is a small Republic. Cars, buses and trains are most commonly used.

Visas:

Beginning with 01.01.2007, visitors from member-countries of European Union, USA, Canada and Japun will benefit from free access on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, without applying visa regime.

Entry Visas to Moldova are not required for citizens CIS countries (except Turkmenistan).

For the other countries the price of entry visa is equal to 60$. For tourist groups from ten and more persons, 50% reduction is granted.

Currency and Exchange Rates:

Moldavian lei (MDL)

• 1 USD = 13.30 lei
• 1 Euro = 16.50 lei

Professional Tourism Organizations:

National Association of Tourism Agencies of the Republic of MoldOva.

“Codry” Natural Park

The oldest Moldavian scientific forest reservation “Codry”, situated at a distance of about 50 km from Chisinau, was established on 2 7"' ofSeptember 19 71. It is one of the most attractive tourism regions of the Republic of Moldova. The reservation represents the highest part of Moldova (300 429 m), aud its landscapes remind some small mountains with a strong dismembered relief. About 1700 species of plants are under its protection. We can find here oak, beech, ash and lime trees. Also, here are Central European species, such as ferns, and orchids. 60 kinds of rare plants are registered in Codry's flora, from which 23 species are included in the list of plants which are under disappearance. This reservation also includes 52 kinds of mammals, 151 kinds of birds, 8 kinds of reptiles, 10 kinds of amphibians, and more than 8000 species of insects.

The forest reservation “Codry" has a scientific, practical and socio-cultural value. Tourists can spend unf orgettable vacations in the climatic and balneal spas, due to the pure air and to the beauty of the nature.

Toltrele Prutului - natural oasis

A natural phenomenon with a unique value in Europe Toltrele Prutului is represented by a coralliferous barrage of Sarmatian age. There are caves here, where the prehistoric human being's development has started. Defiles and deep canyons, with dimensions of 150-180 m, offer a unique landscape to Prut river. Tourists can see here different caves, which served as a shelter for animals in Glacier Era and also for people from prehistoric era

“Suta de Movil"

A natural park, with a total area of 1072 ha is situated itf the Northern part of Moldova, at East ofBraniste and Cobuni villages. The fame of this place is so big, that it is indicated in Bauer's “Map of Moldova” from 1772, and the scientist Dm. Cantemir in “Discripto Moldavie” noted the exactly position of this region. It is a natural, curious sub-unit, represented by many' knolls (3500).The most remarkable semi-anthropic formation is Movila Tiganului (Gipsy's Knoll), which has a unique height of 30 m.

“Butesti Reef"

Is situated at East of “Suta de Movile” having a length pf 2000 m, breadth of 125 m and height of 40m. This natural monument comprises diff erent varieties of skeletons and marine plants: chorals, shells, mollusks, crabs, mosses. Every year, on 22 June - summer solstice, a concert dedicated to “Music anif Nature Holiday”.

Country tour

• The millenary smile of the nicest dinosaur of Moldova
• . The biggest underground city and wine collection of Milestii Mici, registered in the Guiness Book
• Time travel to„Old Orhei"

Wine

Vineyards, so known today, are cultivated on Moldavian territory since ancient times. Our ancestors having been in permanent contact with mother-nature, did not remain indifferent towards this plant, that gave them in fall uutumn delicious brunches of grapes.

There are a lot of arguments which prove that wine growing on our mother-land is of local origin, and wines produced here were well known and appreciated during all the and beyond our borders.

After Dacia conquering by Romans, viticulture and wine making became more flourishing.

The highest development level of viticulture sector in the Republic of Moldova was achieved at the beginning oftheXX-th century, when the total area of vineyards was about 220 thousand ha. Average grapes harvest was equal to 6.31 per hectare, and average annual harvest 1150 thousand tones.

Nowadays country's viticulture patrimony consists of about 145 thousand ha of plantations, at which activate approximately 180 wine enterprises.

It is known the fact thatfor receptions, England Queen Elizabeth the Il-nd orders annually a certain quantity of Purcari wines.