Sveta and William

Let the adventure begin to on of the eastern most countries in Europe! Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Moldova from the United States, but multiple options available to transfer in several European cities.

There is only one international airport to fly into, Chisinau, airport code KIV. No visa is required for American or EU citizens. You will receive a stamp upon entry and the customs process is usually easy and fast.

The airport should have taxis. If you can't find a taxi, the Yandex Go app will likely be the quickest way for you to hail a taxi.

Car Rental at the airport: airport.md/en/services/paid-services/rent-a-car

Moldova is generally a very safe country, but please be mindful for pick pocketers. Many places will take Visa and/or Mastercard, but American Express is less accepted. Some places do not accept cards, so a small sum of cash on hand is advised. Do not drink the tap water, bottled water is inexpensive and readily available.

There are a variety of public transportation services for getting around the city, but in our experience using the Taxi App "Yandex Go" is the best option. This functions similar to Uber or Lyft, and is very budget friendly.

For the Rehearsal Dinner, the Wedding and Brunch, shuttle transportation will be provided from and to the hotels suggested.

Car Rental at the airport: airport.md/en/services/paid-services/rent-a-car

For those interested in renting a car, please note that the road conditions vary widely. Please take care while driving in Moldova and keep an eye on the road; their are many potholes and road imperfections which are far beyond what you have previously encountered.

Please let us know if you have any interests to take tours. The wedding planner would be happy to arrange at your own expense.

Chișinău is a city in transition, with new and old buildings side by side. Many older buildings were built during Soviet times in a functional style typical of that era. But Chișinău abounds in architectural masterpieces, many of which were designed by the famous Russian architect Alexandru Bernardazzi. A green city with lots of trees along it’s streets and boulevards that are particularly beautiful during spring and summer. May is perfect for walking under the scent of blooming acacia. Ștefan cel Mare Park, Valea Morilor and Public Garden are good places to dodge the heat during summer or go on fall walks.

The center of Moldova is full of adventures with low doses of adrenaline or oeno-culinary. Add to this a portion of spirituality from our old monasteries. You can practice hiking and biking in Plaiul Fagului, through Codrii Moldovei, rock climbing at Orheiul Vechi or kayaking on the Nistru.

Orheiul Vechi is a must-visit destination, an area full of mystery, legends and breathtaking landscapes. Located only 45-50 minutes away from the capital city of Chișinău. Here you can also visit The Orthodox Church of the Nativity of The Mother of God, Geto-Dacians Fortress, Cave Monastery. Activities at Orheiul Vechi: hiking, paragliding, alpinism.

The “Plaiul Fagului” Nature Reserve is northwest of Chișinău, in the village Rădenii Vechi. Besides camping, fishing, cycling and hiking the Codru Forest’s 1-5-kilometer and 3-kilometer trails, you can visit the Veverița, or Squirrel Monastery.

Manuc Bey is a French-style palace with a winter garden, guard towers and a well-maintained park. Designed by Alexandru Bernardazzi, it was built during the second half of the Nineteenth Century.

The North of Moldova has spectacular nature with beautiful architectural monuments bursting with history. The cave of Criva, the northernmost point of the country in Naslavcea, the manors and old churches in Drochia, Bocancea, as well as the Țaul park are all worth visiting. And if you miss a little fun, go to Soroca- the Roma capital of Moldova.

Mount Bălănești; If you enjoy climbing, but don’t want a grueling or death -defying excursion, you will enjoy ascending Mount Bălănești, at 429 meters – or 1,400 feet- Moldova’s highest peak.

The Criva Cave “Emil Racovița” is an awe-inspiring reminder of nature’s handiwork, starting with it’s length of 89 000 meters- or more than 55 miles- on several levels. It is the world’s third- largest cave carved out of gypsum, a sulfite mineral, and the world’s 26th-largest cave over-all. Its chambers range from five to 50 meters- or 150 feet- deep. Another amazing feature is the cave’s 20 underground lakes.

Closer to Chisinau:

Milestii Mici - https://www.milestii-mici.md/en/ The wine production from “Milestii Mici” is well known in many countries from all over the world and is appreciated at a high level by wine specialists with great reputation.
The underground wine city “Milestii Mici” is one of the most important tourist elements in Moldova and attracts visitors from all over the world.Every year, the galleries are visited by more than 20.000 tourists.
In 2005 “ The Golden Collection” Milestii Mici was registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest wine collection in the world, counting about 1,5 mln. bottles.

Cricova Winery Tour https://winetours.md/eng/winery-tours/cricova-winery "Cricova" JSC is a pearl of the Moldovan wine that represents an unique underground city well-known all over the world by its huge labyrinths, and especially by its excellent wines. "Cricova" is the first winery in Moldova which makes sparkling wine as it was prepared by the monk - wine maker Pierre Perignon. The technology "Méthode Traditionnelle" is a complex and thin process, consisting in secondary, in-bottle fermentation and the subconsequent maturation "cuvée".

A bit further out:

Et Cetera - https://etcetera.md/ Et Cetera is a family-owned winery. And we believe that love and care is the key of family’s well-being. We take care of the land which pays us back with great harvest. We control each wine-making process from growing eco grapes, fermentation and ageing in oak till serving the product to our guests at the restaurant of our winery.

Purcari Winery - https://purcari.wine/en/ By 2012, the Purcari collection boasted Icewine, derived from frozen Muscat Ottonel and Traminer grapes. For outstanding achievements in winemaking and promoting Moldova's image abroad, Purcari Winery became the owner of Grand Prix in wine making, awarded by the Republic of Moldova Government. The last decade of Purcari’s almost two centuries has seen the winery reach its most advanced and complex stage of its development. With the vineyards planted in 2003 reaching maturity, the quality of the grapes has improved significantly. The Château is poised to once again compete for discerning palates around the world.