Discover the most authentic, nostalgic, and surreal part of Moldova on a unique tour of Soviet architecture, forgotten stories, places that seem to have come straight out of the USSR, and of course – Moldovan Wine!
We will walk through the heart of Soviet Chișinău among gigantic brutalist buildings, abandoned hotels with a post-apocalyptic aesthetic, and hidden corners that most tourists will never see. You'll learn who the most influential Soviet architect of all time was and how his vision transformed entire cities in the former Soviet Union.
During the tour, we will also enter one of the most iconic Soviet buildings in the capital, where, incredibly, we will find tropical palm trees hidden inside a socialist-era building. An absurd and fascinating contrast that seems straight out of a film.
We will stop at a small vintage bookshop full of old Soviet books, perfect as original souvenirs.
For lunch, we'll have an even more authentic experience: we'll eat in a real state canteen that has remained open since Soviet times. The atmosphere is still very rustic, simple, and genuine: an authentic journey back in time where you can enjoy traditional local dishes as they were served decades ago. Of course, the portions are generous and the prices are affordable!
And of course, there will be the most ironic side of the trip: we will have an aperitif “with Lenin”!
In the afternoon, we'll head out of the city to visit incredible Soviet museums off the usual tourist trail and listen to curious, absurd, and often little-known stories about life in the former Soviet bloc:
a) Petru Costin's Soviet Open Air Museum (near Ialoveni/Suruceni): a unique open-air museum with statues, busts of Soviet leaders, monuments, vehicles, and military gear from the USSR era.
b) Records Gallery (Petru Costin Gallery): an eclectic and surprising collection with thousands of objects, including the largest collection of horseshoes in the world, maps made with coins, Soviet memorabilia, vintage radios and much more.
To end the day in style, we will visit Mileștii Mici, the world's largest wine cellar, an immense underground wine city with hundreds of kilometres of tunnels.
Please note the following important information:
1) Maximum: 6 people!
2) The guided tour inside Mileștii Mici is not always available in Italian and is very often conducted in English.
Participation in the wine cellar visit is not mandatory. Guests who have already visited Mileștii Mici or who simply prefer not to participate can go directly to the hotel or enjoy some free time.
In the event that other participants wish to continue the tour of the winery, a taxi will be arranged and paid for from Mileștii Mici directly to the hotel for those who choose not to participate in the visit
3) After the tour, I will take you directly to your hotel!!
