The winter cold is gradually leaving, and spring is making its claim. The time of vacations is approaching. And again we are asking questions: where, when, how and with whom to actively relax, to get a new charge of health, vigor and energy.
In recent years, more and more Ukrainian experienced tourists prefer to spend their vacations in Moldova, in which, despite the eventful history, a lot of unique architectural monuments and natural attractions, the tourism industry is just beginning to develop. But this small country, lying between Ukraine and Romania, has long been famous for its gentle and raskoshnoy nature with a mild and warm climate, clean air, picturesque river canyons, beautiful places with amazingly beautiful hilly landscapes, an abundance of vineyards and orchards. In this multinational country elements and traditions of Romanesque, Slavic and Turkic cultures are organically intertwined, many interesting national customs with original folklore and folk crafts have been preserved, and the local population is very friendly to guests.
Traditionally Moldova is famous for its vineyards, wines and brandies. Everyone knows the emblem of Moldovan winemaking — a white stork with a bunch of grapes in its beak. In the largest in Europe wine cellars of Moldova there are hundreds of varieties of these fragrant drinks. Many wineries offer tourists the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the technology of wine production, to observe the bottling process and, of course, to taste the final product. Very popular wine tours in Moldova, which start with a tour of vineyards and all stages of production and tasting of alcoholic beverages, include visits to ancient and medieval fortresses, rock monasteries, nature reserves and national parks and end with a visit to the largest wine cellars of Cricova, Maly Mileshti and the oldest winery in Europe, Purcari, whose wine adorned the tables of royal families.
History lovers will find much of interest in the rich cultural heritage of Moldova. These are the preserved remains of Geko-Dak settlements and Roman fortresses, rock monasteries, manor houses and old peasant huts. On the territory of the archaeological park Old Orhei you can see the caves carved in the rocks by prehistoric tribes, early Christian cells, the fortress of the ancestors of Moldavians (Geko-Dacs), the medieval rock monastery of the Assumption of the Mother of God. Traveling in Moldova, be sure to visit the Holy Trinity Monastery in the village of Saharna, a place of Orthodox pilgrimage to the relics of St. Macarius, the female monastery of Žapca with a three-altar church of the Ascension of the Holy Cross, the monastery of Hincu XVII century, the oldest monastery of Capriana (XVI century) and other religious buildings. In your tourist itinerary do not miss the village of. Soroca, the Gypsy capital of the Republic, its colorful quarter of old Gypsy houses and visit the citadel built by Gospodar (ruler) Stefan cel Mare in the XV century for protection against Turkish raids. In total, Moldova has over 140 cultural heritage monuments and over 80 specialized museums, as well as many natural attractions.
Rest in Moldova is integral to rural tourism, a type of active recreation in nature. Living in cozy pastoral villages, tourists can participate in rural work, learn folk crafts, get acquainted with local folklore, traditions and entertainment. Being in the countryside, vacationers can leisurely wander through the fields and forests, listen to the birds singing, watch the quiet rivers, enjoy the cold spring water.
To appreciate the rest in Moldova, to enjoy its beauty and attractions, it is necessary to visit this hospitable cozy country at least once.