Ukraine, Moldova and Eastern Romania
Holiday Highlights
- Explore an almost undiscovered part of Europe
- Visit Odessa’s main attractions
- Cricova Winery and wine tasting
- Painted Monasteries
- Moldovita narrow gauge steam railway
- Iaşi tram charter
- Comfortable “homestay” village accommodation
- 11 Days from £2,676pp
Tour Dates:
Wednesday 23 June to Saturday 3 July 2021
UK’s Leading Specialist Operator to Romania
From Odessa (Ukraine) we travel into Moldova to explore its capital, Chişinau, and rural villages, then cross into Romania to Iaşi, Bucovina and the Painted Monasteries. We ride three different rail gauges from the USSR broad gauge to the small Romanian former forestry steam line at Moldovita and enjoy wonderful scenery.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Flight to Odessa, Ukraine
Morning flight from London for a late afternoon arrival in Odessa. 2 nights in a centrally located hotel.
Day 2 – Odessa
Morning tour of Odessa including a visit to the large, famous Privoz Market followed by lunch and an excursion to the Shustov Cognac Museum for brandy tasting.
Day 3 – By Train to Chişinau
Free morning followed by an afternoon visit to the Catacombs, the world’s largest labyrinth of tunnels which includes a former Soviet atomic shelter. Evening train to Chişinau (Moldova) for 2 nights.
Day 4 – Rural Moldova
We drive to the remote village of Butuceni, nestling deep in a river valley and dominated by its tiny monastery on a cliff top. Lunch here (included), then drive to the Cricova winery for an underground tour of this vast complex. Wine tasting included.
Day 5 – Across the Border
Explore Chişinau before catching the late afternoon train to Romania. At the border, our train is lifted to replace the Russian broad gauge bogies with those for the European standard gauge. We reach Iaşi in the late evening. Transfer to our hotel.
Day 6 – Iaşi by Tram
Iaşi is a tram enthusiast’s paradise as the entire city network is operated by second hand trams of the 60s, 70s and 80s from various German cities. We hire a tram for the morning to tour the system followed by some free time to explore in the afternoon. Dinner this evening is at a local traditional restaurant (included).
Day 7 – Moldovita Painted Monastery
Today we continue our journey by train to Vama for a 2-night stay. Afternoon visit to the Moldovita Painted Monastery nearby. Evening meal at our guest house.
Day 8 – Moldovita Railway and Sucevita Monastery
Ride the scenic Moldovita narrow gauge steam railway, visit the Sucevita painted monastery and enjoy a stunning drive through mountain scenery.
Day 9 – Across the Carpathians to Transylvania
After a short visit to Voronet Monastery and the regional market town of Gura Humorului, we catch the main line train for the very scenic journey over the Carpathian Mountains to Lunca Ilvei. From here we have a short drive to the remote Valea Mare near Sant where we find an evening meal ready at our guest house.
Day 10 – Cluj Napoca
Morning drive to Cluj with a free afternoon to explore the city before a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 11 – Cluj Napoca to London
Transfer to the airport for the flight to London, arriving mid-afternoon.
Due to the limited number of rooms in “homestay” accommodation, this tour will be limited to 12 persons.
Selected Hotels
Alexandrovskiy Hotel, Odessa
Hotel Jazz, Chişinau
Unirea Hotel, Iaşi
Bucovina Lodge, Vama
Pensiunea Roua de Munte, Sant
Grand Hotel Napoca, Cluj Napoca
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
- Rail travel as specified
- Other travel by private mini-coach
- Hotel accommodation in Odessa, Chişinau, Iaşi and Cluj
- Other accommodation in good quality guest houses with en-suite facilities
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 evening meals
- Admissions to all venues listed above
- Airport and other transfers
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour plus local professional guides within Ukraine, Moldova and Romania
Price per person
Escorted holiday: | £2,676 |
Single room supplement: | £325 |
Deposit for this holiday: | £200 |