Moldova
Departures 2027
Food Tour with Olia Hercules — 10th – 17th July
Per person
£3,500
Tucked between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is one of the least-visited countries in Europe — and one of its best-kept secrets. Village life here still moves to older rhythms: home winemaking in every courtyard, embroidery passed between generations, and a hospitality that stops you in your tracks.
This eight-day journey begins in Chișinău before settling into the villages around Trebujeni and Butuceni, travelling north to Soroca and south into Gagauzia. Two departures run in 2027: a food tour led with Olia Hercules in July, and a cultural adventure in October.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Chișinău & Trebujeni
We meet in Chișinău at midday for lunch at La Plăcinte, an introduction to Moldovan food. A guided walk through the city centre and the Ethnography Museum follows, with a local guide on the history and everyday life of the country. In the late afternoon we transfer to the village of Trebujeni for a welcoming dinner hosted by Svetlana.
Day 2 — Butuceni & Village Kitchens
A 7km walk to Butuceni and its monastery, with lunch at the EcoVillage and a visit to the village museum. In the late afternoon we join Mihai at his house for a plăcinta workshop, preparing traditional food before dinner with home-made wine and dancing.
Day 3 — Soroca & Roma Culture
North to the Carpet Museum near Bălți, then lunch in Mihailovka cooked by a friend’s mother in her own kitchen. We continue to Soroca for the fortress with a local guide, and the Roma district with its remarkable architecture, returning to Trebujeni for the evening.
Day 4 — Riscova EcoVillage
A morning exploring Riscova’s community and ecological projects, with a herbal tea-making workshop and lunch at the EcoVillage. The afternoon is a hands-on open cooking event with Olia and the Katalist kitchen, with dinner prepared as part of it.
Day 5 — South to Gagauzia
We travel south towards Valeni, stopping at a local winery and for a family-style lunch near Comrat to meet local people and experience Gagauz hospitality. We settle into accommodation at the Bread Museum, with an excursion around the area, an evening village walk and a welcoming dinner in Valeni.
Day 6 — Wetlands, Music & Drum Makers
A boat trip and birdwatching in the wetlands with people from the biosphere reserve. In the afternoon we visit local musicians and drum makers to hear about the region’s musical tradition, before dinner at Svitlana’s house accompanied by a local band.
Day 7 — Beekeepers & Return to Chișinău
A morning with local beekeepers and on towards Sofraz, with lunch and a food workshop learning to prepare local dishes, and a possible winery visit. We continue to Chișinău in the later afternoon for our final dinner together.
Day 8 — Markets & Farewell
A last morning at the EcoLocal farmers’ market and Piața Centrală, exploring local produce, food and crafts, with time to take something home. A final lunch with the group brings the journey to a close.
What's Included
Accommodation throughout — village guesthouses in Trebujeni, the Bread Museum in Valeni and a hotel in Chișinău
All meals, including family-hosted dinners and the food workshops
All transport within Moldova, with airport transfers
All listed visits — museums, Soroca Fortress, wineries, the biosphere reserve boat trip
Nataliya as your host throughoutNot included: international flights and travel insurance.
