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Discovering Moldova

Moldova is another fairly new country that you shouldn’t fail to put on your list of potential travel destinations. In spite of its young age, having attained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country is already starting to establish a reputation based on its rich culture and interesting history. Located in the eastern part of Europe and bordered by Ukraine and Romania, this country was once part of the historic Ottoman Empire of Russia. It has gone through much development in terms of culture which is mainly attributed to the long years of being under the rule of the Russian Empire. In fact, the Moldovan culture as it is known today is a mixture of Latin and Slavic cultures which are incorporated into the country’s own practices. The end result is an identity that is unique to this small and young European country.

Culture

Much of the culture of Moldova was influenced by Romanian traditions and its prevalence can go back to as early as the second century A.D. According to archeological artifacts, Moldovans have the same ethnic origins as Romanians and this probably explains why the two tend to mirror each other in terms of practices and even in their language.

Identifying the country’s major language has caused quite a controversy after Moldova acquired its independence from the Soviet Union. In its declaration of independence, the state language was identified as Romanian but the country’s constitution states the language as Moldovan. In essence, both languages come from the same family and even use the same literary form.

Wine festival

The month of October is the best time to visit Moldova mainly because its popular wine festival happens around this time. Spring is also an ideal season for many tourist activities as the country is also known for its great hiking trails and breathtaking natural scenery. Even exploring the cities makes for a great travel adventure for many. Visit picturesque towns and cities that make one feel like time has stopped for the moment.

Attractions

There are many sights and attractions to visit in Moldova each one catering to a different type of personality. Visit the renowned Grand Duke of Moldovan wineries in Cricova and have a taste of one of the most popular products of the country. Cricova’s underground wine kingdom is well known for being one of the biggest wine storage facilities in Europe. It holds more than a million bottles of rare wine in its labyrinth cellars.

Orheiul Vechi is another place that you must visit when you come to Moldova. Many tourists consider it the most interesting travel destination in the country and for a very good reason. The area features a limestone carved architectural masterpiece in the Orheiul Vechi Monastery Complex. It has been drawing quite a huge crowd of tourists since it was first opened for viewing.

Struve Geodetic Arc

Another must-visit in Moldova is the Struve Geodetic Arc. This attraction consists of survey triangulations that have made it to the list of World Heritage Sites protected by the UNESCO. This arc is located in the Rudi village at the Soroca district.