Visiting Moldova - articol vechi dar interesant... :)))

Visiting Moldova Moldova. Is it worth going to, and what's the cheapest way to get there?James Green Saturday September 13, 2003 · I have visited Moldova a few times and it's definitely worth visiting. There are some great little museums in the quirky capital, Chisinau, (which cost about ?1 to enter) including the Pushkin museum, where you can find out about his love affair with a local Gypsy girl. At the open air exhibition of military equipment, you can see, touch and climb on old Soviet tanks, rocket launchers, and aeroplanes.Across the street is a Moldovan prison that should deter all visitors from breaking local law. It is not unusual to see family members outside the prison walls, conversing with inmates and throwing them packages.Also there are many excellent restaurants all serving Moldova's national treasure - its wine! Wine and food are very reasonable - a two course meal with wine can cost €10 per person.There are some excellent day trips to Cricova - the underground winery - an underground city where the streets are named after the wines kept there: Aligote, Riesling, Codru, and Feteasca. The wines from this collection have an old history: the oldest bottle dates back to 1902. Local guides will explain the odyssey of some of the bottles that arrived there after the second world war. And of course there are wine tastings.UK visitors need visas which can be obtained on arrival at the airport for $60. The best way to get to Moldova is with Malev Hungarian Airlines via Budapest or travel overland by overnight train via Bucharest, Romania. However you will need to get a visa in advance in Bucharest as they are not issued on land borders. Contact me if you want more information: Andrea@regent-holidays.co.uk Andrea GodfreyBristol· You should read the amusing but patronising Playing the Moldovans at Tennis by Tony Hawks. Anyone who's been to Moldova can't quibble with the world-weary feel Hawks portrays, but for the curious explorer it's a gem. This is not the stuff of which Western tourism is made, but there is much to be learned.Moldova stands at a historical waypoint of Europe, and has consequently been regularly flattened by armies marching east and west, suffering particularly in the second world war. The capital, Chisinau (English follows the Russian Kishinev, but Moldova is historically and ethnically predominantly Romanian, even after Soviet Russification) surprisingly retains many interesting sites and buildings. Across the country, some churches and monasteries have been re-commissioned since Soviet times. Other attractions may include factories and the like - Soviet trumpeting of industry was standard procedure and old habits die hard! A visit to the "Transnistria Republic" provides a telling corrective to any romantic notions about communism. This slice of Moldova around Tiraspol, east of the River Dniestr, has declared itself a republic, retaining the rouble and communism. Despite this technical state of civil war the de facto border is open for those wishing to sample the delights.Moldova's other plus points? Excellent alcohol (fantastic wine, champagne and brandy) and ice cream. It is Europe's poorest country so your pound goes a very long way (but watch out for the organised crime). Wells in the countryside - marvellous drinking water. Very friendly people.Getting there? Difficult to find correct information on the web. The simple but dearer option is to fly Air Moldova direct. Cheaper, more fun, but fiddly on the transit visas, there used to be the overnight London - Lviv coach, and then the overnight train into Chisinau. Entry via Romania is also possible.Julian LewisLondonhttp://travel.guardian.co.uk/askatraveller/story/0,,1041079,00.htmlp.s. cer scuze daca s-a repetat :))))