In Pursuit of Hidden Countries: A Unique Moldova Tour, 3 Nights 4 Days, Thursday–Sunday
1st Day: Istanbul – Chișinău / Hotel Transfer – Moldova Night Dinner with Music (Optional Tour) 40 euro
Warning: Do not forget to pay your overseas departure tax before the tour.
On Thursday at 10:40, we meet at Istanbul New Airport. We depart for Chișinău at 13:40 on the scheduled Hisky Airlines flight H70422 and arrive in Chișinău, one of Europe’s greenest cities and the capital of Moldova, at 15:20 local time. After meeting our guide waiting for us at the airport, we transfer to our hotel by private vehicle. After check-in at our hotel, free time to rest. Those who wish may join the optional Moldova Night tour. (40 euro) While tasting the unique flavors of traditional Moldovan cuisine, we enjoy an unforgettable evening accompanied by live music performances by local artists. At the end of the night, we return to our hotel on foot and rest. Overnight at our hotel.
2nd Day: Panoramic City Tour – Milestii Mici Wine Cellar (with Tasting) 95 euro – Gagauzia Turkish Republic Tour (with Meal) (Optional Tour) 95 euro
Warning: When leaving the hotel today, make sure to have our ID cards or passports with us, and since the cellar is cool inside, we should also have a light cardigan or vest when leaving the hotel.
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin the day. Those who wish may join the extra Milestii Mici Wine Cellar and Gagauzia Turkish Republic tour. Milestii Mici, the world’s largest underground wine cellar, has 200 km of tunnels and houses the “Golden Wine Collection” at a depth of 80 meters. This impressive cellar, which entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2005, offers a unique experience for wine lovers and history enthusiasts. During the tour, we explore the cellar in special buggy vehicles with a guide, and after the cellar visit, we move to the tasting area and enjoy our wine tasting with appetizers. At the exit of the cellar, guests who wish may purchase wine from the souvenir section to take home.
After our visit to Milestii Mici, we head south of Moldova to Gagauzia Turkish Republic. As we arrive in the city of Comrat, the Gagauzia sign welcomes us at the entrance to the region. Gagauzia, which throughout history remained under the rule of Romania and Russia, was declared an autonomous region in 1994. In Comrat, we visit important points such as the Square, Saint John Church, Atatürk Library and Bust, Parliament Building, Lenin Monument, and Comrat University. We then have lunch at a local restaurant where we experience Gagauz cuisine.
Lunch at Gagauz Sofrası Guesthouse
We stop at Gagauz Sofrası for lunch, where you can enjoy gourmet flavors.
Besalma Village and Gagauz Museum Visit
We continue from Congaz to Besalma village. Here, there is a museum of historical and ethnographic value. The museum contains hundreds of artistic and spiritual artifacts belonging to the Gagauz people who lived in Moldova over the last two centuries. Among the most valuable pieces in the museum is the original film collection from the period when the Gagauz colonized the Budjak steppe. We also learn about the writer D. Cara-Cioban, who dedicated himself to promoting Gagauz culture.
Gagauz Traditional Folk Show
After visiting the museum, we have the opportunity to watch a traditional folk show reflecting the colorful and energetic side of Gagauz culture.
Comrat Panoramic Tour
We travel from Besalma to Comrat. Comrat is the capital of the autonomous Gagauzia region in southwestern Moldova, where the majority of the population consists of Gagauz people. This people are the only Turkic community affiliated with the Eastern Orthodox Church. They settled in Moldova in the 19th century by migrating together with ethnic Bulgarians from Bulgaria. With a panoramic tour in Comrat, we discover the city’s historical and cultural texture. At the end of the tour, we return to our hotel in Chișinău. Overnight at our hotel.
3rd Day: Transnistria Russian Autonomous Republic (with Meal) / Bender Fortress Tour / Kvint Cognac Factory (with Cognac Tasting) (Optional Tour) 115 euro
Warning: Today, make sure to have our ID cards or passports with us + a cardigan or vest.
After breakfast at our hotel, we begin our day. Our first stop is Bender Fortress, with its stunning view and impressive historical character. Built in the 13th century against Tatar raids, this fortress was conquered by the Ottomans in the 16th century and received the name Bender Fortress during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. After enjoying the view of Bender Fortress, we move on to the city of Tiraspol, stroll through its Soviet-style streets, and visit important points such as the Suvorov Monument, the Tank Monument, local markets, and parks. In this country, where Lenin and Marx are still regarded as heroes and the hammer-and-sickle flag flies, we take a journey through time.
Lunch at USSR-Themed Restaurant
We have lunch at the USSR Restaurant, decorated with a Soviet theme.
Authentic atmosphere, with flavors from traditional Soviet cuisine.
About the Kvint Cognac Factory
We visit the world-famous Kvint Brandy Factory, which has been producing since 1897.
After touring the museum, production line, and oak barrel collection, we experience a special brandy and chocolate pairing tasting guided by a professional guide. During the tasting, we also receive interesting information about which chocolate pairs best with which cognac.
At the end of the day, we return to our hotel, relax, and have free time for shopping.
4th Day: Free Time & Return Journey
After breakfast at our hotel, we make our final preparations.
At the time specified by our guide, we leave the hotel for a short walking city tour of Chișinău. Then we head to Chișinău Airport. With the guidance of our tour leader, we complete our flight procedures.
We depart for Istanbul New Airport at 14:00 on the scheduled Hisky Airlines flight H70421. After approximately a 1 hour 40 minute flight, we arrive at Istanbul New Airport at 16:40 Turkey time.
Until We Meet Again on Another Adventure!
NOTE: Triple room sales are not available at 3* Astoria Hotel and similar properties. JUNE FLIGHT TIMES
JUNE FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 10:50-12:30
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 19:00-20:40
JUNE FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 13:40-15:20
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 14:00-15:40
JULY FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 13:40-15:20
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 14:00-15:40
AUGUST FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 13:40-15:20
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 14:00-16:40
SEPTEMBER FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 13:40-15:20
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 14:00-16:40
OCTOBER FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 13:40-15:20
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 14:00-16:40
OCTOBER FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 13:40-15:20
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 14:00-16:40
NOVEMBER FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 13:40-15:20
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 14:00-16:40
DECEMBER FLIGHT TIMES
H70422 ISTANBUL-CHIȘINĂU 13:40-15:20
H70421 CHIȘINĂU-ISTANBUL 14:00-16:40
What's Included
Economy class airline ticket on the Istanbul (IST) – Chișinău (RMO) – Istanbul (IST) route with Hisky Airlines
23 kg baggage allowance + 8 kg cabin baggage
Airport taxes
Accommodation with breakfast at the selected hotel, according to the specified star category (3 nights)
Airport – hotel – airport transfers specified in the program
Professional Turkish-speaking guiding service familiar with the Moldova region
Chișinău panoramic city tour
Not Included
Optional Extra Tours (participation is optional – specified in the tour program)
Personal Expenses
Travel Health Insurance
International Departure Tax
