crossing into Moldavia

[Moving]

Maybe I am confused but looking at the map does not seem so far

easy to cross into Moldavia from Odessa? Whats the first moldavian city I will meet? and how far is Chinisau

is Moldavia so messed up as they say? apparently is the poorest country on european soil?

Moldova and Bielorussia are the 2 of my dream countries and the last one I want to see before abandoning any holiday plan related to Europe.

[P-N]

A bus runs from Odessa to Moldova twice a day - 27 UAH and takes about 6 hours to get to the Moldovan Capital. 

[JonathanCampion]

I think you're right about it being the poorest European nation, but, being the home of Dragostin Din Tei, can lay claim to riches of the cultural kind!

[Diana]

Yes, it's true. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, but you can trust me that there are very hospitable people. Chisinau is a nice city. I suggest you to visit it. Next week I was there to show it to my French friends. They really enjoied Chisinau and Moldavian cuisine of course. You can go to the restaurant "La roata vremii". I like very much this place. If you have time, do not hesitate to visit Cricova Cellars http://www.cricova.md/eng/cellars/

[P-N]

Yes, it's true. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, but you can trust me that there are very hospitable people. Chisinau is a nice city. I suggest you to visit it. Next week I was there to show it to my French friends. They really enjoied Chisinau and Moldavian cuisine of course. You can go to the restaurant "La roata vremii". I like very much this place. If you have time, do not hesitate to visit Cricova Cellars http://www.cricova.md/eng/cellars/

I like Moldova a lot - it is poor only financially and wealthy in every other respect. 

[Diana]

Thank you Pompey-Nik. It's my country and I adore it 

[P-N]

Thank you Pompey-Nik. It's my country and I adore it 

D, the guys who I employ to build houses are from Moldova - a better group of people you couldn't find.  I go fairly often to their village, (Godfather to one of the men's daughters - Nanu? in Moldovani?).  Forget the name but it is on the river and you can see Romania on the other side.

Rich in culture, heritage and fantastic red wine 

[Moving]

A bus runs from Odessa to Moldova twice a day - 27 UAH and takes about 6 hours to get to the Moldovan Capital. 

THIS IS THE BEST PIECE OF NEWS I COULD EVER HOPE FOR!!! REALLY MATE I AM CRYING OF HAPPINESS.

I WILL CROSS INTO MOLDOVA AND GO TO TRANSDNIESTR AND TAKE PHOTOSHOTS OF THE LOCAL FOLK. THEN I WILL DO MY BEST TO SELL THOSE SHOTS!!!

THIS MOLDOVA THING WILL BE THE HUGEST TRAVEL SHOCK OF MY LIFE HOPEFULLY.

WHATS THE FIRST CITY I WILL MEET WHEN CROSSING BORDER?

every weekend an italian guy will leave for Moldova, if you wanna join feel welcome.

May God bless I chose Odessa.

With best compliments

A.

[P-N]

TRANSDNIESTR can be a little volatile at times (although I have never encountered a problem) and recent moves politically between the leaders of Moldova and the "independant state" leaders (I believe they met again last week) should make it a safe and enjoyable visit if that is where you are intending to go.

If Belarussia "floats your boat" as well , Minsk is a nice city and I would also recommend a trip to Georgia to........again nice people and good wine 

Another bonus for you as an Italian guy is Moldovani has a heavy leaning towards Latin, so despite all being fluent in Russian, you will understand a massive amount of local dialect.  As I have posted before, It took me only a few weeks to learn enough spoken Moldovani to get by.  (Then again I still read a fair bit of Latin - you can't beat the Old Masters like Dante in his mother tongue - too much is lost in translation  

[Carlushika]

Sorry to be joining the thread late (as usual).

I have to agree with Nick and Diana!

To the West, Moldova. Friendliest people you could ever hope to meet. Once accepted into their circle of friends, you have a friend for life. Warning - they love to party! Oh, hell, that's not a bad thing! The red wine is to die for - my favourite! Moldovan lamb stew is unbelievable. This was cooked in a huge urn-like drum on the beach in Moldova, a whole lamb, vegetables, herbs, the works. Can't wait for another!

To the East, Georgia. Genuine people, warm and friendly. Again, once you know them, they are friends for life too! Georgian red wine must rank amongst the best in the world. Cuisine, a delight! In fact, our favourite Odessa restaurant is Georgian owned with real Georgian fayre on the menu.

Maybe we ought to return to Ukraine sooner than we planned! Must discuss with beloved tonight!

[Moving]

hey, everyone ever wondered why if you google stuff like "russian courses Moldova" nothing come out?

My moldovan teacher told me that probably there are no private school doing russian for foreigners and i was a bit surprised: the country might be a bit primitive...but how comes no russian for foreigners?

tell you a story now

we have got here this big boss of D-Mail, he goes to Chinisau on bizness often and hire a university russian language tutor: he pays as little as 5 euros per hour (teacher come to his place) despite teacher only required sth like the equivalent of 4 euros.

[SilverBullet]

Maybe I am confused but looking at the map does not seem so far

easy to cross into Moldavia from Odessa? Whats the first moldavian city I will meet? and how far is Chinisau

is Moldavia so messed up as they say? apparently is the poorest country on european soil?

Moldova and Bielorussia are the 2 of my dream countries and the last one I want to see before abandoning any holiday plan related to Europe.

Moldova is not messed up but the breakaway region Transnistria between Ukriane and Moldova is a serous mess and stuck in old Soviet time. You have to cross this region in order to get to Moldova. Transnistria is a dangerous region, ruled by thugs involved in drugs, illegal arms sale, prostitution, smuggeling, whatever crime there is that can generate money. Whatever you do, don't get strandet in Transnistria, you will be on your own. You can fly to Moldova instead. There are direct flights from Kyiv to Chisinau, perhaps from Odessa too? Many locals might say it is no problem in Transnistria but they take too easy on the situation. For more information - just serch for Transnistria on this board, several video clips are posted from the area. You might also want to check out the travel warnings about the region posted on the US State Departments web site and also the British Government web site too. Moldova is a beautiful country, known for pretty women and excellent wine   

[Moving]

Interesting Silver Bullet

probably my teacher think confident because she is moldovan and her italian boyfriend too because knew he was travelling with a local

i will try to establish contact with a student organization which organize summer universities there, but really i want to go.

...is Transdniestr really so bad?

has any of you been there?

[ecocks]

Personally, I think you're nuts if you are looking into an R&R session in the Transnistra.

I asked around among some of my Ukrainian friends in case my sense of things was a little dated and the advice (still) is if you have to transit, go straight through without stopping.  It isn't a place to hang out for a little wine and cheese party if you stand out in any way.  Smuggling is still a way of life - drugs, women, guns, cigarettes, etc.  Several companies have pulled their people out of there and don't route shipments of product or employee travel through that area.  There was a story about a year or so ago about an Italian businessman who survived a kidnap attempt in which his security guard/driver was shot and he was pistol-whipped.

Several folks have reported good times in Chisnau and Moldova seems to be much more calm and stable.  Most feel the train is safe enough but be prepared for a bit more enthusiastic search and questioning by the customs and border guards.

[rjm]

I was thinking of going to Kishinev in July by bus from Odesa.

What is the situation in Transdneistr? Do I need a visa? Do I even travel through it rom Odesa?

Does anyone have any recent experiences of this trip?

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