Cricova Winery & Old Orhei & Curchi Monastery - Chisinau

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Tour Information

Key Details

  • Mobile Voucher Accepted
  • Hotel pickup Available
  • Duration: 7 Hrs
  • Language:
    English
  • Departure Time :
    , Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience., Open air Museum - Old Orhei & Cricova Winery, underground wine city!, 4/1/2020 - 12/31/2023Monday - Sunday : 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Return Details :
    To your hotel/ apartment.
  • Cancellation Policy :
    This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Overview

The tour is planned in such way, that you never get bored:
- Pick up at hotel/apartment
- 45 minutes drive to Cricova
- 2 hours excursion in the wine cellars
- 1 hour drive to Old Orhei - 1 hour exploration of the site
- 1 hour for relaxing lunch/dinner
- 1 hour drive back to Chisinau/hotel
Total time needed: 7 hours

Know More about this tour


Cricova Winery is the most luxury and one of the biggest underground wine cellars in the world. Sounds good right?
One of the most popular places of interest in Moldova is a touristic zone called Old Orhei(Orheiul Vechi), which is situated on the Raut River (Rut Ru). It is a nations patrimony, which is located about 60 km away from the capital city Chisinau, among three villages: Butuceni, Morovaia and Trebujeni. Orhei Vechi is an archaeological and historical complex, which consists of two moderate but very old museums, ancient rocky church and also several private old-fashioned hotels in a very traditional style, located in villages Butucheni and Trebujeni. Old Orhei is an exceptionally quiet and delightful place with impressive landscapes and huge historical background which bring the tourists to discover Moldova's ancient roots.
Butuceni Eco Resort is located in a picturesque place that fascinates with its beauty. It is a rocky area with endless green areas on the river Raut. Butuceni village is located 47 km from Chisinau and 18 Km from Orhei. The householders of Eco Resort Butuceni had set an objective that whoever would pass in their house to fell as good as an Moldovan feels at mothers home. The lejanca bed with clay walls that is heated with fire from the inside, with tasty placinta-homemade pie and homemade wine will make a special impression that may be never forgotten. The householders are also proud to present their house farm, with a large variety of animals and birds. From the farm you can make your child happy with a trip on the pony or horse. enjoying the landscapes of Butuceni. Here you can taste the fruits and vegetables which are grown in the orchard of the Eco Resort Butuceni.
The complex of the Curchi monastery is located in one of the most amazing places in the center of Moldova, in the vicinity of the village of Buzesti. It is located on two terraces and is surrounded by a stone wall with several corner towers.The ensemble of the monastery consists of two churches - the summer Svyatodmitriyevskaya, built at the expense of Iordace Curchi, and the winter Christmas of Our Lady, built later, at the beginning of the XIX century. Of particular interest is the winter church erected in 1810. With its construction, the architects turned to the best traditions of classicism, applying in parallel some baroque techniques.In addition, the structure of the monastic architectural ensemble included nine buildings with cells and the abbot's quarters of the structure of the beginning of the 20th century, a garden and a small stone pool. Previously, a hotel, school and orphanage operated at the monastery.

Itinerary:


Cricova Winery is the most luxury and one of the biggest underground wine cellars in the world. Sounds good right?
One of the most popular places of interest in Moldova is a touristic zone called Old Orhei(Orheiul Vechi), which is situated on the Raut River (Răut Rău). It is a nation’s patrimony, which is located about 60 km away from the capital city Chisinau, among three villages: Butuceni, Morovaia and Trebujeni. Orhei Vechi is an archaeological and historical complex, which consists of two moderate but very old museums, ancient rocky church and also several private old-fashioned hotels in a very traditional style, located in villages Butucheni and Trebujeni. Old Orhei is an exceptionally quiet and delightful place with impressive landscapes and huge historical background which bring the tourists to discover Moldova's ancient roots.
Butuceni Eco Resort is located in a picturesque place that fascinates with its beauty. It is a rocky area with endless green areas on the river Raut. Butuceni village is located 47 km from Chisinau and 18 Km from Orhei. The householders of Eco Resort Butuceni had set an objective that whoever would pass in their house to fell as good as an Moldovan feels at mother’s home. The “lejanca” – bed with clay walls that is heated with fire from the inside, with tasty “placinta”-homemade pie and homemade wine will make a special impression that may be never forgotten. The householders are also proud to present their house farm, with a large variety of animals and birds. From the farm you can make your child happy with a trip on the pony or horse. enjoying the landscapes of Butuceni. Here you can taste the fruits and vegetables which are grown in the orchard of the Eco Resort Butuceni.
The complex of the Curchi monastery is located in one of the most amazing places in the center of Moldova, in the vicinity of the village of Buzesti. It is located on two terraces and is surrounded by a stone wall with several corner towers.The ensemble of the monastery consists of two churches - the summer Svyatodmitriyevskaya, built at the expense of Iordace Curchi, and the winter Christmas of Our Lady, built later, at the beginning of the XIX century. Of particular interest is the winter church erected in 1810. With its construction, the architects turned to the best traditions of classicism, applying in parallel some baroque techniques. In addition, the structure of the monastic architectural ensemble included nine buildings with cells and the abbot's quarters of the structure of the beginning of the 20th century, a garden and a small stone pool. Previously, a hotel, school and orphanage operated at the monastery.

Inclusions

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Local guide
  • Private tour
  • Professional guide
  • Wine tasting
  • Snacks

Exclusions

  • Lunch
  • Drinks

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Minimum drinking age is 18 years

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

Traveler Reviews

  • 06-Jul-2020

    A must do. I did the evening tour with tasting. Tour of the expansive underground cellars which included salt displays and visiting the tasting rooms. You ride through the cellars on a motorized trolley which takes you to several of the major cellars. It is basically an entire city with street names underground. If you can, do a tasting tour as they do really formal seating with delicious samples. There is a video at the beginning in their bar/theater which explains the history & process. The tour is done by Crickova staff not your tour guide, and you may select the language. There is a superb gift shop.

  • 19-Feb-2020

    The tour started with hotel pick up at 10AM. Our tour driver, Veaceslav, was waiting for us when we walked down about 10 minutes prior the scheduled time. We headed off to our first destination, Old Orhei, which is about an hour or so from our hotel in Chisinau. On the way, he shared really interesting information about Moldova. Before our stop to Old Orhei, he took us to two "unplanned" stops that were amazing. The first stop was a lookout far away from the monastery but had absolutely stunning views from lookout. The second stop was ruins of a bathhouse in the area. He explained the significance of it for it's time. At the site, we visited an archaeological museum that showed several pieces of history throughout the area dating back to early BC periods. He then showed us a common house of the village. We then walked made a quick walk up the stairs to the monastery itself. He showed us around in the monastery and then walked us up to the church and showed us inside the Russian Orthodox church. Afterwards, Veaceslav suggested a great little lunch place were were stopped and had an authentic Moldavan lunch for incredibly cheap (not part of the tour but worthwhile!) The food was delicious and the service was prompt. Our guide even showed us around the property, the cellars the store the food and another house in the village. After lunch, we made our way to Cricova Winery. The drive was shorter and we arrived a little early. At this point, Veaceslav, waited for us to do the tour with the winery. Unlike Milisti Mici, Cricova has large golf cart buses type things that you ride around in for the tour. Our tour guide showed us the impressive winery that houses some the world leaders wines (my favorite part of the winery!) and through the underground tunnels. There we watched a brief movie about the winery and were able to enjoy our first wine, a dry sparkling wine. We then moved on to the tasting, a red wine, white wine, and sparking sweet wine. They also provided a few snacks for our tasting. The winery here was far more impressive than Mici but felt a little intimidating. I did enjoy the wine more at Cricova. After our tour of about 2 hours in the winery concluded, we met with Veaceslav who took us back to the hotel. Overall, it was a really great day. The tours were perfect combination for my husband who loves to be outdoors and me who loves wine. I would HIGHLY recommend Veaceslav as he was a great tour guide who very clearly loved Moldova.

  • 02-Oct-2019

    I traveled to Orhei and Cricova on my second day in Moldova. Fortunately, I knew my guide Nicolai and, therefore, knew that I would learn much and have an enjoyable day. I definitely did.

    In the morning, Nicolai drove us to a lovely church and provided great insight. We then journeyed to Old Orhei, stopping in several places to take great photos. As always, Nicolai proved to be a great guide, answering all my questions and being a great companion.

    In the afternoon, we visited Cricova. Cricova is a bit fancier than Milestii Mici; more elaborate (but not as fun to visit). I recommend visiting both Milestii Mici and Cricova, though, such that the wineries can be compared.

    Once again, I must thank Nicolai for being a great guide and taking such good care of me.

    cheers

  • 01-Oct-2019

    I traveled to Orhei and Cricova on my second day in Moldova. Fortunately, I knew my guide Nicolai and, therefore, knew that I would learn much and have an enjoyable day. I definitely did. In the morning, Nicolai drove us to a lovely church and provided great insight. We then journeyed to Old Orhei, stopping in several places to take great photos. As always, Nicolai proved to be a great guide, answering all my questions and being a great companion. In the afternoon, we visited Cricova. Cricova is a bit fancier than Milestii Mici; more elaborate (but not as fun to visit). I recommend visiting both Milestii Mici and Cricova, though, such that the wineries can be compared. Once again, I must thank Nicolai for being a great guide and taking such good care of me. cheers